Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 10:11-13

"Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens: when he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries." — Jeremiah 10:11-13 (ASV)

1. Here, the author clarifies the difference regarding the truth of divinity. He first excludes divinity from idols, showing that there is no divine operation in them: therefore, thus shall you speak to them, to the idol worshipers. For this reason, this word is written in the Chaldean language within the Hebrew text: perish, that is, let their worship cease. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament makes known the work of his hands (Psalms 18:1).

2. Second, he shows that divine operation exists in God:

   1. Regarding the creation of the world’s essential parts: he who makes the earth, concerning the lowest things, and the world, concerning the highest. The Lord founded the earth with wisdom, and established the heavens with understanding (Proverbs 3:19). He stretches out the heavens like a tent; he covers his upper chambers with water (Psalms 103:2–3).

   2. Regarding the phenomena of the atmosphere, so that it would be believed not only that subsequent things come from prior causes, as certain philosophers say, but also that God is the author of all things and is at work in all things:

      1. Concerning things that come from moist matter, such as clouds and rain: at his word (that is, at his command), and from the ends, because of the abundance of water surrounding the earth.The ocean which ancient Greeks and Romans believed flowed around the orbis terrarum, “circle of the lands,” like a river.

      2. Concerning things made of both moist and dry matter: lightning. He changes the order, because rain frequently follows lightning.

      3. Concerning things made from dry matter: and leads forth the wind from his storehouses, from hidden causes and also from the place where they are generated. He brings forth the clouds from the ends of the earth; he makes lightning in the rain (Psalms 134:7).