"I Am Afraid of the Jews"

THESE words are a part of the reply which Zedekiah made to Jeremiah, when the latter had been urging him to acquiesce in the fiat of God, which had predetermined the captivity of the Jewish nation. For nearly forty years the prophet had been uttering warnings and prophecies in relation to their coming captivity and the overthrow of Jerusalem. The captivity had already begun some fifteen or eighteen years previous, and the kingdom of Israel had become tributary to Babylon. But Zedekiah had rebelled, and Nebuchadnezzar had besieged him in Jerusalem. At the time these words were uttered, the siege was temporarily raised on account of Pharaoh having started out with his army to oppose the Chaldeans. Jeremiah continued his predictions that Jerusalem would be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and exhorted the people to save their lives by going forth and giving themselves up to the hosts of Babylon and Chaldea. This was considered treason, and Jeremiah was cast into a dungeon.

But King Zedekiah was not yet so hardened but that he had a desire to hear what the prophet had to say further. So he sent for Jeremiah and held a secret interview with him. Here again the prophet boldly tells the king that if he will surrender to the king of Babylon, he will save his own life and Jerusalem shall not be burned. But if he refuses to obey, Jerusalem shall be burned with fire and he shall not escape. The prophet Ezekiel had already given his memorable prophecy, Eze. 12:13, that Zedekiah should be brought to the land of the Chaldeans but he should not see it, though he should die there.

Yet in spite of these solemn declarations of the prophets of Jehovah, the king gives answer to Jeremiah: "I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hands and they mock me." Jer. 38:19. He feared man more than he feared God. And too late he found that the fear of man bringeth a snare. But why did he fear the Jews? Ah, he was afraid they would make sport of him or, deride him. And what did his weakness and folly cost him? He was taken captive and was obliged to witness the execution of his own sons and nobles; then his own eyes were put out, and be was carried in chains to Babylon, where he died; thus perfectly were the prophecies of Ezekiel and Jeremiah fulfilled, and Jerusalem was left a mass of smoldering ruins just because this king of Israel was afraid some one would make light of him.

How many are there in these days that, when the plain word of God convinces them of some duty which brings a heavy cross, let the fear of man control them and begin to inquire, What will folks say? and refuse to obey the word of the Lord because they fear some of their fellows will mock them! Ah, we know there are too many of this class in the world! Sometimes we find those who will shut their eyes when they see the light beginning to dawn lest they should he convinced of some duty that will bring a cross.

The fate of Zedekiah is a monument to the folly of such conduct. What sad results to him and his people, and that glorious city. It was no use for the prophet to plead with him after he had once made a decision not to heed the voice of the Lord. His shameful folly still continued to manifest itself in charging the prophet not to let any one know of their interview. What a heavy heart the poor prophet carried away from that interview none but God and angels could know.

Reader, let me plead with you before you make the foolish decision of Zedekiah, not to lightly treat the light of truth in regard to that ancient and honorable institution, the Sabbath of Jehovah. Sacred day for rest and worship, given to supply man's spiritual wants, founded on the facts of creation, honored by the example of Jehovah and his Son in resting on that day, sanctified for man's use by the Almighty Creator, embosomed among the ten holy precepts spoken and written by God himself, kept by all the holy prophets and apostles; treat it not lightly. When its sacred light dawns upon your spiritual vision, let not the foolish fear of man control you, but "Fear God, and keep his commandments; . . . For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil."