Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 3:12-14

"Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith Jehovah; I will not look in anger upon you; for I am merciful, saith Jehovah, I will not keep [anger] for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against Jehovah thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith Jehovah. Return, O backsliding children, saith Jehovah; for I am a husband unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:" — Jeremiah 3:12-14 (ASV)

Here, he calls them back from the punishment of captivity.

1. First, he calls them back.
2. Second, he shows them the cause of their being called back, beginning with the phrase but I said (Jeremiah 3:19).

Concerning the first point, there are two points:

1. He speaks of their being called back.
2. The response of those who were called back is described: and I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will lead you into Zion (Jeremiah 3:14b).

Concerning the first of those points, there are two points:

1. He calls them back from the ten tribes when he calls them to return, against the north wind, where they are held captive in the land of the Assyrians. As the psalmist says, He will not always be angry, nor threaten forever (Psalms 102:9). Regarding the recognition of their sins, the prophet says, but recognize. He continues, You have . . . scattered your ways to strangers, which refers to their many idols. As we saw previously, consider the roads in the valley and know what you have done (Jeremiah 2:23).
2. Speaking of those from the two tribes, he says turn back—by repentance—and returning to me. Alternatively, this means returning from captivity. As Hosea says, And it shall be on that day, says the Lord, that she will call me, ‘My husband,’ and will no more call upon the Baalim (Hosea 2:16).