Friday - Jeremiah 24 - Rotten Fruit

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ERE in Jeremiah 24 we have a comparison of obedient and disobedient Jews to two kinds of fruit – fresh & rotten. God commanded the Jews of Jerusalem and Judah to surrender to the invading Babylonians. Some did, others did not. Those who did that which God expected from them were likened to fine fresh figs that were just ripe; perfect. Those who rejected that which God expected from them were likened to rotten figs; worthless, valueless refuse. It really is no more complicated than that. God promised to bless those Jews who were willingly humble and submissive. And, He threatened (not hollowly either) to hurt, scatter and destroy the Jews who stubbornly rebelled against His design. One basket of figs was appealing, & the other was appalling. To God, one set of Jews was appealing; the other appalling.

What about with you and me; are we appealing to God, or are we appalling? Does the stench of our disobedience cause God to wish we were gone from His sight (Genesis 6:6)? When His demands are humbling (as they were for the defeated Jews), are we willing to follow them anyway? Are you and I good figs, or are we naughty figs? It's all about trust. The Jews didn't trust God to protect them in the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. And, without faith we can't bring any pleasure to God's heart (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith, we are all bad apples.