יחזקאל, פרק י״ב, פסוק כ״ב

Human beings possess a remarkable ability to find excuses and ignore approaching threats. In ancient times, rather than outright denying harsh warnings of destruction, the people adopted a cynical, catchy proverb to strip these warnings of their urgency. This popular saying was constantly on their lips, serving as a tool to mock the warnings and avoid taking responsibility for their actions [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The primary approach among commentators is that this popular saying expressed a belief that prophecies of disaster were meant only for the very distant future. The people assumed that because so much time would pass without any punishment materializing, the prophecies would eventually be forgotten, lose their meaning, and be canceled entirely. This mindset is deeply rooted in human nature, which tends to dismiss and neglect events that seem far away [מצודת דוד].

The motivation behind repeating this phrase stemmed from the fact that previous warnings of wrath had not yet come to pass, and Jerusalem was still standing. The people did not necessarily accuse the true prophets of lying. Instead, they neutralized the immediate threat by pushing it away, comforting themselves with the belief that the disaster would simply not happen in their own lifetimes [אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

While this served as a way to avoid reality, some suggest a more rebellious motive, viewing the repetition of this proverb as a deliberate attempt to anger God. Deep down, the people actually knew that their severe sins—such as idolatry, theft, and bloodshed—would inevitably lead to exile. Yet, they chose to suppress this truth, preferring to cling to the smooth, soothing reassurances of false prophets [רד״ק].

Offering a different philosophical perspective, another approach suggests that the people mistakenly compared God's prophets to astrologers. Because astrological predictions depend on the shifting patterns of nature and time, the people assumed that if enough time passed, circumstances would naturally change, and the prophecy would simply expire on its own. The divine rebuke emphasizes the absurdity of making such a claim while living in the Land of Israel. This detail exposes the flaw in their logic, as the Land of Israel and its inhabitants are not bound by the laws of nature or astrology, but are instead guided by God's direct and constant supervision [מלבי״ם].