ירמיהו, פרק כ״ה, פסוק ז׳

The refusal to follow God's guidance represents a tragic cycle of rebellion that ultimately leads to self-destruction. God's instructions were always designed for the personal benefit of the people. Yet, they deliberately chose to ignore His voice, turning their backs on the very path meant to secure their well-being [מצודת דוד].

This disobedience went far beyond simple neglect. The people engaged in idol worship not out of a misguided hope that these false gods would grant them success or favor, but with premeditated intent. Their actions were calculated purely to anger God [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Naturally, this deliberate provocation carried a heavy price, as their attempts to spite God ultimately resulted in nothing but their own ruin [מצודת דוד].

A different approach views this dynamic through the lens of the punishment itself. God fundamentally desires to do good for His creations and takes no pleasure in bringing harm. By engaging in such corrupt behavior, the people essentially forced God's hand, compelling Him to punish them. In this light, the true source of God's anger was the fact that the people put Him in a position where He had to act against His core desire to shower them with kindness [מלבי״ם].