Jeremiah 24 Commentary
The Book of Jeremiah is a collection of prophetic utterances. It is a set of sermons delivered to a people that the LORD always hoped would forsake their wickedness and return to Him. There is no interest in chronological order. However, there is prophetic order – which is most important.
In accordance with the earlier word of the LORD, King Jeconiah, otherwise called Jehoiachin is deported to Babylon together with other members of the royal family and the skilled men of Jerusalem.
Then the LORD shows Jeremiah a picture of two baskets by the temple of the LORD. One basket has very good figs while the other basket has very bad figs, too bad to be eaten. King Jeconiah is part of the good figs. The LORD still has an interest in this team.
But importantly, and as we shall see in the gospel of Matthew, Jeconiah carried the seed from which the Messiah would be born. There was always a bigger picture in these events. The earlier attack was actually a rescue operation meant to preserve the seed, probably alongside the likes of Ezekiel, Daniel, and the three friends of Daniel. The last years of Judah were chaotic.
Zedekiah, a son of Josiah, remains in charge of the partially fallen nation. Jeremiah had elected to remain in Jerusalem, probably to continue his ministry. Will the people, the palace, priests, men and women on the streets repent?
The LORD would ravage Jerusalem further with famine as punishment. Again the hope is that men and women would see it and forsake idolatry. Zedekiah is one never to repent. But that is the story for the rest of Jeremiah.
By this time, Jeremiah is a well-respected prophet because the word of the LORD through the prophet’s mouth has come to bear fruit. The reader may want to ponder these events in view of the written word. It always comes to bear fruit. It should be trusted. The plans of the LORD are never empty words.
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