Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 40

Thomas Aquinas Commentary

Jeremiah 40

1225–1274

Catholic

Thomas Aquinas Commentary

Jeremiah 40

1225–1274

Catholic

Verses 1-6

"The word which came to Jeremiah from Jehovah, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah, that were carried away captive unto Babylon. And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, Jehovah thy God pronounced this evil upon this place; and Jehovah hath brought it, and done according as he spake: because ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you. And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which are upon thy hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come, and I will look well unto thee; but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee; whither it seemeth good and right unto thee to go, thither go. Now while he was not yet gone back, Go back then, [said he], to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people; or go wheresoever it seemeth right unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a present, and let him go. Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land." — Jeremiah 40:1-6 (ASV)

Having spoken of the destruction of the city and the captivity of the people, he speaks of the well-being of the remnant.
1. The gathering of the people together is mentioned.
  
  Regarding this first point, there are two further points:
  1. The congregation is spoken of.
    
    Regarding this point, there are three aspects:
    1. The congregation of the people is spoken of with regard to the prophet.
      
      Regarding this first aspect, there are four points:
      1. The announcement of liberation is mentioned: the word which came to Jeremiah. Since no message follows, it is understood that this word first reveals what is later related as being fulfilled by action. He heard the poor, and did not despise his captives (Psalms 68:34).
      2. The liberation of the prophet is spoken of: therefore, when the captain of the guard took Jeremiah. He gives the reason for this—namely, the prophet’s truthfulness: the Lord your God spoke, by you. Is there any evil in the city which the Lord has not done? (Amos 3:6).
        
        He also speaks of the liberation: now, therefore, I release you from the chains. He led them out of darkness, and the shadow of death, and broke their chains asunder (Psalms 106:14).
      3. He is given the option of going to Babylon, remaining with Gedaliah, or going wherever he pleases: if it pleases. Behold, the land is before you (Genesis 13:9). I shall lead you by the paths of equity, which when you have entered, your steps shall not be straightened, and when you run you shall not meet a stumbling block (Proverbs 4:11–12).
        
        The provision made for him is also mentioned: the captain of the guard gave him also food. From the eater went forth food, and from the strong sweetness (Judges 14:14).
      4. The prophet’s choice is given: now, Jeremiah came to Gedaliah. Therefore, he did not go to Chaldea, because they had Daniel and Ezekiel for their consolation. He has sent me to bring good tidings to the humble, to heal the broken-hearted, and to preach release to the captives, and an opening to those who are shut up; that I should preach the year pleasing to the Lord, and the day of vengeance for our God; that I should console all those who mourn, and give consolation to all the mourners of Zion (Isaiah 61:1–2).
    2. With regard to the princes, at and when all the captains of the army had heard . . . there came to Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:7).
    3. With regard to the people, at moreover, when all the Jews (Jeremiah 40:11).
  2. The revelation of certain plots, which were disrupting the peace of the people, at but Johanan, the son of Kareah (Jeremiah 40:13).
2. The disturbance of the congregation: and it came to pass in the seventh month (Jeremiah 41:1).

Verses 7-12

"Now when all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon; then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, [to wit], Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans that shall come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken. Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan; then all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much." — Jeremiah 40:7-12 (ASV)

This passage describes the assembly of the princes.

Their gathering is described: and when all the captains of the army had heard... there came to Gedaliah. As Scripture says, A foolish king will destroy his people, but cities will be inhabited through the good sense of the prudent .
The assurance given to those who gathered is mentioned: and Gedaliah swore to them... do not fear. As the apostle Peter writes, Servants, be submissive with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unreasonable (1 Peter 2:18).
He shows the basis for their security with the words, behold, I...; it is as if he were saying, “I bear the entire burden so that you may be at peace.” We are foolish because of Christ, but you are wise in Christ (1 Corinthians 4:10). Surely, he has borne our infirmities, and has himself carried our griefs (Isaiah 53:4). A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).

Furthermore, concerning the words, Moreover, when all the Jews who were in Moab..., this describes the gathering of the people. As the Psalm says, He has gathered the exiles of Israel (Psalms 146:2).

Verses 13-16

"Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, and said unto him, Dost thou know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take thy life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not. Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he take thy life, that all the Jews that are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing; for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael." — Jeremiah 40:13-16 (ASV)

Here, the devising of plots is discussed:
1. The plot made collectively by the princes: know that Baalis, who still resisted the Chaldeans; and Gedaliah did not believe, because he believed the false words of Ishmael. The innocent believes every word, but the prudent man considers his steps (Proverbs 14:15).
2. The plot made by one man in particular: Johanan.
  1. Its devising: go. By the good of the just a city shall be exalted, and in the destruction of the wicked shall be its praise (Proverbs 11:10).
  2. Its rejection is discussed: and Gedaliah said. As it says elsewhere: and I did not know that they took counsel against me, saying: let us put wood in his bread, and let us cut him off from the land of the living (Jeremiah 11:19).

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