Favored Ones

 January 12, 2022

In chapter 24 of the book that bears his name, Jeremiah relates a vision he had of two baskets of figs, one very good figs, and the other, very bad inedible figs. Surprisingly, God says the good figs represent those who will be carried off into exile in Babylon, while the bad figs represent those who remain in the land. 

My instinct would tell me that getting carried off into exile would be bad, while escaping this disaster and remaining in the land would be a blessing, but that’s not how God sees it. Isaiah quoted God as saying, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9

When we see bad things happen to good people, we instinctively question the love and wisdom of God. It doesn’t make sense, and violates our understanding of justice, of right and wrong. But God has a broader and longer field of vision than do we. He saw that those carried into exile would be purified and strengthened by the experience, horrible as it was. Though they had their issues, they never again turned to false idols, while those who remained in the land continued their syncretistic ways, blending worship of the LORD with that of the gods of those imported into the territory by the Babylonians as part of their policy of weakening opposition by dispersion.

Sometimes those upon whom God’s hand has fallen more harshly are in the end, the ones he blesses with a heart to know him. Your suffering and heartache are not in vain, and those who seem to live a charmed life are not necessarily favored over you. Though the last chapter has been written, it hasn’t yet been realized; but when it finally comes, we all might be a bit surprised to discover who really is favored by the Lord.