ירמיהו, פרק ל״ב, פסוק ל׳

The relationship between God and His people is marked by a continuous pattern of sin and betrayal that traces back to the very dawn of their history. The origins of this rebellion are rooted in the nation's youth, specifically during their early days of wandering in the desert [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, this idea of youth can be understood on a personal level, indicating that the people began to sin from a very early age [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ever since God chose them to be His own, they consistently avoided doing good, choosing instead an exclusive path of wrongdoing [מצודת דוד].

The severity of their actions is understood in two distinct ways. One approach takes their behavior literally, suggesting they engaged only in evil, completely abandoning any good deeds [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective views this description as a firm verification of their guilt, serving to declare that they truly and undoubtedly committed these sins [רד״ק].

Although both the Israelites and the people of Judah share in this history of rebellion, a specific focus is placed on the Israelites. This distinction highlights that the Kingdom of Israel was the first to pioneer this path of sin and anger God. It was only later that the people of Judah were influenced by these actions and followed in their destructive footsteps [רד״ק]. Ultimately, rather than living in a way that would please God and find favor in His eyes, the sum of their actions served only to provoke His anger [מצודת דוד].