When people face prophecies of doom, their natural reaction is often to complain and push back against the harsh message. In response to such complaints, a sharp divine message clarifies the direct link between human behavior and the nature of the prophecy received. The primary approach among commentators is that God responds to the people with astonishment, questioning whether it is appropriate for the descendants of Jacob to speak so disrespectfully, or noting that this is their constant habit whenever they hear warnings of disaster [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, others read the opening as a direct, commanding call to attention, demanding that the people listen closely to the reality of their situation [רד״ק, אבן עזרא בשם ר׳ ישועה, חומת אנך].
The people express deep resentment over the warnings of destruction, questioning God's patience and His actions. Some commentators explain that the people are asking if God has lost His patience and His will to do good, wondering if His actions are now meant only to harm His creations for no reason [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. Others understand their complaint to be about the spirit of prophecy itself [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Taking a completely different approach, [אברבנאל] suggests that the people are actually mocking the prophets for remaining silent in the face of societal violence. In this view, the people claim that the spirit of prophecy has simply ceased, or worse, that God actually agrees with their evil deeds.
God answers these accusations by making it clear that He has not lost His patience, nor is it His nature to cause harm. Instead, His words bring goodness and promise blessing to anyone who chooses to walk on an honest path [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The tragedies that befall the people do not stem from God's actions, but are the direct result of their own evil choices [רד״ק]. Furthermore, for an upright person, even prophecies of harsh judgment and warning serve as joyful words of comfort. These warnings prove that God actively watches over the world and ensures that each person is repaid according to their actions [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, prophecy and divine goodness are withheld from the wicked who distort God's words, and are directed solely to benefit those who live honestly [אברבנאל].