The visit and request from the man of Ermelo foreshadowed the raid on the Beje because he asked to see the secret room where the Jews were hiding. This put the ten Boom family on high alert and made them realize that their secret had been exposed. The man was likely a Nazi collaborator or informant, and his request was likely a ploy to gather information and prepare for the raid. This incident served as a warning for the family that they were no longer safe and needed to take immediate action to protect themselves and their Jewish guests.
