Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 23:1-2

"Woe unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Jehovah. Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, against the shepherds that feed my people: Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 23:1-2 (ASV)

1. Here, the prophet speaks about the threat against all the princes in general. This topic is divided into two parts:

   • First, the threat against the wicked princes.
   • Second, the separation of the good from the bad, which begins with the words, the LORD showed me (Jeremiah 24:1).

   The first part, concerning the wicked princes, is also divided into two sections:

   • First, he speaks about the threat against those who are preeminent among the people because of their governing authority—namely, the rulers.
   • Second, he addresses the threat against those who are preeminent because of the privilege of divine revelation—namely, the prophets. This begins with the verse, concerning the prophets: my heart is broken within me (Jeremiah 23:9).

   Regarding the rulers, there are two further points:

   • First, he exposes their fault.
   • Second, he threatens punishment, starting with the words, behold, I will visit upon you (Jeremiah 23:2b).

   Regarding their fault, two things are noted:

   • First is the dispersion of the people. The text says they are the shepherds who scatter the flock by driving them from their land, and tear in pieces by killing or plundering them. This could also refer to the tyranny they exercised over the people, or it could be because they were the reason the people suffered these things from the enemy. While the shepherds were living in their sins, they failed to call the people back from sin. As it says later: my people have been a lost flock; their shepherds led them astray, and have made them wander in the mountains (Jeremiah 50:6).
   • Second is the rebuke against the shepherds. The text says, therefore, thus says the LORD: you have driven them away. This refers to their being the cause of the scattering or to their tyranny. As Ezekiel says, With your horns you toss all the weak cattle until they are scattered abroad (Ezekiel 34:21).