Jeremiah continues his cry to the people of Jerusalem and asks, How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?
The picture is of a lodger that is staying as a guest within the city. The wickedness and failure of the people are treated as welcome guests among them, even in them, in their thoughts.
Will they acknowledge this evil and turn from the wickedness that lodges within their hearts?1
As profound as Jerusalem’s failure is and as certain as judgement seems, Jeremiah, and therefore the Lord himself, always holds out the hope of repentance.
14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?