Malachi 3:16-17 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD listened, and heard it… They were bad times when the prophet Malachi was sent forth upon his message. Profaneness was gone forth throughout the land. Men openly declared it was a vain and unprofitable thing to worship God. Even in those days there was a remnant according to the election of grace. I. THE CONDUCT OF THESE GODLY MEN. They "feared the Lord." Men may fear God in the sense of trembling at His judgments. The fear meant here is a holy reverential awe of God such as none but His own dear children entertain. These people looked up to Him with the deepest veneration as their Maker and their Saviour. They served Him acceptably with reverence, and "godly fear." They are said to have "thought on the Lord's name." To think upon a name would be, in other cases, to think upon an empty sound. But to think on the Lord's name is a most profitable and delightful meditation. For His name is His nature; what the Lord is called, He is. This name — merciful and gracious — was written on their hearts and their affections. Look at their conduct. Doubtless their whole practice was con sistent; but our attention is particularly drawn to the way in which their tongues were occupied. Their communications were serious and spiritual. They sought each other's company for the sake of sweet communion and profitable conversation. Two things gave value to all this holy conversation. It proceeded from the heart. They talked together in a very anxious and difficult time. It is an easy thing to talk religiously when religion is in fashion. II. THE GRACIOUS PURPOSES OF GOD RESPECTING THEM. However privately their conversations might be carried on, the ear of God was open to it all. If God hears, we may be sure God does not forget the pious conferences of His people. "A book of remembrance was written." The pious conversation of His servants is ever fresh in God's mind, as if it were written in a book, and the book were spread before Him. What doth God account to be His jewels? Not what men account so. His jewels are His people. The ornament He prizes is the "meek and quiet spirit" of the believer. When shall be the day when He shall make these jewels up? The day of judgment. He will shortly accomplish the number of His elect, and then He will make up His jewels. III. THE EFFECT ALL THIS WILL HAVE ON THE UNGODLY WORLD. "It is vain to serve God," said that ungodly generation. There is a day at hand, when another estimate shall be formed. When you shall see the Lord make up His jewels, esteeming every man as such who hath feared Him, thought upon Him, and confessed Him — then shall you perceive at last that there is a difference unspeakable between those who serve God, and those who serve Him not. Conclusion — Hold up this text before those of you who profess godliness as containing an example for imitation. You see how those ancient saints delighted in edifying conversation with each other, and how attentive the Lord was to it. Let the text reprove us and stir us up. (A. Roberts, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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