The prophet ministered in an age of spiritual declension one much like our own, when men scoffed at God and divine justice. They said, "Where is the God of justice?" (Malachi 2:17) In their blindness, they mistook God's patience, for indifference. Yet even then, God had a remnant a few who trembled at His Word, who feared His name, and who lived for His glory. Of these it is written, "Then those who feared the Lord spoke often one to another, and the Lord harkened and heard."
Here we see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked a difference not outward, but inward; not temporal, but eternal.
First, they feared the Lord. This holy fear is not terror, but "reverent awe" a gift of the Spirit that bends the heart in worship and obedience. The fear of God set them apart as those who walk by faith, not by sight.
Second, they spoke often one to another. Their fellowship was not frivolous but sacred rooted in God and sustained by love for Him. Like coals gathered together, their conversation burned brighter in the cold night of unbelief. In these humble assemblies, God Himself was present: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) Third, they thought upon His name. While others filled their minds with personal gain and pleasure these saints delighted in meditating upon God and counting Him as the sweetest subject of their contemplations.
And what was the Lord's response? The Scripture says, "The Lord harkened and heard."
Every whisper of faith, every sigh of longing, every quiet word of encouragement was written down in His book of remembrance. The righteous were not forgotten they were recorded, loved, and treasured!
Then comes the glorious promise: "They shall be Mine, in the day when I make up My treasured possession!" What comfort is here! The Lord Himself claims His chosen and redeemed people as His precious jewels. Though now they may be overlooked, afflicted, or despised, yet in that final great day of judgment, they will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
For that day will soon arrive, when the Lord will make a just, final, complete, and eternal distinction between the righteous and the wicked. No longer will the proud prosper, while the humble suffer; no longer will the mocker question God's justice. The books will be opened, and every secret thing will be brought to light. The faithful shall then be owned by Jesus Himself as His "treasured possession". The wicked will then experience the full weight of His holy judgment.
[Charles H. Spurgeon]
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Malachi 3:16-18 ... Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Matthew 25:46 ... And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. ❤
