Malachi 3:16 Commentary and Bible Study

In answer to this, God gives, as it were, a window into heaven, to see things that we otherwise could not know. We are shown some who truly fear and love the Lord, and it is revealed what is the response to this in heaven. There are such among the people of Israel. How does the godly remnant of believers in the nation behave? ‘Then’ – and the word here means on the other hand – ‘they that feared the Lord spake often one to another.’ This is not just about fellowship; it’s about what they said to each other, what was their great interest and the subject of the conversation of those who feared the Lord – ‘and that thought upon his name’, the end of the verse. These are the people who talk among themselves about spiritual things, and the work of the Lord, and soul winning, and the Lord's blessings upon them. It is as if there is a special book in heaven – actually, there probably isn't; it is a way of saying, God's special attention is given to them. ‘The Lord hearkened’ – listened to them – ‘and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.’ God knows everything that's going on, but, dare we say it, there is a special level of divine affection and concentration focused on those who love him, and talk to each other about him. ‘And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.’ ‘Jewels’ is the translation of a Hebrew word meaning ‘possession’ or ‘property’. The Lord pictures himself as a man who reflects on his most treasured possessions, but what fills his heart with joy is the remembrance of those who love him and whose hearts understand how great he is and who wants to spend all their time talking together about him. But if jewels are intended, then these believers who discuss God’s revealed truth together are the beautiful stones that are to be incorporated into some special piece. It is a beautiful picture of fellowship, and how one believer’s heart can encourage another believer’s heart as they share with each other what they have learnt about the Lord from his word. To further strengthen their confidence in his favour towards them, the Lord adds, ‘and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him’, that is, in the day when he makes up his possessions. While others are rejected, this is the son who the loving father could not possibly forsake. ‘Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.’ This is really one of the great themes of this last prophecy of the word of God: discerning between the saved and unsaved. In spite of the complaint of the people, the distinction between the righteous and the wicked is of the utmost importance to God. But the Lord knows who is truly righteous and who is only claiming to be so. He knows because he has worked in each of their hearts and given them a new nature, and imputed Christ’s perfect righteousness to them.