TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD, Week of August 10-16, 2026, What Makes “Figs” Good or Bad? Prepared Talk.

TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD, August 10-16, 2026, What Makes “Figs” Good or Bad? Prepared Talk.

What makes "figs" good or bad? (10 mins.)

When we go to the market or the fruit shop, we all look for the same thing: sweet, ripe, and good-quality fruit. Nobody chooses rotten or damaged fruit. We can easily tell a good piece of fruit from a bad one.

Jehovah used a similar example to teach an important spiritual lesson. In a vision the prophet Jeremiah received, he showed two baskets of figs: one full of very good figs and the other full of figs so bad they could not be eaten. Those figs represented two kinds of people.

The question is: What made some good and others bad? Was it their situation? Where they lived? Their position? Or was there something much more important?

Today we will analyze three ideas that will answer this question.

The exiled Jews who had repented were like good figs (Jer 24:1, 2, 5-7; w94 3/1 14 par. 6).

To understand this vision, we must place ourselves in the year 617 BCE. Nebuchadnezzar had just taken King Jehoiachin, the princes, and many artisans of Jerusalem captive to Babylon.

From a human standpoint, it seemed that they were the great losers. They had lost their home, their freedom, and their nation. However, Jehovah viewed the situation in a completely different way.

LET'S READ JEREMIAH 24:5-7

“This is what Jehovah, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, I will consider the exiles of Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans, to be good. 6 I will keep my eyes on them for their good and will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. 7 And I will give them a heart to know me, to know that I am Jehovah. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.’”

After comparing the exiles to good figs, Jehovah promised to take care of them, bring them back to their land, and give them a heart to know him.

Why did he call them good figs? Not because they were perfect, but because they humbly accepted Jehovah’s discipline. Exile was painful, but it allowed many to reflect, repent, and strengthen their relationship with Jehovah.

The Watchtower of March 1, 1994, explains that captivity was a means of refinement. Jehovah saw the good condition of their hearts and likened them to the first ripe figs, considered the tastiest and most valuable.

This teaches us an important lesson. When Jehovah allows us to face trials or when we receive Bible-based counsel, what matters is not the trial itself, but our reaction. A humble person accepts correction, learns from it, and allows Jehovah to shape his or her personality.

Jehovah always observes the heart. He values ​​a humble and repentant attitude far more than an appearance of success or a privileged position.

The disobedient Jews, who had not repented, were like bad figs (Jer 24:8-10; w94 3/1 15 par. 10; it “Egypt, Egyptian” par. 74).

Now let's look at the other group. King Zedekiah and most of the people remained in Jerusalem. They thought that because they continued to live near the temple, they enjoyed Jehovah's favor and were better than those who had been taken into exile. But they were completely wrong.

LET'S READ JEREMIAH 24:8-10

“But as for the bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten, this is what Jehovah says: ‘This is what I will do to King Zedekiah of Judah, to his officials, to the remnant of Jerusalem that remains in this land, and to those living in the land of Egypt. 9 I will make them a horror and a calamity to all the kingdoms of the earth, an object of insults, a subject of proverbs, a source of scorn, and a curse in all the places where I scatter them. 10 I will send the sword, famine, and plague against them until they are gone from the land I gave to them and their ancestors.’”

Jehovah likened them to figs so bad they couldn't be eaten. What made them bad figs? It wasn't remaining in Jerusalem. It was their attitude. They refused to repent. They rejected Jehovah's warnings. They trusted in political alliances with Egypt instead of fully trusting God. Their pride and stubbornness prevented them from changing.

They eventually suffered the consequences. Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 BCE. Zedekiah was captured, saw his sons die, was blinded, and ended up a prisoner in Babylon. Those who sought refuge in Egypt did not escape Jehovah's judgment either.

All this shows that Jehovah does not judge people by their location or appearances. What determines whether someone is a good fig or a bad fig is the condition of their heart and their willingness to obey.

This account also warns us of a very present danger. We might think that by regularly attending meetings, participating in the preaching work, or having responsibilities in the congregation, we automatically have Jehovah's approval.

But Jehovah looks far beyond appearances. He examines whether we are truly obedient, humble, and willing to change when necessary.

Christians can be like good figs if we make a sincere self-examination and make the necessary changes (w13 3/15 10 pars. 10, 11).

This view is not just a thing of the past. The Watchtower of March 15, 2013, explains that Jehovah continues to examine the hearts of his servants. Therefore, each of us should ask ourselves: Am I a good fig in Jehovah’s eyes? It is not enough to simply answer yes. We need to make a sincere self-examination.

We might ask ourselves: Do I readily accept Bible counsel when someone helps me to improve? Do I quickly adapt to the instructions of Jehovah’s organization? Am I striving to eliminate attitudes, thoughts, or habits that could affect my spirituality?

Answering these questions honestly can reveal areas that need attention. Being a good fig doesn't mean being perfect; it means being adaptable.

When the Bible corrects us, when an elder gives us counsel, or when we receive guidance through Jehovah’s organization, how do we react? A proud person tries to justify himself. In contrast, a humble person considers the counsel, prays to Jehovah, and makes the necessary changes.

That was precisely the difference between the good figs and the bad figs. Some allowed Jehovah to transform their hearts; others hardened theirs. Each of us decides, every day, which of those two attitudes we will have.

Illustration

The picture in our Activity Guide shows two baskets of figs in front of Jehovah’s temple. One contains good figs, and the other, rotten figs. This illustration teaches us that Jehovah does not judge by appearances or outward circumstances, but values ​​a person’s humble and repentant attitude more highly.

Conclusion

Let's return to the initial question: What makes figs good or bad? It's not the circumstances. It's not where they are found. It's not their position. What truly makes the difference is the disposition of the heart.

The exiled Jews were like good figs because they accepted Jehovah's discipline and repented. The Jews who remained in Jerusalem were like bad figs because they rejected counsel and hardened their hearts.

We too can be like good figs if we sincerely examine our spiritual condition and make the necessary changes whenever Jehovah directs us to do so. In this way, we will demonstrate that we have a humble, obedient heart, willing to be molded.

And if we maintain that attitude, Jehovah will continue to regard us as those good figs: very valuable people to him, worthy of his love, his approval, and his blessings.