Good figs removed for their good

Thus 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. For 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. And 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. And 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: And 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. And 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. Jeremiah 24:5 - 10

God says here that those carried away first were sent out of Jerusalem for their good. They would be brought back again to be built and planted in the land again by the Lord. That He would give them a heart to know God, for they would return unto God with their whole heart.

This reminds me that there may be times when what seems to be judgment or punishment from God, may actually be a case of God protecting "the good figs" from a coming judgment. In Noah's day, the flood did not come until Noah's righteous ancestors had died, God took them home in death before His judgment fell. On the other hand, He had Noah prepare an ark for him and his family to carry them safely through the judgment to come. He removes some, while others He carries through the storm safely.

There are times when it is so difficult to understand why God has taken this one or that one home, perhaps leaving behind those who don't deserve His protection. Perhaps it is the mercy of God giving those who don't know Him time to repent. We cannot see what lies ahead, and it is possible that God in His mercy has removed those "good figs" to spare them from what is to come.

I think the one thing that we can always hold on to is the nature of God Himself. He is always good, and He is always just. His love endures forever!! And, I remind myself never to be so quick to interpret a tragedy as God's judgment on those affected.

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