Good and Bad Figs

“Good and bad figs” reminds us that obedience isn’t always obvious—sometimes God’s will leads through exile to restoration and blessing.

“Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the captives of Judah … But like the bad figs … so will I give up Zedekiah king of Judah … and the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land.”—Jeremiah 24:5–8 NASB

God showed Jeremiah two baskets of figs: some good, some bad. But more than just figs, this was a picture of His people.

The Lord spoke after Babylon carried Judah’s people into exile. We might assume that He would praise those who resolutely opposed Babylon and fought against exile.

However, to God, the good figs were those who had gone into exile. Calling them “My people,” He promised them great blessings and spiritual riches. He also predicted they would “return to Me wholeheartedly” (v. 7 NASB).

In contrast, the bad figs were those who stayed in the land or moved to Egypt. He abandoned them, making “them an object of terror and an evil for all the kingdoms of the earth.” They were scattered and became “a disgrace” (v. 9 NASB).

God pronounce this judgment because this was His plan. They may not have understood, but He wanted to transform people who had been taken into exile. There they would have time to reflect on their actions, call on God again, put aside their evil ways, and seek a renewed relationship with Him.

Make sure that you are one of the “good figs.” Be sensitive to God’s will and obey Him, even when you don’t understand what He’s doing.

Reflection Question: How is God asking you to trust Him even when it doesn’t make sense?