Monday, March 27, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
Jeremiah 24:1–10

The Lord showed me two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the Lord. This was after King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem King Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the artisans, and the smiths, and had brought them to Babylon. One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. And the Lord said to me, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” I said, “Figs, the good figs very good, and the bad figs very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten.” Then the word of the Lord came to me: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. But thus says the Lord: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who live in the land of Egypt. I will make them a horror, an evil thing, to all the kingdoms of the earth—a disgrace, a byword, a taunt, and a curse in all the places where I shall drive them. And I will send sword, famine, and pestilence upon them, until they are utterly destroyed from the land that I gave to them and their ancestors. (NRSV)

Reflection

Around 597 B.C., King Jeconiah of Jerusalem was overthrown in the conquest of Nebuchadnezzar. As a result, he and others were forced to leave. The analogy of the two baskets of figs is intended to sustain the spirits of those in captivity in Babylon. What happened to them isn’t God’s punishment, nor is it the end of their story. On the contrary, they, like the good figs, are precious and will remain under God’s watchful eye.

The experience of exile and captivity recurs in the Bible and in history, and in all instances, it feels harrowing. I can only imagine the pain and fear felt by those who are taken or driven from their homes and community, enduring life-altering uncertainty without resources, often suspected and reviled by those around them. My heart fills with compassion.

Drawing nearer to God this Lent, how might I consider my role in fulfilling God’s desire for justice and peace?

Drawing nearer to God is undoubtedly about keeping eyes and heart open to the hard things. There are baskets of good and bad figs on our doorsteps to discern. What is the message, and to what action am I called?

Prayer

God of love, may I draw nearer to you. Help me keep my eyes and heart open to the hard things. Fill me with compassion. May your love shine through my face and guide my thoughts and actions, today and every day. Amen.

Written by Laura Sterkel, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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