The Lord’s explanation of the vision continues. The phrase thus says the Lord
in Jeremiah 24:8 shows that the explanation that follows is in parallel with the explanation given in Jeremiah 24:5–7.1. The two baskets of figs stand in stark contrast to one another, but the difference is not their moral or religious goodness or lack thereof, but their place in the Lord’s sovereign plans.
The bad figs in Jeremiah’s vision represent Zedekiah and those with him who had not gone into exile, and the Lord will deal with them as such. This would have come as a big shock to those who remained in Judah. They would have believed that they had escaped the Lord’s judgment. In opposition to Jeremiah, their prophets had reassured them over and over again that the Lord would protect them in the land and do them good. These words from the Lord shatter any such beliefs. There is still further judgment lying ahead for them. The Lord is against the rule of Zedekiah and the policies he has put in place.2 The Lord includes among the bad figs those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
It is not clear who this refers to. It may be that some fled to Egypt with Jehoahaz in 609 BC (Jeremiah 22:10–12), or when Nebuchadnezzar started to gain greater power in the region. Possibly some fled there during the invasion of 597 BC. It would seem though, that being in Egypt is evidence of not trusting in the Lord, much like those who remained in Judah under Zedekiah.3 Even before the Babylonian invasion began, Jeremiah had called on the people of Judah to submit to Nebuchadnezzar. Trying to resist and avoid Babylonian exile was a stubborn attempt, both foolish and futile, to avoid the Lord’s judgment.4
8 “But thus says the LORD: Like the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his officials, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.