Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 6:16-19

"Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk [therein]. And I set watchmen over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it." — Jeremiah 6:16-19 (ASV)

1. Here, the author addresses their disobedience.

1. First, he establishes their guilt—namely, their disobedience to the command to imitate the holy—when he gives the command: stand upon the roads. This means to consider the various works of the good and the bad, so that you may see the progress and final state of both.

   These are the ancient paths, which were walked by the holy. Let us examine our ways, and let us inquire, and return to the Lord (Lamentations 3:40). Alternatively, upon the roads means the prophets.

   The fruit of this command is: and you shall find rest. We have passed through fire and water, and you have brought us to rest (Psalms 65:12). Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29). Their contempt for the command is shown when they say: but they said, ‘We shall not attend.’

   This also applies to their disobedience of the command to obey their rulers: and I will set watchmen—meaning prophets and princes; and the voice of the trumpet—meaning their preaching. Son of man, I have set you as a watchman over the house of Israel, and you shall hear a word from my mouth and tell it to them from me (Ezekiel 3:17).

2. Second, he threatens punishment:

   1. First, by stirring up the listener: therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, which means all the peoples. Hear, O heavens, and perceive, O earth (Isaiah 1:2).

   2. Second, he specifies the punishment: behold, I. They shall eat the fruit of their own inventions (Isaiah 3:10).