A Basket of Figs

“The LORD showed...two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD.  One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early; the other basket had very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten” Jeremiah 24:1b-2.

As Christians we have already reconciled the message of the cross.  We have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior who went before us, reconciled our sins through His death and rose to join God in eternity.  In our hearts we have settled our salvation and accepted the life dedicated to God.  In Jeremiah’s day God’s people also showed their reverence to God by approaching the front of the temple, leaving offerings of their harvest.  This particular illustration was a harvest of figs, some which were the ripe ones and some which were already rotten.  The offerings in this vision that God gave to Jeremiah represented those believers who had a halfhearted devotion to God verses those who wholeheartedly gave the first of everything to God. 

‘The figs talked about in this passage were located at the front of the Temple.  This is where people brought their offerings to the Lord.  They were supposed to give God the best of what they had harvested.  When people lost their faith in God’s power, they kept the best for themselves and put their rotten leftovers in the offering baskets.  Similarly, our offerings to God reveal what we really believe about Him.  We need to pursue God wholeheartedly’ Melissa Spoelstra, Jeremiah – Daring to Hope in an Unstable World, p. 127. 

In considering this message this morning I began wondering about my own relationship with Christ.  Does my life represent the basket of good figs or the basket of rotten figs?  Do I offer Him the first of everything when I approach Him?  Offering the firstfruits means giving Him the first moments or hours of our day.  The basket of good figs will contain the first 1/10 of every penny we bring in.  By offering the firstfruits we might be the one in a situation to show grace first.  There are many things that make up a basket of good figs if we follow God fully devoted to Him instead of devoted to ourselves...our comforts...our agenda.  I will continue to be aware of rotten figs in my life so they will not spoil the good ones.