Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 26:2-6

"Thus saith Jehovah: Stand in the court of Jehovah`s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Jehovah`s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word. It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way; that I may repent me of the evil which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings. And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah: If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, to hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send unto you, even rising up early and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth." — Jeremiah 26:2-6 (ASV)

1. Here the prophecy is given, and it is divided into three parts.

   The first part concerns the occasion of the persecution. The second describes the persecution itself, beginning with the words and the priests heard (Jeremiah 26:7). The third details the liberation, beginning with the words and the princes heard (Jeremiah 26:10).

   Now, the occasion for this persecution arose from his preaching. For this reason, the text first designates the place of the preaching with the command, stand in the court. This is similar to the previous command: stand in the gate of the house of the LORD, and preach there this word (Jeremiah 7:2).

   Second, the text addresses the purpose of the preaching. Concerning the integrity of the message, it commands, do not subtract a word (Jeremiah 26:2). Concerning the people’s turning from their faults, it says, and they may be turned. And concerning God’s remission of their punishment, it says, and I repent. This is similar to what was said previously: if that nation will repent of its evil, which I have spoken against it, then I also shall repent of the evil which I have thought to do against it (Jeremiah 18:8).

   Third, the text gives the subject matter of the preaching, introduced by the phrase, and you shall say. This echoes the previous warning: I shall do to this house, in which my name is invoked, and in which you have confidence, and to the place which I have given to you, and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh; and I shall drive you from before my face, as I drove all your brothers, the whole seed of Ephraim (Jeremiah 7:14–15).