They say, ‘Keep to yourself;
They arrogantly treat themselves as holier than others, becoming smoke in God's nostrils.
This verse exposes spiritual pride as another form of provocation.
1“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; 2All day long I have held out My hands 3to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, 4sitting among the graves, 5They say, ‘Keep to yourself; 6Behold, it is written before Me: 7both for your iniquities 8This is what the LORD says: 9And I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, 10Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, 11But you who forsake the LORD, 12I will destine you for the sword, 13Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: 14My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, 15You will leave behind your name 16Whoever invokes a blessing in the land