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Reading Plan · Day 230

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Jeremiah 22-24

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Previously · Day 229 · Jeremiah 19-21

The previous day's reading covered king Zedekiah sending Pashhur and Zephaniah to Jeremiah to enquire of God for them regarding Nebuchadnezzar. Judgment was close...

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Where You Stopped

Jeremiah 22

1Thus said Jehovah: Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,

1Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,

Commentary · verse 1

God sent Jeremiah to the king of Judah's house…

2and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates.

3Thus saith Jehovah: Execute ye justice and righteousness, and deliver him that is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence, to the sojourner, the fatherless, nor the widow; neither shed innocent blood in this place.

2And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:

3Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Commentary · verses 2-3

Jeremiah proclaimed God's Word to the king. The king was told to execute Justice and Righteousness…the rest of the commands were effects of Right and Just.

Doctrines on this passage

4For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.

4For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.

Commentary · verse 4

If the king did this, the kingdom would be prolonged.

5But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith Jehovah, that this house shall become a desolation.

5But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

Commentary · verse 5

If the king did not do this, God would make his house a desolation.

6For thus saith Jehovah concerning the house of the king of Judah: Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon; yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.

7And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons; and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

6For thus saith the LORD unto the king’s house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.

7And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

Commentary · verses 6-7

The "destroyers" were the Babylonians.

8And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbor, Wherefore hath Jehovah done thus unto this great city?

9Then they shall answer, Because they forsook the covenant of Jehovah their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

8And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?

9Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

Commentary · verses 8-9

The people who saw the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah would know it was because the Jews forsook their God and worshipped other gods.

10Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him; but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

11For thus saith Jehovah touching Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, and who went forth out of this place: He shall not return thither any more;

10Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

11For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:

Commentary · verses 10-11

Shallum was the same man called Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:30-34). He was the seventeenth king of Judah.

12but in the place whither they have led him captive, there shall he die, and he shall see this land no more.

12But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.

Commentary · verse 12

Shallum, the son of Josiah, would be sent in the captivity and would never see his land again. Josiah was the great-grandson of Hezekiah, the grandson of Manasseh.

Commentary · verses 13-19

Verses 13-19: transitioned to speaking about Jehoiakim, the eighteenth king of Judah.

13Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; that useth his neighbor’s service without wages, and giveth him not his hire; 14that saith, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

15Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him.

13Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

14That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

15Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?

Commentary · verse 15

Jehoiakim was given the causes of his father's profitable reign, Josiah did Righteousness and Justice. Only Jehoiakim was to blame if he chose to DO other than Righteousness and Justice.

Doctrines on this passage

16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah.

16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.

Commentary · verse 16

Josiah, the sixteenth and greatest king of Judah, judged the cause of the poor and needy.

17But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

17But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

Commentary · verse 17

Jehoiakim's eyes were covetous, he shed innocent blood, and oppressed the people violently.

18Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! They shall not lament for him, saying Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!

19He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

18Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!

19He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

Commentary · verse 19

Jehoiakim would be buried with the burial of a donkey. This meant he would have the same burial in that he would be left as prey for beasts and birds.

20Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from Abarim; for all thy lovers are destroyed.

20Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.

Commentary · verse 20

God led Jeremiah to Bashan. Bashan was a district east of the Jordan known for its fruitfulness which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Actually, "Bashan" meant "fruitful." Abarim was the mountain range in Bashan that Jeremiah was to speak from.

Commentary · verses 21-30

Verses 21-30: the judgment of Coniah (Jehoiachin), the nineteenth king of Judah.

21I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.

22The wind shall feed all thy shepherds, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

23O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how greatly to be pitied shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

24As I live, saith Jehovah, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

21I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.

22The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

23O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

24As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

Commentary · verse 24

Coniah (Jehoiachin) was king of Judah only three months before Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem and took him into captivity.

25and I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them of whom thou art afraid, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.

26And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.

25And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.

26And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.

Commentary · verse 26

Coniah and his mother would die in captivity.

27But to the land whereunto their soul longeth to return, thither shall they not return.

28Is this man Coniah a despised broken vessel? is he a vessel wherein none delighteth? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into the land which they know not?

29O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of Jehovah.

27But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.

28Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?

29O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Commentary · verse 29

The word "earth" was repeated three times here as emphasis on what was to take place concerning Coniah.

30Thus saith Jehovah, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no more shall a man of his seed prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling in Judah.

30Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

Commentary · verse 30

Coniah would not have a son sit on the throne as he did.

Where You Stopped

Jeremiah 23

1Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah.

1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

Commentary · verse 1

This chapter began with a warning to shepherds (pastors) that destroyed and scattered God's sheep (Israel/believers)…

2Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, against the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith Jehovah.

2Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Commentary · verse 2

God said He would bring to them the evil of their doings. God was Just.

3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and multiply.

4And I will set up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be lacking, saith Jehovah.

3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

Commentary · verses 3-4

God would gather the remnant of His flock and set them back under the care of His pastors who would care for them, and then they would be profitable.

5Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Commentary · verse 5

Christ is the Righteous Branch who will execute Justice and Righteousness on earth. Christ would (and did) deal wisely while on earth, His actions were (and are) profitable.

Doctrines on this passage

6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.

6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Commentary · verse 6

Judah and Israel would be saved and Christ's name will be called Jehovah our Righteousness. This name came from the Hebrew words: Yĕhovah tsidqenuw - "Jehovah is our Righteousness."

7Therefore, behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that they shall no more say, As Jehovah liveth, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; 8but, As Jehovah liveth, who brought up and who led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all the countries whither I had driven them. And they shall dwell in their own land.

7Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

8But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

Commentary · verses 7-8

People would start saying of God that He was the One who brought up Israel out of captivity and back to their own land.

9Concerning the prophets. My heart within me is broken, all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of Jehovah, and because of his holy words.

9Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

Commentary · verse 9

Jeremiah felt deep compassion because of God's Words.

10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. And their course is evil, and their might is not right; 11for both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith Jehovah.

10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.

11For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

Commentary · verses 10-11

The prophets and the priests of the land were profane: defiled, corrupt.

12Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein; for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah.

13And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied by Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.

12Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

13And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.

Commentary · verses 12-13

The prophets caused other people to err, the other people being God's people.

14In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies; and they strengthen the hands of evil-doers, so that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them become unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

14I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

Commentary · verse 14

These prophets and priests facilitated evildoers and were compared to the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah.

15Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem is ungodliness gone forth into all the land.

15Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

Commentary · verse 15

The ungodliness of the prophets had spread throughout the land. Their actions were affecting all of Israel.

16Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah.

16Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

Commentary · verse 16

God, through Jeremiah, told the people that the false prophets were making them unprofitable and that they spoke visions from their own hearts. They prophesied for their own benefit. True prophesying benefits other people.

17They say continually unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you.

17They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

Commentary · verse 17

The false prophets were telling the ungodly that they would have peace and no evil.

18For who hath stood in the council of Jehovah, that he should perceive and hear his word? who hath marked my word, and heard it?

19Behold, the tempest of Jehovah, even his wrath, is gone forth, yea, a whirling tempest: it shall burst upon the head of the wicked.

18For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?

19Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

Commentary · verses 18-19

The wicked would experience God's wrath first hand.

20The anger of Jehovah shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall understand it perfectly.

20The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

Commentary · verse 20

Clearly the ungodly did not understand God. However, after they experienced His judgment, they would later understand.

21I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I spake not unto them, yet they prophesied.

22But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

23Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off?

24Can any hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? saith Jehovah. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith Jehovah.

21I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

22But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

23Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?

24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Commentary · verses 21-24

God saw all. God could be present in more than one place at one time: omnipresent.

25I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

26How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart?

27that think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgat my name for Baal.

28The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? saith Jehovah.

25I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

26How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;

27Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.

28The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

Commentary · verses 25-28

The wheat was still good even if there was straw (chaff). God's Word (wheat) was still good even if there was evil (chaff) surrounding it.

29Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Commentary · verse 29

God's Word (fire) consumed the evil (chaff). God's Word was like a hammer (to pound) which would break up the fallow ground: Jeremiah 4:3.

30Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.

31Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

32Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah.

30Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

31Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

Commentary · verses 30-32

God was (and is) against the false prophets. The false prophets' words would be a burden on themselves.

33And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of Jehovah? then shalt thou say unto them, What burden! I will cast you off, saith Jehovah.

34And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of Jehovah, I will even punish that man and his house.

35Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, What hath Jehovah answered? and, What hath Jehovah spoken?

36And the burden of Jehovah shall ye mention no more: for every man’s own word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of Jehovah of hosts our God.

33And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

34And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.

35Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?

36And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man’s word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

Commentary · verses 33-36

God told the false prophets He would bring an everlasting reproach on the people who claimed to speak God's Word but actually did not.

37Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath Jehovah answered thee? and, What hath Jehovah spoken?

38But if ye say, The burden of Jehovah; therefore thus saith Jehovah: Because ye say this word, The burden of Jehovah, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of Jehovah; 39therefore, behold, I will utterly forget you, and I will cast you off, and the city that I gave unto you and to your fathers, away from my presence: 40and I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.

37Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?

38But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;

39Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:

40And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.

Where You Stopped

Jeremiah 24

Commentary · verses 1-10

This chapter began prophecies of the Babylonian captivity…

1Jehovah showed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs set before the temple of Jehovah, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the craftsmen and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

1The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

Commentary · verse 1

God gave Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs.

2One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.

2One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.

Commentary · verse 2

One basket was good. One basket was evil.

3Then said Jehovah unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, that cannot be eaten, they are so bad.

3Then said the LORD unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

Commentary · verse 3

God asked Jeremiah what he saw. Jeremiah saw good and evil figs.

4And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 5Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good.

6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

4Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5Thus 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 into the land of the Chaldeans for their good.

6For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.

Commentary · verses 4-6

God said the good figs were those who were carried away to Babylon for good, the good (right and just) people. God would acknowledge them and bring them again to their land and build (growth) them up.

7And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Jehovah: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

Commentary · verse 7

God would give them a heart to know Him, they would be His people and He would be their God, because they would return to Him with their whole heart.

8And as the bad figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad, surely thus saith Jehovah, So will I give up 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,

8And 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:

Commentary · verse 8

The bad figs were those of God's people who rejected Him. Zedekiah was the twentieth and final king of Judah. He was placed over Judah by Nebuchadnezzar. In 2 Kings 25, even Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon and his sons were killed in front of him.

9I will even give them up to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth for evil; to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

9And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

10And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

Commentary · verses 9-10

The evil figs would be sent away with the sword, famine, and pestilence among them.

Commentary · verse 10

This day's reading covered numerous prophecies concerning the kings of Judah before the captivity and prophecies concerning the captivity itself.

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