During the short relief of Jerusalem’s siege by the Chaldeans (the Babylonians), Jeremiah had been falsely accused of wanting to surrender to the Chaldeans and was put into prison. Not long after, the siege of the city continued. Shortly before the capture of Jerusalem, Zedekiah meets with Jeremiah to hear the word of the Lord. He receives a strong, clear, and personal message: if he surrenders, all will be well for him. Unfortunately, Zedekiah was afraid of being mistreated by the Jews who had already surrendered to the Chaldeans. Although he was certainly troubled by Jeremiah’s words and would have liked to surrender, he did not have the strength to do the right thing, despite Jeremiah’s reassuring words from the Lord (Jer. 38:20). But as Jeremiah prophesied, it was said of Zedekiah, “Your close friends have set upon you and prevailed against you” (v. 22). Yes, those who were around him, his friends and advisors, these were the ones who really ruled Zedekiah because he feared men. And what a loss it was for him! Unable to decide for himself to do that which is right, the very thing he feared—being mistreated—happened to him: the king of Babylon “put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and … bound him in bronze fetters, took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death” (52:11).

How many are there today who, because of the fear of men, will not turn to Christ to be saved, and will lose their life in the end. Do not be among them! Come to the Lord for salvation! “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25). God’s Word is ever true, and God is faithful to His Word. And as believers, let us not fall in the snare of the fear of man too, but be faithful to God’s Word and walk in it. It is our safety.