Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 9:7-9

"Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how [else] should I do, because of the daughter of my people? Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" — Jeremiah 9:7-9 (ASV)

1. Here, the author speaks of the wretched condition of the people regarding their punishment.

He first speaks about the sentence, and second, he specifies the punishment, which begins at the verse, I will take up a lament for the mountains (Jeremiah 9:10).

Regarding the sentence, he makes two points.

1. He speaks of the sentence itself: I shall melt, like gold in the fire, so that in this way they might at least be purified. The kiln proves the potter’s vessel, and the temptation of trouble the just man .

2. He shows the justice of the sentence. This is demonstrated in three ways:

   • By excluding the path of mercy with the question: for what else should I do for the daughter of my people? It is as if he were saying, “Nothing remains but to punish them, since all other methods have been tried.” What is it that I should yet do for my vineyard, that I have not done for it? (Isaiah 5:4).

   • By setting forth their guilt: their tongue is a wounding arrow, which strikes from a distance and penetrates to the innermost part. This is supported by other scriptures: The words of the backbiter seem simple, yet they sink to the depths of the heart (Proverbs 26:22). As a dart, or a sword, or a sharp arrow is the man who bears false witness against his neighbor (Proverbs 25:18). The arrows of children are their wounds, and their tongues are weakened against them (Psalms 63:8–9). They are those who speak peace to their neighbor, but evil is in their hearts (Psalms 27:3).

   • By inferring the punishment with the question: shall I not visit them for these things? As was said above (Jeremiah 5:9, 29).