Nehemiah 9:29 And testified against them, that thou mghtest bring them unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments (which if a man do, he shall live in them) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Again and again when Israel had rest they did evil, they were judged through their enemies, and then God raised up a Deliverer. This cycle repeated itself over and over, and yet their proud and hard hearts would not hear the Commandments and do them. They themselves were the cause and the reason for the troubles they found themselves in.
Their response should have been to listen to the Word with softened hearts and begin to do what it says. But the stubborn, selfish heart stops the ears and refuses to listen. We also go through life repeating the same sins, listening to the Word and repenting, believing Love, and receiving Grace. The key that unlocks the hard heart is the Spirit working through the Gospel.
We are left free to stiffen the neck and resist, but the love of God, seen at the cross, is stronger and overcomes the hardness. Repentance and faith as a response to God’s moving always works. Denying, blaming, making excuses does not work.