Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 31:10-14

"Hear the word of Jehovah, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off; and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as shepherd doth his flock. For Jehovah hath ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. And they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow unto the goodness of Jehovah, to the grain, and to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 31:10-14 (ASV)

Here, the announcement of liberation is given.

1. He rouses the nations to pay attention. Hear—so that all would trust in him who is able to free them in this way. Hear O islands, and give heed, you people afar off (Isaiah 49:1).

2. He foretells the liberation of the people, provided it is not hindered by divine anger, for he who scattered Israel shall gather him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs in his arms, and in his bosom shall he carry those who are with young (Isaiah 40:11).

   Nor will they be hindered by the power of their captors, for the Lord has redeemed—previously from the Egyptians, and now from the hand of the more powerful, namely, the Chaldeans. He freed the poor man from the powerful, and the poor man, who had no helper (Psalms 72:12).

3. He promises the prosperity of freedom:

   1. Regarding everyone, he first promises the proper observance of religion: on mount Zion, not in Bethel before the calves. Those who are redeemed by the Lord shall return, and they shall come to Zion with praise, and eternal gladness upon their heads (Isaiah 51:11).

      He also promises an abundance of temporal goods, speaking of the wealth of good things from the earth that are produced for our food and preservation, as well as from the animals. And they shall stream, and they shall praise God, for the grain and the wine. I have established him with grain, wine, and oil (Genesis 27:37).

      He promises the satiety of those who possess these things: their soul shall be as a watered garden, which does not need to wait for rain. This can be understood as referring to the spiritual goods gathered through Christ, which will be fulfilled partly now, but completely in the future. They shall not hunger or thirst anymore, neither shall the sun strike them, or any heat (Revelation 7:16).

      He promises gladness of heart, shown by signs of joy: the virgin shall rejoice. As it says above: praise shall go forth from them, and the voice of those who play. And I shall multiply them (Jeremiah 30:19). And concerning the end of sorrow: I shall turn their mourning into gladness. After the storm you make a calm, and after crying and weeping, you pour in joyfulness .

   2. Regarding the priests especially, he promises: I shall make them drunk—that is, I will abundantly satiate them—with fatness, with an abundance of offerings and sacrifices; and my people shall be filled, so that they will be able to make offerings to God. This is understood spiritually as referring to the richness of devotion. Let my soul be filled with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise you with the lips of exultation (Psalms 63:5).