Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 17:19-27

"Thus said Jehovah unto me: Go, and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; and say unto them, Hear ye the word of Jehovah, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: Thus saith Jehovah, Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work: but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. But they hearkened not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, and might not receive instruction. And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith Jehovah, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but to hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein; then shall there enter in by the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain for ever. And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places round about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the lowland, and from the hill-country, and from the South, bringing burnt-offerings, and sacrifices, and meal-offerings, and frankincense, and bringing [sacrifices of] thanksgiving, unto the house of Jehovah. But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." — Jeremiah 17:19-27 (ASV)

1. Here, the prophet calls the people back to practicing their original religion regarding the commandment to observe the Sabbath. This is the lightest of the commandments, so that their stubbornness might be more clearly shown. Concerning this, he makes two points.

   1. First, he determines the place of his preaching: in the gate. This was so they would be forced to listen, as it were, against their will. Be instant in season, and out of season; reprove, entreat, rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2). He preaches to the sons of the people, for they themselves are not God’s people, but the sons of the peoples. He preaches at the gate through which the kings of Judah come in, for this specific gate was next to the royal palace, through which the kings would enter the city. As it says above: stand in the gate of the house of the Lord, and preach there this word (Jeremiah 7:2).

   2. Second, he gives the substance of the preaching: and you shall say to them. Concerning this, he does three things.

      1. First, he gives the command and seeks an audience: hear. And now, understand, O kings, be instructed, you who judge the earth (Psalms 2:10).

         He makes the command known: thus says the Lord: guard yourselves from sin. Do not carry burdens of merchandise or servile work outside the city (Jeremiah 17:22). This pertains either to their slavery to sin or to the punishment of slavery, because they were required to abstain even from things that were not sins. We are not obliged to abstain from all these things, but we follow the commandment of the Church which regulates this matter.

         Sanctify the day, so that you are free for good works. Remember to sanctify the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8). I saw in Judah those who tread the winepress on the Sabbath, who carried sheaves, and who loaded wine and grapes and figs and every burden upon their asses, and who brought them into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I charged them (Nehemiah 13:15).

         He then speaks of their contempt for the commandment: and they did not listen. As it says above: but they did not listen, and they did not incline their ear; but they went away in their own desires, and in the depravity of their evil hearts (Jeremiah 7:24).

      2. Second, he promises a reward to those who obey: and it shall be, if you hearken. The city will be glorious in three ways:

         First, in the dignity of the king. Regarding this: shall enter. I shall restore your judges as they were before, and your counselors as of old (Isaiah 1:26).

         Second, in the multitude of the people. Regarding this: and this city shall be inhabited. No more shall you be called forsaken, and your land shall no more be called desolate (Isaiah 62:4).

         Third, in the ceremonies of the temple. Regarding this: and they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from round about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the fields, and from the hill country, and from the south, even from Egypt. They shall be offered on my acceptable altar, and I will glorify the house of my majesty (Isaiah 60:7).

      3. Third, he threatens the disobedient with fire: but if you will not hearken... I shall kindle a fire in her gates. This is because the Chaldeans, upon entering the gates, set fire to the city. They shall be burned, both together, and there shall be none who may extinguish it (Isaiah 1:31).

Collations

Note that the saints put forth fruit (Jeremiah 17:8) in several ways:

• through the contemplation of wisdom: come to her as he who ploughs, and he who sows, and wait for her good fruits ;
• through the fervor of love: let my beloved come to his garden, that he may eat the fruit of his apple trees (Song of Solomon 5:1);
• through the profession of praise: through him we offer perpetually to God the sacrifice of praise, that is the fruit of lips confessing his name (Hebrews 13:15);
• by performing meritorious works: for the Lord will give his goodness, and our land will give her fruit (Psalms 84:13);
• through the conversion of one’s neighbors: that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide (John 15:16).

It is also to be noted that some follow Christ (Jeremiah 17:16) in different ways:

• through the purity of the flesh: for they are virgins, and they follow the Lamb wherever he goes (Revelation 14:4);
• through the intention of the heart: I follow if by any means I may apprehend (Philippians 3:12);
• through the suffering of tribulation: Christ has suffered for us leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21);
• through the keeping of the commandments: my foot has followed his steps, I have kept his way, and have not turned aside from it (Job 23:11).

It is a great glory to follow the Lord; for length of days shall be received from him .

Chapter 18