Psalm 81:11, 13 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me….Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
The Lord God had miraculously saved, delivered, and provided for His people. And made a covenant with them that He would be their God and they would be His people. But the people still continued in sin and unbelief, would not listen to Him and walk in His ways, as revealed in the Ten Commandments of the covenant. Therefore, they would have trouble from the world and from their enemies.
And so it happened. Their own sin and disobedience, their worshipping other gods, and their not listening and obeying His covenant ways, was the cause of their problems and troubles. God is not to blame. Finally disaster came upon the people of God, their nation, their city and temple. The curses of the covenant came into effect because the people did not listen.
We today are still the same kind of people that Israel was, not listeners. But God’s Love is stronger, so He sent His Son to listen, obey and walk for us, and to die in our place as us as judgment upon our sin, disobedience and unbelief. We did not listen to the Law, but, with the Spirit’s help, we can listen to (believe) the Gospel of grace and life.