Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 25:34-38

"Wail, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow [in ashes], ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully come, and ye shall fall like a goodly vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and the wailing of the principal of the flock! for Jehovah layeth waste their pasture. And the peaceable folds are brought to silence because of the fierce anger of Jehovah. He hath left his covert, as the lion; for their land is become an astonishment because of the fierceness of the oppressing [sword], and because of his fierce anger." — Jeremiah 25:34-38 (ASV)

1. Here, he threatens the princes and the nations.

   1. Concerning the people, he foretells the punishment: wail, as if they are unable to express their grief with words, but only by raising their voices. The sword of the Lord is full of blood; it is thickened with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, and with the blood of well-fattened rams (Isaiah 34:6). You nobles, who are rich, and the princes of the people.

      He rules out any way of escape: and flight will perish. They have gone away without strength before the face of the pursuer (Lamentations 1:6).

   2. Concerning the lands themselves: the voice of the cry.

      1. Using a metaphor, he speaks of the destruction of the cities: for the LORD has laid waste their pastures. This refers to the cities and settlements; he is continuing the metaphor of the flock.

         The pastures of peace were silent; it is as if he were saying, “They are reduced to nothing, so that they are no longer mentioned.” These are the pastures of peace, which were splendid in times of peace. Fire has devoured the fair places of the desert, and flames have burned up all the trees of the countryside (Joel 1:19).

         Regarding the destruction of the temple: he has forsaken his covert. This means God has forsaken His temple as a lion, which no one hears approaching when it lies in wait. As it says above: I have left my house (Jeremiah 12:7).

      2. He gives the explanation: for their land has become a desolation because of the wrath of the dove. The “dove” could refer to several things:

         • God, who punishes without agitation.
         • Jerusalem, which has become angry because of the loss of God.
         • Nebuchadnezzar, because of the folly of his pride, as in Ephraim like a dove was led astray, having no heart (Hosea 7:11).
         • The presence of doves in pastures.
         • Nebuchadnezzar, because, like a creature grown gentle, he fulfilled the Lord’s command.
         • Or, by antiphrasis,Antiphrasis is the figure of speech whereby the word used is intended to signify the opposite of its usual meaning. because he was cruel.