Does God like you?

Who belongs to the "good" and who to the "bad" figs? Why are they good or bad?
God explains that the "exiles in Judah" (V4), who "return to him with all their heart" (V.7) are "very good figs". It seems to me that he refers to people who undergo God's discipline and respond to it humbly. Many times in the book of Jeremiah the wicked people don't listen and don't pay attention to the message. Instead they become proud, mock God and his prophet and continue going their own ways.

The "good figs" here finally repented and turned to God, quite late, but better late than never. See how faithful God is. He rewards humility and repentance by lovingly caring for them, planting them, renewing their heart, protecting them and being their God.

The others are either still in Jerusalem or have escaped to Egypt. Whether you try to flee God's judgment/discipline and live worldly (like the ones in Egypt) or you are proud and just don't do anything (the nobles) - you don't undergo his discipline, you follow your own ways instead of getting broken and repent. God just can't stand these proud people and humbles them by making them an object of ridicule (V.9).

God likes to work with certain type of people - humble and teachable believers who are sensitive to what God is doing. If you want to be "edible" for God, have this kind of character. That's why James 4:3 says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Created over 1 year ago