Malachi 3:16

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.

Ver. 16. Then they that feared the Lord, &c.] Then, when all flesh had corrupted their ways, Genesis 6:12, and the whole world turned atheists. Then, when there was no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land, none to speak of, but that it was even darkened with profaneness, Hosea 4:1; as Egypt was with those very grievous locusts that covered the eye thereof, Exodus 10:14,15. Then, when the faithful city was become a harlot, Isaiah 1:21,22; her silver turned into dross, her wine mixed with water; her people not dilute only, but dissolute; herself ex aurea facta est argentea, ex argentea ferrea, ex ferrea terrea, as one once said of Rome, of gold become silver, of silver iron, of iron earth, or rather muck.

Then they that feared the Lord] Those few names that had not defiled their garments in so foul a season, Revelation 3:4; but had kept themselves unspotted of the world, undefiled in the way; so as that wicked one had not touched them, 1 John 5:18, had not thrust his deadly sting into them, had not transformed them into sin's image. These stood up to stickle for God, to stop the mouth of blasphemy, and to stablish one another in persuasion of God's holy truth, and constant care of his dear children.

Spake often one to another] Montanus renders it, Tunc vastati sunt timentes Dominum; sc. ab impiis et atheis impune eos invadentibus; that is, Then were those that feared the Lord wasted and destroyed, viz. by those wicked atheists, who fell from fierce words to bloody blows; so the word is used, 2 Chronicles 22:10 Psalms 2:5. But this is far set, and nothing so agreeable to the mind of the Holy Ghost here, as our English, after other approved translations. It is the same word that is used Malachi 3:13. Those spoke not so much against God as these did for him, and about him to each other, for mutual confirmation, that that which was halting haply might not be turned out of the way, but healed rather, Hebrews 12:13. Great is the benefit of Christian conference for strengthening the weak knees, and comforting the feebleminded. "How forcible are right words!" Job 6:25. One seasonable truth falling upon a prepared heart hath often a strong and sweet operation; as some speeches of Staupicius had upon Luther: of whom the story is told that he was much cheered up by conference with an old priest discoursing about justification by faith, and explaining the Articles of the Creed to him. Latimer, likewise, was much furthered by hearing Bilney's confession, and having frequent conference with him at Heretics' Hill, as the place where they most used to walk in the fields at Cambridge was called long after. Surely, as a little boat may land a man into a large continent; so may a few good words suggest matter sufficient for a whole life's meditation. This Satan well knows, and, therefore, as he did what he could to keep God and Daniel asunder, Daniel 6:7, so he doth still to keep the saints one from another, that they may not build up themselves in their most holy faith, pray in the Holy Ghost, pull one another out of the fire, Judges 1:20; Judges 1:23. How were the apostles persecuted for their Christian meetings; the primitive Christians banished and confined to isles and mines, where they could not have access one to another, as Cyprian complains; the poor saints here in times of Popery, meeting as they could for mutual edification; and, therefore, accused of sedition; for prevention whereof it was ordained that, if men should flock secretly together above the number of six, they should be attached of treason; so the Protestants at Milcenburg, in Germany, were forbidden upon pain of death to speak together of Scripture matters (Luth. Epist.). And at Nola, the Jesuits straitly charged the people not to talk of God, either in good sort or in bad. See more of this in my treatise on these words, called The Righteous Man's Recompence, chap. iv. doctrine 3, annexed to this commentary.

And the Lord hearkened and heard] He not only heard, but hearkened, or listened; Gestus hic est diligenter auscultantis, Isaiah 32:3. It imports, not only attention of body, but intention of mind (as when a man listeneth as for life, and makes hard shift to hear all), and retention of memory. For which purpose also a book of remembrance is here said to be written before him, or by his appointment. Liber monumenti, A book of acts and monuments, in allusion to the custom of kings: see Esther 2:23. Tamerlane, that warlike Scythian, had always by him a catalogue of the names and good deeds of his servants, which he daily perused, and whom he duly rewarded; not needing by them, or any others in their behalf, to be put in remembrance. Much less doth the Lord, who bottles up the tears of his people, files up their prayers, puts all their holy speeches and practices on record, that he may make all honourable mention of them at the last day, in that great amphitheatre, that general assembly; not once remembering any of their misdeeds, Mat 25:35 Hebrews 8:12. See more of this in the Righteous Man's Recompence, chap. v., vi.

And that thought upon his name] That had God before their eyes, Psalms 10:8, that minded his glory, 1 Corinthians 10:31, that thought upon his commandments to do them, Psalms 102:18; that can truly say, with the Psalmist, "How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" Psalms 139:17. See more of this verse in my Righteous Man's Recompence, chap. vii. doct. 16.