In chapter 24 we are taken back a few years from the time last brought before us (in chapter 21), to the beginning of Zedekiah's eleven year reign,—just after the "great captivity", as it is called, had removed from Israel’s land to far off Babylon all but the “poorest sort” of the people (2 Kings 24:1414And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. (2 Kings 24:14)). The occasion spoken of at the opening of chapter 25 was seven years before that, and shortly before Nebuchadnezzar's army first appeared before Jerusalem,—so that all the people were there to hear Jeremiah's words.
The short chapter 24 brings into view two things that are constantly shown in the Word of God,—the utter ruin of man, and the sovereignty of God. We know from the unvarying testimony of the prophets, and the history of Israel and Judah given in the books of Kings and Chronicles, that the people as a whole were in heart far indeed from God.
Yet, though elsewhere exposing their guilt, here God speaks of what in His grace He will yet accomplish (verses 6-7). If this were not in His purpose, none would be saved, all would perish., the lake of fire their place eternally. Just so is it with the Gentiles also; except for the gospel of the grace of God reaching many a heart and conscience, the whole world would be, without exception, awaiting only eternal judgment at the hand of God.
In the two baskets of figs then we see two classes of people: the objects of the grace of God, on the one hand.; and the unrepentant, on the other. In the gospel of John 5:28-29,28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28‑29) these two classes into which. mankind is divided, are seen in resurrection; not death, nor the passage of thousands of years since the first person died (Genesis 4:88And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:8)) alter the case for any of the children of Adam; as in life, so in death, and so also in eternity, is what God's Word clearly sets forth.
The Scriptures abound with evidence as to these two classes; all have sinned, but justification is free to those who accept it, as in Romans 5:21-26; the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to those that are saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:1818For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)). By nature all of us were in the one class—-sinners awaiting God's judgment; if now we are in the other class—-enjoying the favor of God, having peace with Him and rejoicing in hope of His glory, it is because we have believed in His Son, the Lord Jesus, Christ (Acts 1.6:27-32).
It will be noted that there is not a word in Jeremiah 24 regarding the characters of the people who were divided, in God's estimation, into two groups; He chose to bless, and He will bless, where His grace finds lodgment in human hearts. It is not a question of human goodness, for His holy eyes see none.
A solemn consideration is that Zedekiah and his princes, and the remnant of Jerusalem that remained, were not awakened about their sins because of the judgments which had overtaken and were shortly to overwhelm them. They were, like many today, confirmed in their own ways, and would not hearken to the words of God's servants.