John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 24:4
Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. As follows; where an explanation is given of the above vision, to which this is a transition. read more
Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. As follows; where an explanation is given of the above vision, to which this is a transition. read more
Two baskets of figs. I. MORALLY MEN ARE DIVISIBLE INTO TWO DISTINCT CLASSES . The two baskets of figs represent two classes of Jews: the basket of good figs, Jeconiah and his followers; the basket of bad figs, Zedekiah and his party. The great distinction between these was moral. There were princes in both classes; yet the one stood far higher in the sight of God than the other. 1. The deepest line of cleavage which runs down through all sections of mankind is moral ... read more
The two baskets of figs; or, predetermining influences. These are not to be understood of the opposite development of character in two sets of persons in slightly differing circumstances, but rather of the primary influence of Divine faith as contrasted with the want of it amidst the trials of life. The people left behind were disposed to felicitate themselves over their brethren who had been carried off into Chaldea, but this impression is corrected by Jeremiah. The exiles were the true... read more
Calamity with God and without him. I. To THE CHILD OF GRACE . 1. It is a chastening . 2. A restoration . II. To THE UNGODLY . 1. The influence depreciating character . 2. A source of restlessness and fresh transgression . 3. An ever-increasing evil . 4. An ultimate destruction .—M. read more
Punished for salvation; left alone for destruction. A general principle of God's moral government. The flower of Judah, about to be deported to Babylon, are followed by the prophet with wistful gaze. They are the seed of the true Israel; whereas those who are allowed to remain quietly at home are to be of no account in God's purpose. I. HOW DIFFERENT OFTEN ARE THE EXTERNAL FROM THE SPIRITUAL PROSPECTS OF MEN ! Jeconiah and his companions might have been pitied... read more
The two baskets of figs; or, our character and destiny independent of our circumstances. I. THE SYMBOLS EMPLOYED . The two baskets of figs—one very good, the other very evil. But: 1. They had each the same advantages and disadvantages . The same seed, soil, training, climate, sunshine, and other influences teeming on them. 2. They were of directly opposite character . ( Jeremiah 24:2 .) II. THE PEOPLE REPRESENTED BY THEM . The men of Judah and... read more
The good and bad figs. I. CONSIDER THE FIGS GENERALLY . We cannot, of course, say why figs should be chosen rather than another fruit, though the choice can hardly be a mere accident. Some reason probably appeared to the observant of that time which we are without sufficient information to discover. Possibly the goodness of good fruits was more obvious against the badness of bad ones, in the case of the fig than in the case of other fruits. It is to be noticed also that the... read more
The complete fulfillment of this prophecy belongs to the Christian Church. There is a close analogy between Jeremiah at the first destruction of Jerusalem and our Lord at the second. There the good figs were those converts picked out by the preaching of Christ and the Apostles; the bad figs were the mass of the people left for Titus and the Romans to destroy.Jeremiah 24:5Acknowledge ... for their good - Specially their spiritual good. Put a comma after Chaldaeans.Jeremiah 24:8That dwell in the... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 24:1-10
This short chapter helps us to put a very comfortable construction upon a great many long ones, by showing us that the same providence which to some is a savour of death unto death may by the grace and blessing of God be made to others a savour of life unto life; and that, though God's people share with others in the same calamity, yet it is not the same to them that it is to others, but is designed for their good and shall issue in their good; to them it is a correcting rod in the hand of a... read more