Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 23:23-29

"Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? saith Jehovah. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith Jehovah. I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? that think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgat my name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? saith Jehovah. Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" — Jeremiah 23:23-29 (ASV)

Here, the prophet speaks of the other mode of deception: through dreams. Concerning this, there are three points.

1. He begins by proving the divine testimony, showing that God is an appropriate witness because He knows remote things: near at hand. This implies that He should at least know what is in the heavens, where His seat is said to be, as well as the good things, and not the bad things which are far from Him. She reaches from one end to the other mightily, and disposes all things sweetly .

   God also has knowledge of hidden things: if a man shall be hidden in secret places, whether in thought or in location. You shall not say, ‘I shall be hidden from God, and from on high who shall remember me?’ . He proves both points with the question about heaven and earth, which are not remote from His understanding: do I not fill? It is as if He penetrates them from within, and so they are not hidden from Him. Heaven is my seat, and the earth my footstool (Isaiah 66:1).

2. Regarding the verse, I have heard, it is written: Vain hope and a lie to the senseless man, and dreams raise up the imprudent . The prophet then rebukes the vice of deception, first with regard to the continuation of the fault: how long shall this be? O sons of men, how long shall your hearts be heavy; why do you love vanity, and seek for a lie? (Psalms 4:3).

   He also rebukes them with regard to the intention of their work: who wish to make this people forget my name. They have dishonored me before my people for a handful of barley, and a fragment of bread, that they might kill souls which do not die, and give life to souls which do not live, lying to my people (Ezekiel 13:19).

3. He sets forth the principles of true doctrine, beginning with the words, let the prophet who has a dream…; it is as if he were saying that this applies to every level of prophetic vision. To each one as God has divided the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). He then gives the reason for this distinction: what has the straw to do with the wheat? This is like saying, “My words are wheat to restore your strength.” As it says above: your words were found, and I ate them; and your word has become the joy and gladness of my heart (Jeremiah 15:16). And also: How sweet to my throat are your words, more than honey to my mouth (Psalms 118:103).

   God’s word is also like fire, which kindles the heart. Your word is kindled greatly (Psalms 118:140).Heb. צְרוּפָ֖ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ מְאֹ֗ד: your word is purified greatly. Apparently, the verb, צָרַף (tsaraf), to refine, purify, is here mistaken for a similar sounding verb, שָׂרָף (saraf), to burn. And again: the word of the Lord inflamed him (Psalms 104:19).The same confusion as above also occurs in this verse.

   Finally, it is like a hammer for softening hard hearts. For this reason, I have hewed them by the prophets, and slain them by the words of my mouth (Hosea 6:5). Therefore, God’s words are not to be mixed with the thorns of false prophecy. What fellowship has light with darkness, or the congregation of Christ with Belial (2 Corinthians 6:15).Heb. בְלִיַּעַל: lit. without worth. Later understood as a personification of evil, the devil.