Jeremiah 25:11-12

Jeremiah 25:11-12 (ESV): “11 This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the Lord, making the land an everlasting waste.”

Disobedience is always met with chastisement from God. He wouldn’t be a good Father if He didn’t discipline us. Sometimes His discipline lasts longer than other times, because He knows exactly how long it will take to truly reach our hearts.

In Jeremiah 23, the Lord speaks to the prophet about the heart condition of the false prophets. He calls them liars and reckless. Then in chapter 24, He gives Jeremiah a vision of two baskets of figs—one good and one bad. The good figs represent the exiles of Judah. The Lord promises to bless them, build them up, and bring them back into the land. The bad figs represent King Zedekiah and his officials, whom God will curse. The captives in Babylon are the good figs. The Lord even gives Jeremiah a specific timeline for their captivity: seventy years. After that, Babylon will be conquered and Judah will be set free.

Our deeds tell the story of what kind of fig we are, and that will determine both the type and the length of God’s chastisement. For the good figs, it was seventy years. For the bad, it was for the rest of their lives. Even in Christ, our actions have consequences. Be obedient, and you will never have to fear His discipline. Amen?

Father, we thank You for disciplining us when we stray. You are a good Father, and we desire to be obedient children. Help us to value what You say over our own desires, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.