Enemies of Obedience

Jeremiah 38:19
“And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.”

Zedekiah found himself in a precarious situation. The people whom he led were encouraging him to fight the King of Babylon; whereas the word of the LORD commanded him to surrender to the Babylonian king. If he surrendered and obeyed God, it would seem as if he had no loyalty to his country and countrymen. If he listened to those who advised him and the will of the people, which would seem to be much easier for the present, he would be disobeying God and chancing His judgment on his life and country.