Jeremiah

Jeremiah 24: Two baskets of figs

Begin in prayer

Before we look at two baskets of figs with Jeremiah, let us bow before the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to give us hearts that know Him, to strengthen our family, and to show us Christ, who brings His people home.

Won’t you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalms 85:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You look on Your people for good, and that You give a heart to know You. Show us Christ, who brings sinners home to You, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jeremiah sees two baskets of figs set before the LORD’s temple, after Nebuchadnezzar had carried Jeconiah and the leaders of Judah to Babylon (verse 1). One basket held good figs, and the other held figs so bad they could not be eaten (verse 2). The LORD says He will regard the exiles of Judah for good, and bring them back to this land (verses 5 and 6). He will give them a heart to know Him, and they will return to Him with their whole heart (verse 7). Zedekiah and those who remain in Jerusalem, or who dwell in Egypt, will be given up to the sword (verses 8 to 10).

As you read Jeremiah 24, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sets His eyes on His people for good, and gives them a heart to know Him.

Nebuchadnezzar had carried Jeconiah and the leaders of Judah to Babylon, and Jeremiah saw this vision of two baskets (verse 1). The good figs were like the first ripe figs, and they picture the exiles whom the LORD regards for good (verses 2 and 5). The LORD will set His eyes on these exiles for good, and will bring them back to this land (verses 5 and 6). He will give them a heart to know Him, and they will return to Him with their whole heart (verse 7). The bad figs could not be eaten, and the LORD says the people who refuse Him will be judged (verses 8 to 10). Only God can give a new heart, and He gives it through Jesus Christ. Jesus bore the judgment that sinners deserved.

How does Jeremiah 24 show us that the LORD sets His eyes on His people for good, and gives them a heart to know Him?

The LORD looks on His people for good.

The good figs were like the first ripe figs, and the LORD regards these exiles for good (verses 2 and 5). He will bring them back to this land and build them up (verse 6). Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gathers His people.

The LORD gives a heart to know Him.

He will give them a heart to know Him, and they will return to Him with their whole heart (verse 7). Only God can give this heart, and those who come to Christ in repentance and faith have received it. Ask the LORD for that new heart, and come to Jesus today.

Those who refuse the LORD will be judged.

The bad figs were so bad that they could not be eaten (verse 2). Zedekiah and those who remain would be given up to the sword, famine and pestilence (verses 8 to 10). Jesus warns that judgment is real.

Memorize

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Yahweh

Jeremiah 24:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I need a new heart from the LORD, and will I ask Jesus?

Jeremiah answered the LORD, “Figs. The good figs are very good, and the bad are very bad, so bad that can’t be eaten.” The good figs picture the exiles whom the LORD had set His eyes on for good. The bad figs picture those who refuse Him, and they could not be eaten.

Every one of us is like the bad figs by nature, and we cannot make ourselves good. Jesus came to bear the judgment that sinners deserved. At the cross He took the punishment for His people’s sin, and God raised Him from the dead on the third day. His finished work is enough for every believer, and God gives His people a heart to know Him.

So come to Jesus with your whole heart. Turn from your sin and trust Him, and ask the LORD to give you a heart that knows Him. Whoever turns to Jesus in faith will be forgiven, and God will be their God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD looks on His people for good, and that He gives a heart to know Him. Parents, you may want to explain verses 8 to 10 gently, since they describe judgment on those who refuse the LORD. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to come to Jesus with a whole heart, and pray that God would soften their hearts toward Him.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He looks on His people for good, and bring the heart question to Him. Then give each child a moment to pray.

Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

Psalms 119:36

Lord, thank You that You look on Your people for good and give them a heart to know You. Forgive our hard and unfaithful hearts. Bring each of us home to You through Jesus, who bore the judgment we deserved. Help us to return to You with our whole heart this week. Amen.