1. ostendit mihi Dominus et ecce duo calathi pleni ficis positi ante templum Domini postquam transtulit Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis Jechoniam filium Joachim regem Juda et principes ejus et fabrum et inclusorem de Hierusalem et adduxit eos in Babylonem
2. calathus unus ficus bonas habebat nimis ut solent ficus esse primi temporis et calathus unus ficus habebat malas nimis quæ comedi non poterant eo quod essent malæ
3. et dixit Dominus ad me quid tu vides Hieremia et dixi ficus ficus bonas bonas valde et malas malas valde quæ comedi non possunt eo quod sint malæ
4. et factum est verbum Domini ad me dicens
5. hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israël sicut ficus hæ bonæ sic cognoscam transmigrationem Juda quam emisi de loco isto in terram Chaldeorum in bonum
6. et ponam oculos meos super eos ad placandum et reducam eos in terram hanc et ædificabo eos et non destruam et plantabo eos et non evellam
7. et dabo eis cor ut sciant me quia ego sum Dominus et erunt mihi in populum et ego ero eis in Deum quia revertentur ad me in toto corde suo
8. et sicut ficus pessimæ quæ comedi non possunt eo quod sint malæ hæc dicit Dominus sic dabo Sedeciam regem Juda et principes ejus et reliquos de Hierusalem qui remanserunt in urbe hac et qui habitant in terra Ægypti
9. et dabo eos in vexationem adflictionemque omnibus regnis terræ in obprobrium et in parabolam et in proverbium et in maledictionem in universis locis ad quos ejeci eos
10. et mittam in eis gladium et famem et pestem donec consumantur de terra quam dedi eis et patribus eorum
Footnotes:
24:1-2 - Jeremiah sees a vision of two baskets of figs before the temple. The baskets symbolize the destiny of the people of Judah: one for exile and the other for restoration. The choice between good and evil is a matter of obedience to God (see also Deuteronomy 30:19-20 and Matthew 25:31-46).
24:3-7 - The good figs represent the exiles who will be restored, while the rotten figs represent those who will remain in Jerusalem and suffer destruction. The promise of restoration for the righteous, even in exile, is a sign of God's mercy (see also Isaiah 40:1-2 and Romans 8:28).
24:8-10 - The rotten figs represent the people who will remain in Judah and be destroyed by sword, famine, and pestilence. Choosing to follow evil leads to condemnation, while obedience to God brings restoration and peace (see also Ezekiel 5:12-13 and Matthew 7:13-14).
Verses related to Liber Ieremiae, 24:
Jeremiah chapter 24 presents the vision of the two baskets of figs. What future awaits the exiles and those who remained in Jerusalem? This symbolic text uses good and bad figs to illustrate the contrasting fates of the two groups. The chapter reveals God's surprising plan to bless the exiles and judge those who remained. Jeremiah 24 also promises a new heart to know God. Investigate with us five biblical passages that elucidate the deep themes of this intriguing chapter.
Amos 8:1-2: "The Sovereign Lord showed me this: a basket of ripe fruit. 'What do you see, Amos?' he asked. 'A basket of ripe fruit,' I replied. Then the Lord said to me, 'The end has come for my people Israel; I will spare him no more.'" - This vision of Amos uses fruit as a symbol of judgment, similar to the vision of figs in Jeremiah 24.
Matthew 21:43: "Therefore I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a people who bear the fruits of the Kingdom." - Jesus uses the metaphor of fruit to talk about the Kingdom of God, echoing the image of figs in Jeremiah 24.
Romans 11:5: "So now, too, there is a remnant chosen by grace." - Paul speaks of a faithful remnant, similar to the group represented by the good figs in Jeremiah 24.
Hosea 9:10: "When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first fruits of a fig tree. But when they came to Baal-peor, they consecrated themselves to that shameful idol and became as detestable as that which they loved." - Hosea uses the metaphor of fruit to describe Israel, similar to the vision of figs in Jeremiah 24.
Luke 13:6-9: "Then Jesus told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit in it, and found nothing. So I said to the one tending the vineyard: 'I've been looking for fruit on this fig tree for three years now and I can't find any. Cut it! Why let it waste the land?'' The man replied, 'Lord, leave it for another year, and I will dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, great! If not, you can cut it.'" - This parable of Jesus uses a fig tree to illustrate the expectation of spiritual fruit, a similar theme to the vision of figs in Jeremiah 24.
FAQ:
What do the two baskets of figs in Jeremiah 24 represent?
The good figs represent the exiles who would be restored, while the bad ones symbolize those who remained and would be destroyed. (Jeremiah 24:1-10)
What did God promise the exiles symbolized by the good figs?
God promised to care for them in exile, transforming their hearts and bringing them back to the land. (Jeremiah 24:4-7)
What was the fate of those who remained in Jerusalem?
God said that those who remained in the city would be given over to destruction, pestilence, and the sword. (Jeremiah 24:8-10)
What spiritual lesson can we learn from the baskets of figs?
It shows that God disciplines but also restores those who repent and trust in Him. (Jeremiah 24:5-7)
What did the separation between the two groups of figs mean?
It represented the distinction between the faithful who would be restored and the rebels who would be destroyed. (Jeremiah 24:8-10)
