Jeremiah 24
PATARGUMENT.* Under the emblem of two baskets of figs, the prophet shews the different fates of those Jews who were parried captive with Jeconiah, and those that remained still in their own country with Zedekiah. *[dIAT. XXV. baskets of figs, as used to be offered up for first-fruits at the temple. (Sec Dent. xxvi. 2.) After that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive Jeconiah, &c.] See an account of Jeconiah’s captivity, 2 Kings xxiv. 12 — 14. This captivity was in tho eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, (ibid. ver. 12.)
Jeremiah 24:1
JLmEHOLD, two baskets of figs tvere set before the temple of the Lord. The vision represented two such 4M
Jeremiah 24:2
One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe. Such as were offered for the first-fruits; these were most valued for their goodness and rarity. (See Hos. ix! 10.)
Jeremiah 24:5
Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried aivay captive ofJudah. The Jews who were left in their own country thought themselves better beloved of God, than their brethren who were carried away captive: to check this vain confidence, God promises to shew the latter particular signs of his favour in a strange, land, and to shew distinguishing marks of his displeasure upon the former.
Jeremiah 24:6
I will bring Ahem again to this land. See xxix. And I will build them, and not pull them down.] This may be understood both of the prosperous estate God would give them in the land of their captivity, where they should both build houses and propagate their families, (see xxix. 5, C.) and likewise contains a promise of restoring them and their posterity to their own country. (Ibid. ver. 10.)
Jeremiah 24:7
And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord, &c. Compare xxix. 12, 13. To these first captives chiefly those blessings belong, which are promised to the Jews upon their return from captivity; such as were the knowledge and fear of God, and grace to live in obe-, dience to his commandments. (Compare xxx. 22. xxxi. 33. xxxii. 38, 39.) These were in some degree accomplished, in the times after the captivity, when the Jews adhered constantly to their religion, and were very careful of falling into idolatry: but I conceive the eminent completion of this prophecy will be at the time of the general restoration of that nation, so often mentioned in the prophets. (See the notes upon xxx. 3.)
Jeremiah 24:8
And them that dwell in the land of Egypt.". See chap, xliii. xliv.
Jeremiah 24:9
And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth, &c. All those judgments denounced against the obstinate and incorrigible shall be fulfilled in them. (See Deut. xxviii. 25. 37.1 Kings ix. 7.) A reproach.] See Dan. ix. 6. And a curse.] Men shall use this phrase as a form of execration, God make thee like Zedekiah. (Compare xxix. 22.) On the contrary, to make a man a blessing implies, that his name should be mentioned as a signal instance of God’s favour. (See Gen. xlviii. 20. Zech. viii. 13 4 )
Jeremiah 24:10
Till they be consumed from off the land that I gave to them and their fathers. My judgments shall follow them so close, both herfc and when they are carried into captivity, that neither they nor any of their posterity shall ever enjoy any share of their own country. (Compare Ezek. v. 12.)