Malachi 3:13-18
13 “Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’
14 You have said, ‘It is pointless to serve God; and what benefit is it for us that we have done what He required, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of armies?
15 So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they also put God to the test and escape punishment.’ ”
16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened attentively and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and esteem His name.
17 “And they will be Mine,” says the Lord of armies, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will have compassion for them just as a man has compassion for his own son who serves him.”
18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
The Two Responses (2)
The response of the believers
God is calling the people of Israel to faithful service. In response to that invitation, two kinds of responses emerge: the response of unbelievers (v 13-15) and the response of believers (v 16-18). Today, let us look at the response of the believers. “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened attentively and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and esteem His name” (v 16). (1) The people mentioned in this verse are “those who feared the Lord.” They are the true Israel, the people known as “the remnant of Israel.” They encouraged one another to continue fearing the Lord. (2) A blessing is promised in response to their faithful attitude. The Lord listens attentively to their prayers. (3) Furthermore, “a book of remembrance” was written before the Lord. This “book of remembrance” is a record of the deeds of believers, and it will be opened in the future when they receive their reward from the Lord. “‘And they will be Mine,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will have compassion for them just as a man has compassion for his own son who serves him’” (v 17). (1) Furthermore, the remnant of Israel will become the Lord’s treasured possession and belong to Him. The expression “My treasured possession” comes from the time of the establishment of the Sinai Covenant (ref. Ex. 19:5), but the remnant of Israel will experience this grace in a special way. (2) “The day when I act” refers to the great day of judgment, namely, the Tribulation. The remnant of Israel will experience the Lord’s protection during the Tribulation.
The Lord distinguishes
“So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (v 18). God distinguishes between “the righteous” (those who serve God) and “the wicked” (those who do not serve Him). This is God’s ultimate answer and the motivation for us to live righteously. Even now, God is calling to us, “Return to Me.” How we respond to that invitation will determine our future. “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (1 Peter 1:15).
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, thank You for calling me out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Please enable me to walk today as a child of light. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.