One basket had very good figs, like those that
ripen early; the other basket had very poor figs, so bad they could not be
eaten. Jeremiah 24:2
Footnote: The good figs represented the exiles to Babylon
-- not because they themselves were good, but because their hearts would respond
to God. He would preserve them and bring them back to the land. The poor figs
represented those who remained in Judah or ran away to Egypt. Those people may
have arrogantly believed they would be blessed if they remained in the land or
escaped to Egypt, but the opposite was true because God would use the captivity
to refine the exiles. We may assume we are blessed when life goes well and
cursed when it does not. But trouble is a blessing when it makes us stronger,
and prosperity is a curse if it entices us away from God. If you are facing
trouble, ask God to help you grow stronger for him. If things are going your
way, ask God to help you use your prosperity for him.
25:2-6 Footnote: Imagine preaching the same message for
23 years and continually being rejected! Jeremiah faced this; but because he
had committed his life to God, he continued to proclaim the message -- "Turn
now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices." Regardless of
the people's response, Jeremiah did not give up. God never stops loving us,
even when we reject him. We can thank God that he won't give up on us, and like
Jeremiah, we can commit ourselves to never forsaking him. No matter how people
respond when you tell them about God, remain faithful to God's high call and
continue to witness for him.
This is what the Lord says: Stand in the
courtyard of the Lord's house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah
who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command
you; do not omit a word. Jeremiah 26:2
Footnote: God reminded Jeremiah that he wanted his entire
message given -- "Do not omit a word." Jeremiah may have been tempted to leave
out the parts that would turn his audience against him, would sound too harsh,
or would make him sound like a traitor. But by God's command, he was not to
delete parts of God's message to suit himself, his audience, or the
circumstances in which he found himself. Like Jeremiah, we must never ignore or
repress important parts of God's Word to please anyone.
Keep reading -- 141 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV
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