A cause of 'deafness'

Ezekiel 12:1-2

1. Why would the Israelites not see or hear?

The Israelites are in a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear. They chose not to see or hear.

Matthew 13:13-17

2. What would happen if people chose to understand?

But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

Jesus says "Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."