Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 11:7-10

"For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the stubbornness of their evil heart: therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did them not. And Jehovah said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words; and they are gone after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers." — Jeremiah 11:7-10 (ASV)

Here, the prophet shows how they have transgressed the covenant:

1. By sinning against God.

   Concerning this first point, there are two aspects:

   1. He sets forth their guilt. Regarding this, there are several points to consider:

      1. The diligence of His warning is shown. This is seen in the oath, I strongly warned, as if putting them under oath; in its uninterrupted nature, beginning on the day when I brought them forth; and in its timeliness, rising early, when a person is more receptive to understanding. As it is written, Though I have spoken to you rising early and speaking (Jeremiah 7:13).

      2. The transgression of the disobedient people is mentioned: but they did not listen. As Scripture says, All have turned aside to their own way, each one to his greed, from the greatest to the least (Isaiah 56:11).

      3. Their guilt is aggravated by their stubbornness, as implied in the phrase and I brought upon them. This is because they were corrected neither by the punishments nor by the blessings contained in the covenant of the law that had been revealed to them. As it is written, For I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and there was none who would look; you despised all my counsel, and ignored my rebukes. I also shall laugh at your destruction, and mock when your fear comes upon you (Proverbs 1:24–26).

         Their stubbornness is also shown by their conspiracy, as seen in the phrase a conspiracy has been found. This is as if to say, “All have sinned alike, just as if they had conspired to do it.” For a conspiracy is an agreement strengthened by an oath to do something. As Scripture says, Everything which this people speaks is a conspiracy (Isaiah 8:12).

         It is also shown by their habit, as stated in the words they have turned back. As the prophet says, They have turned back that they may be without yoke, they have become like a treacherous bow (Hosea 7:16).

      4. The conclusion is drawn with the words have made void. As Scripture says elsewhere, But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant, they have rebelled against me (Hosea 6:7). And again, She has forsaken the guide of her youth, and forgotten the covenant of her God (Proverbs 2:17).

   2. He threatens punishment, as stated in therefore, thus says the Lord (Jeremiah 11:11).

2. By sinning against the prophet, as stated in the verse, but you, O Lord, have shown me, and I have known (Jeremiah 11:18).