Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 7 · Jeremiah · Chapter 24
CHAP. XXIV.
IN this Chapter the Lord would have Jeremiah teach again by Signes. He Vers. 1.shewed him two Baskets of Figs set before the Temple, after that Nebuchadnezzar had carryed away Jechoniah Captive into Babylon, and the Princes, Carpenters, and Smiths. By these he teacheth what should be done to them, and to the people still remaining in the Land. These might haply think, and did think themselves more happy that remained, than those that were carried away; but God hereby shewed the contrary, the Captived should finde more favour and suffer less, and such as remained should finde none, but suffer all manner of misery, because most probably they, upon their escape at that time, took more courage to themselves to go on in their sins, despising all admonitions, as thinking the brunt of danger to be now over, and that they should never come into it again: whereas Jechoniah, although a most wicked King, as he is set forth, Chapter 22. yet by the Prophets admonitions and threatning and advice to yield to Nebuchadnezzar when he came against him, he and his Princes submitting themselves, and going out unto him, and not obstinately standing out contrary to Gods will, as Zedekiah afterwards did, came into more grace, and was with his company carryed away with him, comforted. Whereby we may Note. see what good cometh of obeying God at the last, although a man hath before sinned most notoriously, and what evill of obstinate and continued disobedience against all admonitions, threatnings, and counsels of Gods servants, his Prophets. For this manner of teaching, it hath been spoken upon before, Chap. 18. and 19. where he teacheth by a Potters making and breaking his Pots; and Ch. 13. by a girdle, he would have him teach not only by word of mouth, but by a sensible outward signe, as being more moving. The two Baskets of Figs standing b…fore the Temple, are thought by some to have been set there right over against the Temple, where some sate to sell fruits, and that this opportunity was taken by the Lord; but it is rather to be thought according to others, that they were shewed him in vision. The Hebrews conjecture, that the Basket of Figs which was worst shewed best, and the other worst; but being tasted, the contrary appeared; If this were so, the similitude did the more aptly set forth the thing for which it was brought, they that continued in Jerusalem seeming to be in the best case, but were in the worst; and those that were carried away seeming to be in the worst, in the best. And these Baskets stood before the Temple, the more aptly to set forth the Jews of both sorts, they belonged both to one and the same God, that dwelt in the Temple, but from hence, as from his Judgement Seat, he passeth a divers Sentence upon them.
I will bring them again to this Land. Many gracious promises are here made Vers. 6.of good to be done to Iehojakin and the Captives that were carryed away with him upon their submiss yielding, related 2 Kings 24. For which probably they that stayed behind, derided them, as some conjecture, which was fulfilled in the King, 2 Kin. 25. and in his son Zorobabel returning at the time set, Jer. 29 10. and Ezra 1.many more, yea all of them that were then living. The King indeed came no more to Jerusalem in his own person, but in Babylon his head was lifted up, and he found great favour, and his posterity returned, he being then dead, and Daniel and the other three Children came to great preferment in Babylon, as Daniel sheweth: And it is not to be doubted, but that other Jews also by their means found great favour, even beyond expectation in that Countrey.
And I will give them an heart to know me. Here is a far greater blessing spoken of, the blessing of knowing God, and turning to him with the whole heart; Vers. 7.not going here with in part after him, and in part after Baal, as some formerly did, or in part after the profits or pleasures of the world. He that attaineth not this blessing is unhappy still, notwithstanding all his temporall blessings, but attaining this, he is perfectly blessed, as Chap. 9. 23. Let not the wise glory in his wisedome, &c. but that he knoweth me, saith the Lord. But note, that no man attaineth to this of himself, but it must be given unto him, against Pelagians and Papists.
And them that dwell in Egypt. Some think, that such Jews are meant, as before Vers. 8.the destruction of Jerusalem, or at the coming of the Caldees fled into Egypt to be out of their danger, as amongst their confederates; but others better, those that would needs remove thither, contrary to the Lords command, Chap. 43. for against them is the like threatned to that which is threatned here. And this Chapter as well as Chap. 21. is placed out of order, as appeared by the next, viz. Chap. 25.