Jeremiah 24:1-10
The vision of ch. 24 took place at a time when Nebuchadnezzar had already taken away captive to Babylon one part of Judah with her king Jeconiah (or Coniah; Jeremiah 22:24). Two baskets of figs appear before the prophet. The first are excellent; the others are terrible and inedible. Contrary to what we might have thought, the bad figs represent the inhabitants of Judah who stay in the land, whilst the excellent ones represent those who have been "taken away". The LORD will cause the latter to prosper and will bring them back at the appointed time. Although distressing, this being torn away from their land and customs is in accordance with God’s will and is going to result in their blessing.
Amongst the promises which are made to them, the most precious is certainly that in V. 7; "I will give them an heart to know me." It is through the heart and not by intelligence that man comes to know God.
Notice that there is no third basket. Generally speaking there is no middle position before God. Likewise He sees only living and dead people amongst the men of today, "children of light" and "children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3; Ephesians 5:8). On which side are we?