2 Kings 17:14-15 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the necks of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God. And they rejected his statutes, and the covenant that he made with their fathers; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them.
The people’s response to God’s great salvation was one of horrible evil. He had sent prophets with a warning: Turn from your evil ways! Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but they stiffened their necks and remained hard-hearted. Therefore, the city would be destroyed and the kingdom lost. The Bible gives the real cause of the judgment. The Lord gave them chance after chance to turn, but eventually, in time patience runs out and stubborn hearts remain in rebellion.
The people took on the characteristics of the idols and imitated the godless nations around them. They had forgotten the importance and benefits of obeying God’s Word. Time and again, they strayed away from God to the world. Time and again, God sent prophets to warn them to turn back. He will pursue us until we either respond to Him or we by hardness of heart make ourselves unreachable. Therefore, we return and repent on a regular basis. Jesus’ arms are always reaching out in welcome.