- But thus says the Lord: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt. Jeremiah 24:8 – What we find in this chapter is a surprising set of outcomes for the people of Judah. The Babylonians had come and taken a large portion of the people of Judah captive and dispersed them in Babylon, while a portion of the Israelites remained in Judah. At first glance most all would say those who remained in Judah would be the blessed ones and those brought into exile were the ones under the curse, yet in our passage it’s the other way around. Those who left to go into exile were the ones that listened to the confusing words of the Lord for He told them to go. Those who remained were the ones who rejected God’s word. The result then was blessing was to come for those who were in exile and wrath was to come upon those still in Judah like we see in our verse above. When we choose to remain where God has told us to leave, do not expect to find God’s blessing there. Living in disobedience is not the pathway to finding God’s provision and direction, it’s the pathway to finding God’s judgement. Obedience may be difficult, like it was for the people of Judah who many left their homeland to be brought into enemy exile. Obedience though is where we will discover the blessing of the Lord. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3254
- 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. Jeremiah 24:5 – What we see here is the promised good outcome of doing what God said to do, even when that choice didn’t make sense. Back in 21:8-9 God gives His people a choice. Life by surrender, death by staying in the city. Now we read today the outcome of both choices. We need to know that even when a direction doesn’t make sense, like surrendering to your enemy in this story, if God says it’s the better path we should always take it. Today your direction is to give yourself wholly over to His plans and path. Scripture tells us its the best way, yet the world and culture will tell you the opposite. You may not understand fully why God will lead you in someways He does, know though whatever He says is the best thing always for you. Follow Him no matter the cost and you’ll never find yourself lost. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 943
- I will set my eyes on 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. Jeremiah 24:6 – This message was given by God to the ones He was exiling to Babylon. Here we see a truth that’s difficult to accept but deeply important to remember. Sometimes God will allow us to be moved into seasons away from our comfort for the purpose of our growth with Him. That may look like an extra year at the job you thought you were moving away from, not getting into the college you wanted, or even a season of financial lack. Undesirable, unwanted seasons, but seasons God may walk us into. Seasons He promises to provide in and promises to have fruit on the other side as we purpose Him in it. Yes, these seasons we aren’t asking for won’t be comfortable, but most things that grow us aren’t. Trust that if the God who loves you, who you’re pursuing with your whole heart, has chosen this path for you, then it’s the right path. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2156
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