Jeremiah 24

God sheweth Jeremiah two baskets of figs the one with very good and the other with very naughty figs verse 1 he instructeth him thereby concerning the mercy which he would shew to some captives and the judgments which he will bring upon the rest ,4,5.

1. The Lord causeth me to see [to wit a vision or in a vision such things as follows compare above chapter 11 verse 18 and see Genesis 15 on verse 1and 46 on verse 2 Amos 7:1,4,7 and 8.1] and behold there were two baskets of figs set before the temple of the Lord after that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel had carried away captive Jechonia [see above chapter 22.24] the son of Jesia king of Judah together with the princes of Judah the carpenters and the smiths [Heb. The carpenters or workmen signifying both carpenters and smiths and the smiths or properly the lock-maker oth. Porter also rich merchants he that locketh up many wares, or lock up setteth them to sake so 2Kings 24.16 and below chapter 29.2] from Jerusalem and had brought them to Babel.

2. In one basket were very good figs as the first ripe figs are :[Compare Mich.7.1.with the annotate]but in the other basket were very naughty figs ,which by reason of their naughtinesse could not be eaten.

3. And the LORD said unto me ;seest thou , Jeremiah? And l said, figs :the good figs are very good ,and the naughty are very naughty, which cannot be eaten by reason of their naughtiness.

4. Then came the word of the LORD unto me ,saying :

5. Thus saith the LORD the God of Israel; Like those good figs :[Some supply these words thus :As these figs are good :or as thou knowest these good figs &.vers8.] so will l know [esteem them as gracious and acceptable ,take care of them. See Psalms 1: vers6.] them that are carried away captive of Judah;[Hebrew .the captive carried away ,leading away ,as elsewhere often] whom l have sent away out of these place to the land of Chaldeans, for good . [These words for good , may in a good fence be joined to the word known , or to the word sent away :for God knoweth his for their good ; and he had sent away and hastened those that were his [whom he had among the captives]for their good, as intending to restore again and build up his church out them, as followeth]

6. And l will set my eyes upon them for good ,[Compare 1 Kings 8.vers.29. and Psalms.32.vers.8.also below chapter.39.12.and 40.4.As on the contrary to set eyes against a man, is taken in a bad sense. see Amos.9.4.The phrase in the Hebrew is alike ,but is expounded by that which is joined with it :and the Hebrew particle signisieth upon ,over and also against according to the nature and quality of the thing] and will bring them again into this land :[Compare above chapter 16.15.] and l will bring them , [Compare Psalms 28.vers.5.] and not break them down ;and plant them ,and not pluck them up.

7. And l will give them a heart to know me ,that l am the LORD :[Compare Deut.30.6. Ezekiel .11.19. and 36.26.27.]and they shall be a people unto me ,[See Levit.26.vers .12.] and l will be God unto them [see Genesis .17.vers .7 compare below chapter .30.22.and31.33.and32.38.] for they shall return unto me with their whole heart .

8. And as the naughty figs , which by the reason of their naughtiness can not be eaten ;[for surely thus saith the LORD]so l will make [Or appoint order oth. Deliver up and the next verse begins thus I will say deliver them &c compare below chapter 29.17] Zedekiah king of Judah together with his princes and the remnant of Jerusalem that remain in this land and them that dwell in the land of Egypt [that is them that shall dwell there at that time. See 2Kings 25.26 and below chapter 43.44.]

9. And I will deliver them up [or appoint make &c]for a commotion of evil until all the kingdoms of the earth [see above chapter 15.4 Deuteronomy 28 on verse 25] for a reproach and for a proverb for a taunt and for a curse in all places wither is shall have driven them.

10. And I will send the sword the famine and the pestilence among them till they shall be consumed out of the land which I had given unto them and their fathers.