Jeremiah 24

Jeremiah 24:5

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place, &c.

Thus saith the Lord; That basket of good figs represents those Jews, which are carried away into the captivity of Babylon; who, as they are humbled and bettered by their affliction, so shall be dealt with by me accordingly.

Jeremiah 24:6

For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land.

For I will take special care of them, both to preserve them there, and to bring them back again.

Jeremiah 24:8

And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt: &c.

The other basket of ill figs, which cannot be eaten, represents those Jews, that stay still stubbornly behind, and will needs follow Zedekiah, to rebel against the king of Babylon, and those that seek harbour in Egypt; and these shall speed accordingly, for I will give them up into the hands of the Chaldees: &c.