Why does the Lord say the people are provoking themselves?

The Lord says that the people worship the queen of heaven and other gods, to provoke me to anger (Jeremiah 7:16). The sin of the people stirs up an inner response from the Lord that leads to judgment. However, the Lord asks the question, Is it I whom they provoke? Is it not themselves, to their own shame? By rejecting the Lord and worshipping the queen of heaven, the people will spite themselves and bring shame on themselves. It will lead to confusion and ultimately shame, as they realize that worshipping another god is totally worthless as they face the Lord’s judgment.¹