Thomas Aquinas

Here he aggravates their guilt from the enormity of the deed: and first he sets forth what he intends, namely judgment: 'I will yet contend' — concerning the enormity, as before for ingratitude — 'with the children,' who imitate the malice of their fathers. Mich. 6: 'The judgment of the Lord is with his people, and with Israel he will be judged.' Second, he carries out his proposal, showing in the judgment the enormity of the sin: and first from a comparison of worshippers: 'Pass over,' by consideration — 'Cethim': the Westerners beyond Cyprus, or the city named Cedar, where the Ishmaelites dwell. 'If a nation has changed'; as if he were to say, it has not changed. Hence it is clear that in comparison with others they are condemned. Ezech. 5: 'She has despised my judgments, so as to be more wicked than the nations, and my precepts more than the lands that are round about her.' Second, from a comparison of gods, bursting forth into astonishment: 'be astonished'; as if he were to say: if it were possible, the heavens would be astonished; or the Angels, who are in the heavens, as the city of its king. 'Its gates' — the more principal among the Angels, who are as princes and judges of the others. Likewise Isa. 1: 'Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord has spoken.' Second, he adds the reason for the astonishment. For there are two things, against two parts of the precept. Exod. 20: 'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You shall not have strange gods before me,' et cetera. And again: 'You shall not make gods of silver, nor shall you make gods of gold for yourselves.' 'The fountain of water' — I who can give them true consolation. Psal. 35: 'With you is the fountain of life.' 'Cisterns' — idols, which cannot save — 'they have dug,' because they themselves made them. Psal. 113: 'The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men.'