Глава XXIV

Jer. 24:1–2. And the Lord showed me 164 two baskets of figs, placed before the church of the Lord, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and Jehoiachin the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. (And after a few words). There is one coffer of figs of the good ones, like the figs of the first times (σῦκα πρώιμα), and another coffer of figs of the evil ones, whose food is not possible for their badness, and further... This vision of the prophet has such meaning. It is clear that (this) happened under Zedekiah; The words also show this. When those around Jehoiakim were taken captive, those who were with Zedekiah said that we will not be exposed to disaster from the Babylonian king, acting justly; our ancestors became captives because they were evil and wicked. Therefore, through this vision, God shows that they are better than these. And just as good figs, he says, everyone values ​​dearly, not wanting to lose or throw away any of them, so He valued those who left, and calls that migration a box of good figs, since along with the people the righteous were taken away, such as Daniel, the three youths, Ezekiel and someone similar to them. And just as, he says, they throw away the bad ones, useless for anything (figs), so I will destroy all the worthless ones, those who have fallen into wickedness, who have completely lost the memory of their Lord. And he called them a basket of bad figs, because there was no righteous person among them. What does the image of a pot of figs, characterized by great simplicity, mean? The reason for the simplicity is the modest state of affairs of that time. Wanting to show love for them in another place, he chooses not something important and expensive, but figs and grapes. Israel was found like a dream in the desert, and like a guard on an early fig tree (Hos. 9:10). Therefore, here, with the help of an image, he represents love for those that he has to show, and dislike for them. In words: before the church of the Lord indicates the sentence pronounced from there. Jer. 24:3. And the Lord spoke to me. Why is he asking him? To convey the truth to the word and from the answer the people learned the solution. What more than this can lead to correction? Pointed out the difference. What if you remain in your fatherland, but are spoiled, and those are in captivity, but are disposed towards Me? And he does this so that they change and do not consider themselves abandoned for their virtue. Jer. 24:6. And I will build. Do you see that I will not (ruin) remain forever? After all, he ruined them. Jer. 24:7. And I will give them my heart. If You give them your heart, why didn’t you give it to them before? Previously, punishments and corrections were not able to be accepted. Behold this greatest of blessings; indicates the reason (which is) that they will turn. But the (above) image does not allow it: since what is corrupt cannot rise and become good. But the good, he says, remains, but the bad does not. However, this does not depend on nature, but on will, since this is a difference in quality, not in essence. And if you say: why doesn’t he give good promises? this is because this increases fear, so that they do not experience it in reality. Jer. 24:8. And others like them live. Do not hope, he says, as if you have help; they will not intercede for you, and they themselves will be taken, and not only into captivity, but further disasters will follow. Jer. 24:9. And they will be reproached. The memory of your punishment is indelible and obvious to all people. Read in Slav. B.: and there are no corresponding words in the text of Patrology, as in the ancient ones. Greek sp. translation 70; the corresponding ones are in Heb. t. and Latin translation.