Jeremiah 35:17
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
The announced evil would be brought upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The cause was that God had spoken to them and they had not heard, and had called to them and they had not answered. That refusal was repeated, a persistent unwillingness to listen and to turn from evil. That speaking and calling came again and again through His servants the prophets.
He had spoken persistently, rising early and speaking, and had sent all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them. Their message urged every man to return from his evil way and amend his doings and not go after other gods to serve them, so that they might dwell in the land given to them and to their fathers, but they did not incline the ear nor hearken. Against this disobedience to God stands the obedience and faithfulness of the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab in performing their father's commandment. By that example of loyalty their unrighteous course was highlighted, aggravated, and exposed. The constancy of the Rechabites was fully proved, and nothing was required of them except what they were able to perform.
The same pattern is repeated when people who have received great light turn from it, follow their own impulses, and disregard God's admonitions.