God made a covenant with their ancestors at Sinai (Exodus 19:1–8; 24:7–8; 34:27–28; Deuteronomy 4:13).
I took them by the hand: God rescued his people from Egypt, guiding them like a parent guides a child who cannot care for itself (see Exodus 12–14).
they did not abide by My covenant: See Hebrews 3:7–19; Numbers 14:1–38; Deuteronomy 9; Psalms 106.
I disregarded them: The covenant warned that if the people turned away, God would also turn away from them (see Deuteronomy 28:15–68; 30:11–20; 1 Kings 8:22–53; 2 Chronicles 6:12–42).