Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 5:30-31

"A wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" — Jeremiah 5:30-31 (ASV)

Here, the prophet declares the perversity of their doctrine.

First, he discusses their astonishing guilt. The word wondrous means something to be wondered at.

The prophets prophesy a lie, when it was their duty to teach the truth. Her prophets have daubed them without tempering the mortar, seeing false things, divining a lie for them (Ezekiel 22:28).

The priests clap with their hands, consenting to the lies, when it was their duty to correct the prophets. As it is written: The LORD has made you a priest in the place of Jehoiada the priest, that you may be the ruler in the house of the LORD over every madman and prophet, that you may put them in the stocks and in prison. And now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah the Anatholite, who prophesies to you? (Jeremiah 29:26–27).

And my people: As the ruler of a city, so are its inhabitants .

Second, he indicates their astonishing punishment: what then shall be done in the end? This means captivity or death. When she has been cast down, he shall judge her measure for measure (Isaiah 27:8).

It should be noted that poverty (Jeremiah 5:4) can be understood in many ways. For example:

• Of earthly possessions: Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5).
• Of humility: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).
• Of affliction: I am poor and afflicted; your salvation, Lord, has sustained me (Psalms 68:30).
• Of knowledge: You do not know that you are poor (Revelation 3:17).
• Of imperfection: I am a man seeing my own poverty in the rod of his indignation (Lamentations 3:1).

It should also be noted that visitation (Jeremiah 5:9) has several meanings. For example:

• Of consolation: The one rising from on high has visited us (Luke 1:78).
• Of correction: I will visit your iniquities with the rod (Psalms 88:33).
• Of damnation, as it says: In the time of their visitation they shall fall down, says the LORD. I shall surely gather them, says the LORD (Jeremiah 8:12–13).

It should also be noted that the word of God is called fire (Jeremiah 5:14) for several reasons:

• Because it illuminates: Your word is a lamp to my feet (Psalms 119:105).
• Because it inflames: The word of the Lord has inflamed him (Psalms 105:19).
• Because it penetrates the weak, as it says: The word of the Lord became like a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones (Jeremiah 20:9). The word of God is living and effective—sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the division of soul and spirit, of joint and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
• Because it melts: He will send out his word, and it will melt them; he will blow forth his spirit and the waters will flow (Psalms 147:18).
• Because it consumes the disobedient: His lips are full of indignation, and his tongue is as a devouring fire (Isaiah 30:27). If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. But now, they have no excuse for their sin (John 15:22).