And I kept sending to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, “Turn back, please, each one from his bad way, and make your dealings good, and do not walk after other gods to serve them. And keep dwelling on the ground that I have given to you and to your forefathers.” But you did not incline your ear, nor did you listen to me.

In spite of this, they chose additional gods, particularly Baal, and incorporated into their worship all sorts of wickedness that were forbidden by Jehovah’s law through Moses. So their apostasy from God’s Law covenant that called for pure worship was willful. It showed no respect either for the one living and true God or for their solemn vows to him. This bespoke nothing but calamity for such apostates. For like reasons inescapable calamity impends over all Christendom!