ירמיהו, פרק י״א, פסוק ח׳

Complete disregard for divine guidance inevitably triggers the severe consequences established long in advance. When a nation stubbornly refuses to follow God's direction, choosing instead to chase after their own negative desires, they bring upon themselves the very punishments they were warned to avoid.

The depth of the people's spiritual numbness is profound. Normally, the physical process of listening begins with turning the ear, followed by the actual act of hearing. Yet, in this state of absolute rebellion, the natural sequence is reversed to highlight their total disconnection. Not only did they fail to hear God's message, but they did not even make the slightest effort to turn their ears and try to listen [מלבי״ם]. Instead of opening themselves to God, the people chose to follow the illusions of their own hearts. Every individual chased after whatever their wicked desires presented to them, pursuing only the things they craved [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].

As a direct result of this behavior, God brings upon them the full weight of the covenant. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers not to the commandments themselves, but to the curses and penalties that serve as the strict conditions of their agreement. These consequences are activated whenever the people fail to do what God commanded. This requirement for action encompasses the entire covenant, including both the positive duties to perform and the negative restrictions to avoid. Upholding the complete covenant, in all its parts, is ultimately defined as a unified act of obedience [רד״ק].