Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 2:9-13

"Wherefore I will yet contend with you, saith Jehovah, and with your children`s children will I contend. For pass over to the isles of Kittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently; and see if there hath been such a thing. Hath a nation changed [its] gods, which yet are no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith Jehovah. For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." — Jeremiah 2:9-13 (ASV)

Here, he magnifies their guilt by noting the enormity of their wrongdoing. First, he states his intention, which is judgment: I will still contend regarding its enormity, such as their ingratitude, and with your sons, who imitate their fathers' wickedness. As the prophet says, The Lord will enter into judgment with His people, and with Israel (Micah 6:2).

Second, an argument follows where, through judgment, he shows the enormity of their sin. He begins with a comparison of religions: cross over in your minds to the islands of Kittim—that is, the western lands beyond Cyprus—or to Kedar, where the Ishmaelites lived.

He asks if a nation has ever changed its gods, implying, "They have not." From this, it is clear that they are condemned by comparison to others. She has scorned my judgments, becoming more wicked than the nations, and my precepts more than any land around her (Ezekiel 5:6).

Then, turning from a comparison of gods, he breaks out in amazement: Be appalled, O heavens—it is as if he were saying, "If it were possible, the heavens themselves would be appalled"—or the angels, who live in the heavens as the city of their King. He continues, and be desolate, you gates of heaven—referring to the chief angels, who act as princes and judges over the others. As it is written, Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 1:2).

Next, he gives the reason for this amazement: For my people have committed two evils. This is against two parts of the commandment: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You shall have no other gods before me. And again: you shall not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold (Exodus 20:3).

They have forsaken God, the spring of living water, who is able to give them true comfort. As the psalmist writes, With you is the fountain of life (Psalms 35:10). They have also dug for themselves broken cisterns—that is, idols, which are unable to save. They have dug these for themselves because they made them with their own hands, for the idols of the nations are silver and gold—the works of men’s hands (Psalms 113:4).