Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 32:20-24

"who didst set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, both in Israel and among [other] men; and madest thee a name, as at this day; and didst bring forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terror; and gavest them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; and they came in, and possessed it, but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them. Behold, the mounds, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence; and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it." — Jeremiah 32:20-24 (ASV)

Here, the author describes the punishment inflicted upon the Jews by divine justice. To demonstrate that this justice is righteous, he makes three points:

1. He sets out the benefits of their miraculous liberation. Commenting on until this day, he explains that this means God’s signs were being completed, or that His strength for the salvation of Israel and others was still appearing. He cites, He did wonders in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis (Psalms 77:12). Regarding the benefit of a rich dwelling place, he comments on and you gave them this land, citing: You shall possess their land, which I shall give you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk, and honey (Leviticus 20:24).
2. He speaks of their ingratitude, commenting on and they entered. He supports this with two passages: The beloved grew fat, and kicked; he grew fat, and thick and gross; he forsook God who made him, and departed from God his savior (Deuteronomy 32:15), and, I have brought up children, and exalted them; but they have despised me (Isaiah 1:2).
3. Finally, he addresses the infliction of punishment, commenting on and all these evils have befallen them. He illustrates this with the verse: He shall mock at every defense, and cast up a mound and take it (Habakkuk 1:10).