Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 37:5-9

"And Pharaoh`s army was come forth out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans that were besieging Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they brake up from Jerusalem. Then came the word of Jehovah unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me: Behold, Pharaoh`s army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land. And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city; and they shall take it, and burn it with fire. Thus saith Jehovah, Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for they shall not depart." — Jeremiah 37:5-9 (ASV)

Here, the prophet’s response is given.

1. He excludes the help of Egypt: behold the army of pharaoh. For Egypt shall help in vain, and to no purpose (Isaiah 30:7).
2. He predicts the return of the Chaldeans: and the Chaldeans shall come again. Do not deceive yourselves with false hope. I have called my friends, and they have deceived me (Lamentations 1:19).
3. He excludes hindrance: even if you shall strike. How did one pursue a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight? Was it not, therefore, because the Lord your God sold them, and the Lord shut them up? (Deuteronomy 32:30).