Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 12:14-17

"Thus saith Jehovah against all mine evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them; and I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, As Jehovah liveth; even as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of my people. But if they will not hear, then will I pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 12:14-17 (ASV)

Here, he speaks of the comfort that will arise from the punishment of the enemy, addressing three points.

1. He speaks of their removal to another country. This refers to those who touch the inheritance by harming it. He who touches you is like one who touches the apple of my eye (Zechariah 2:8). See, I have established you this day over nations and over kingdoms, so that you may root up and pull down, lay waste and scatter, build and plant (Jeremiah 1:10).

2. He speaks of their deportation: and when I have uprooted, I will bring you back from the nations (Ezekiel 36:24).

3. He speaks of their instruction. This includes the promise of good things if they do well: and it shall be, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people . . . they shall be built up. This is as if to say, “They shall be counted among my people,” because it pertains to conversion. It also includes the threat of punishment: but, if they will not hear, I shall uproot that nation with utter destruction and ruin, that is, eternal ruin. If you are willing and will obey me, you shall eat the good things of the earth (Isaiah 1:19).

Collations

Note that the rulers destroy (Jeremiah 12:10)In Jeremiah 12:10, the Latin has the verb, demoliri, rather than destruere, but the meaning is synonymous. the people through the perversity of their works: for the shepherds have done foolishly, and have not sought the Lord; therefore, they have not understood, and their whole flock is scattered (Jeremiah 10:21).

They also destroy the people because of the falseness of their doctrine: My people have been a lost flock, their shepherds led them astray, and have made them wander in the mountains (Jeremiah 50:6).

They destroy them because of their timid fear: O shepherd, and idol that forsakes the flock; the sword is upon his arm and upon his right eye (Zechariah 11:17).

They destroy them because of the austerity of their rule: you commanded with austerity and with power, and my sheep are scattered (Ezekiel 34:4–5).

Finally, they destroy them because of a slackening of care: I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not visit the forsaken, nor seek the lost, nor heal the wounded, nor nourish what stands, but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and break their hooves (Zechariah 11:16).