Kings, Prophets, and Baskets: God’s Judgment and Hope for His People

Be God's Glory
Aug 18
11 min read

Welcome to Day 230 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Jeremiah. In these chapters, God sends Jeremiah to confront the kings of Judah, expose false prophets, and reveal a symbolic vision of the people’s fate. Chapter 22 delivers stern warnings to successive kings, calling them to rule with justice and righteousness, while announcing judgment on those who oppress and shed innocent blood. Chapter 23 rebukes the corrupt shepherds—leaders and prophets—who mislead God’s flock, and promises the coming of a righteous King from David’s line. Chapter 24 uses the image of two baskets of figs to describe the contrasting destinies of those taken into exile and those who remain in Jerusalem. Together, these chapters show God’s unshakable standard of justice, His disdain for corrupt leadership, and His unwavering plan to restore a faithful remnant.

Jeremiah 22

God commands Jeremiah to stand at the palace gate and deliver His word to the king of Judah. He calls the king to administer justice, protect the oppressed, and stop violence against the innocent—promising blessing if they obey, but destruction if they refuse. The prophecy addresses several kings: Shallum (Jehoahaz), who will never return from exile; Jehoiakim, condemned for greed, injustice, and building his palace through oppression; and Coniah (Jehoiachin), rejected as a signet ring and destined for exile. Each king is judged according to his deeds, with the repeated theme that power without righteousness leads to downfall. The chapter shows that God holds leaders to a high standard and will remove them if they fail to uphold justice.

Jeremiah 23

God rebukes the “shepherds” who scatter and destroy His flock, referring to the corrupt kings and leaders. He promises to gather the remnant of His people and raise up shepherds who will care for them. Central to this chapter is the prophecy of a righteous Branch from David’s line—a messianic promise pointing to a king who will reign wisely and execute justice. Jeremiah also condemns the false prophets who speak lies in God’s name, leading the people astray with visions from their own imaginations. God makes it clear that His word is like fire and a hammer, powerful to break through deception. This chapter contrasts the failure of human leaders with the faithfulness of the coming Messiah.

Jeremiah 24

God gives Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs set before the temple. One basket contains very good figs, representing the exiles in Babylon whom God will watch over, refine, and restore with a heart to know Him. The other basket contains rotten figs, symbolizing King Zedekiah and those remaining in Jerusalem, who will face sword, famine, and pestilence until they are destroyed. This vision overturns human expectations by showing that exile can be an act of God’s mercy and preservation, while remaining in the land can be a sign of coming judgment. God’s plan is to bless the faithful remnant, even in captivity, and to bring them back to Himself. The chapter highlights that God’s perspective often differs from human assumptions about blessing and security.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Jeremiah comes from the Hebrew Yirmĕyāhû or Yirmĕyāh, meaning “Yahweh will exalt,” “Yahweh appoints,” or “The Lord establishes.” This meaning reflects Jeremiah’s prophetic calling, as God appointed him before his birth to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The name itself is a prophetic statement of God’s sovereignty and purpose in raising up His messengers.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Jeremiah serves as both a record of God’s judgment and His invitation to repentance. Written during a time of national decline in Judah (late 7th to early 6th century B.C.), its purpose is to:

Warn Judah of the coming Babylonian invasion as a consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness.
Call the people to repentance, offering them the hope of restoration if they return to God.
Explain the fall of Jerusalem and the exile as part of God’s sovereign plan.
Provide hope for the future, pointing toward a new covenant where God’s law would be written on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

It is both a book of judgment and a book of hope—showing God’s justice in punishing sin and His mercy in promising restoration.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The prophet Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, is credited as the author of the book, with assistance from his scribe Baruch son of Neriah.

Biblical evidence for Jeremiah as the author includes:

Jeremiah 1:1–2 – Clearly identifies Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, as the prophet who received the words of the Lord.
Jeremiah 36:1–4 – God commands Jeremiah to dictate His words to Baruch, who writes them down on a scroll.
Jeremiah 36:32 – After King Jehoiakim burns the first scroll, Jeremiah dictates the same words again to Baruch, along with additional messages.
2 Chronicles 35:25 – Mentions Jeremiah writing laments for King Josiah.
Daniel 9:2 – Refers to “the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet” as authoritative Scripture, confirming early recognition of his writings.

External historical sources also support Jeremiah’s authorship:

The Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b–15a) lists Jeremiah as the author of his prophetic book, the Book of Kings, and Lamentations.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, Chapter 5) records Jeremiah as the prophet who warned of Jerusalem’s fall and wrote about it.
Ancient Septuagint manuscripts (Greek translation of the Old Testament, 3rd–2nd century B.C.) attribute the prophecies to Jeremiah, though in slightly different order than the Hebrew text.

Key People:

Jeremiah – The “weeping prophet,” called by God to warn Judah of coming judgment and to urge repentance.
Baruch son of Neriah – Jeremiah’s faithful scribe who recorded and preserved his messages.
King Josiah – The last godly king of Judah, under whom Jeremiah began his ministry.
King Jehoiakim – Rejected Jeremiah’s warnings and burned his prophetic scroll.
King Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile; vacillated between listening to Jeremiah and fearing his officials.
Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and carried the people into exile.
Ebed-Melek – An Ethiopian court official who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern.
False prophets like Hananiah – Opposed Jeremiah’s message, promising peace when judgment was coming.

Conclusion

The Book of Jeremiah ends with the tragic reality of Jerusalem’s destruction and Judah’s exile to Babylon (chapters 39–52), fulfilling the very warnings Jeremiah proclaimed for decades. Yet, it is not a message of despair—it also points forward to God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. The prophecies of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) and future restoration reveal God’s ultimate plan to redeem His people. Jeremiah’s ministry demonstrates that God’s word is unchanging, His justice is certain, and His mercy is always available to those who return to Him with a sincere heart. Even in judgment, God is working for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Jeremiah 22

God’s character in this chapter is shown as righteous, just, and deeply concerned with how leaders treat the vulnerable. He expects those in authority to protect the oppressed, administer justice, and avoid exploitation. His blessings are conditional on obedience, but His warnings are certain when leaders fail to uphold His standards. God is not partial—He judges kings by their actions, regardless of their position or heritage.

No Hebrew names of God are mentioned here, but the lesson is that God holds leaders accountable to lead with righteousness. We can relate by remembering that influence and responsibility are gifts from God meant to be used for the good of others, not self-promotion. When we fail in this, we risk forfeiting His favor and inviting His judgment.

Jeremiah 23

In this chapter, God is revealed as the faithful Shepherd who protects, restores, and provides for His people. He is grieved by false leaders who scatter the flock, yet He promises to gather the remnant and appoint shepherds who will care for them. His truth is powerful—like fire and a hammer—breaking through lies and deception. God is also the promise-keeper who assures His people of a coming King from David’s line who will reign in righteousness.

Here, God is called Yahweh Tsidkenu (“The LORD Our Righteousness”), pointing to His nature as the source of true justice and righteousness. The lesson is that human leadership often fails, but God Himself will raise up the perfect King—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We can relate by placing our hope not in flawed leaders, but in the unchanging righteousness of God.

Jeremiah 24

God’s character here is shown as wise, sovereign, and able to bring good out of hardship. He sees beyond appearances, knowing which people’s hearts are turned toward Him and which are hardened in rebellion. His mercy is seen in how He preserves the faithful remnant through exile, while His justice is clear in how He deals with those who remain unrepentant. God’s plans for His people are redemptive, even when they come through difficult circumstances.

No Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, but the lesson is that God’s definition of blessing is often different from ours. We can relate by trusting that even in seasons of loss or displacement, God may be positioning us for spiritual renewal. His perspective is eternal, and His purposes always aim to bring His people closer to Himself.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

In Jeremiah 22, how does God’s call for kings to protect the oppressed reflect His heart for justice?
What does God’s impartial judgment on the kings of Judah reveal about His fairness and righteousness?
In Jeremiah 23, how does God’s promise to gather His flock show His faithfulness even after judgment?
What does the title “The LORD Our Righteousness” (Yahweh Tsidkenu) reveal about God’s role in providing true justice?
How does God’s description of His word as fire and a hammer in Jeremiah 23 show His power over falsehood?
In Jeremiah 24, what does God’s treatment of the “good figs” reveal about His ability to bring good out of hardship?
How do these chapters together portray God as both Judge and Restorer?

Questions About Themes:

How is the theme of justice in leadership developed in Jeremiah 22?
What theme is reinforced by God’s repeated warnings and judgments on multiple kings in Jeremiah 22?
How does Jeremiah 23 contrast corrupt human leadership with the promised righteous King?
What role do false prophets play in the spiritual downfall of Judah, according to Jeremiah 23?
How does the vision of the two baskets of figs in Jeremiah 24 symbolize the difference between those under God’s blessing and those under His judgment?
What do these chapters teach about the relationship between obedience and blessing?
How is the idea of a faithful remnant developed across these three chapters?

Reflective Application Questions:

In what ways are you using your influence—big or small—to protect and help the vulnerable, as God commands in Jeremiah 22?
Are there areas in your life where you’ve relied on your position, status, or abilities instead of God’s righteousness?
How can you guard yourself against being influenced by “false prophets” or misleading voices today?
In seasons when human leadership disappoints you, how can you anchor your trust in God as the perfect Shepherd and King?
Have you ever experienced a hardship that later proved to be a form of God’s protection or refinement, like the “good figs” in exile?
How does knowing that God’s perspective on blessing can be very different from ours shape the way you view your current circumstances?
What steps can you take this week to live more in line with Yahweh Tsidkenu, “The LORD Our Righteousness”?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans