ירמיהו, פרק ז׳, פסוק כ״ז

God assigns a heavy burden to a prophet when He sends him on a mission destined for failure. Jeremiah is given the difficult task of delivering a harsh warning to a completely unresponsive audience, facing a wall of absolute stubbornness. God informs him in advance that the people will neither listen to his words nor answer his call. Yet, despite knowing the dismal outcome, the prophet remains obligated to stand his ground and deliver the warning [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

The people's rejection unfolds in two distinct stages. First, the prophet is commanded to speak directly to them, delivering the difficult message [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Instead of merely tuning him out, the people actively turn away and physically distance themselves from him [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Because they flee, the prophet is forced into the second stage: raising his voice and calling out after them in an attempt to draw them back. However, they refuse to offer even the slightest reply [מלבי״ם]. This dual action of speaking and calling out directly mirrors an earlier warning God Himself gave the people [מלבי״ם].

This profound level of avoidance stems from a deep-seated disrespect. As the people continue walking into the Temple undisturbed, they view the prophet standing at the gates as nothing more than a strange eccentric. As long as he does not physically block the entrance, they feel completely comfortable walking right past him, completely ignoring his desperate pleas [ביאור שטיינזלץ].