Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 10:8-10

"But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock. There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skilful men. But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation." — Jeremiah 10:8-10 (ASV)

1. Here, he makes clear the difference with regard to eternity.

   First, he shows the inception of the idols with regard to their substance, because they are made of wood: the teaching of their vanity, of the wise among the nations, is wood—that is, an idol made from wood. From this, their vain wisdom is discerned.

   With regard to those made of silver: silver; and with regard to those of gold: gold from Ophir: the work, as these indeed are, of the craftsman, and the work of his hand—so to speak, even cheap work. The idols of the nations are silver and gold—the work of men’s hands (Psalms 113:12). With regard to their adornment: blue, for what is made is understood to have had a beginning. But you cover them with purple garments, and wipe their face because of the dust of the house, which is very much among them .

   Second, he presents God’s eternity, joining it to His truth and majesty, because He is the true God and eternal. The eternal God who created the ends of the earth will not fail (Isaiah 40:28). From this, he infers fear: the earth will tremble at his indignation. It is as if to say, “Even things incapable of feeling His wrath will feel it,” and they will not endure because of the greatness of their fear. The earth is moved and shaken; the foundations of the mountains are troubled (Psalms 17:8).