Malachi 3:13-18

I include the whole of these verses under one reading, in order to observe in them what the last verse expresseth, the discerning between the righteous and the wicked. And what can more strikingly set these things forth than what is here said. Here is the Lord's charge against all ungodly, carnal, careless, and Christless persons. What is their conduct, their language, their manners, their behavior? The whole may be summed up in Job's account, they say unto God, that is, if not in word, yet what is the same thing indeed, depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Reader! look into common life, and take with you the words of the man of Uz, as set forth in his book; compare the one with the other, and say how exact a representation he hath made. I beg the Reader to look at the whole passage. Job 21:7. - Now mark the contrast in the Lord's people, as set forth in this beautiful passage. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. Of what do they speak? Of what do they think? for they are said also both to fear the Lord, and to think upon his name. Mark, I pray you, the several features by which they are here distinguished. And, oh! that the Reader and Writer, through grace, while marking the Lord's account of his people by such distinguishing tokens, may find they are our own. And first, they are said to fear the Lord. Yes! the Holy Ghost, by David, long since observed, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalms 111:10. Such a fear, I apprehend, as includes the whole of vital godliness. And the effects that follow are then marked. They thought upon his name, that is, no doubt, God in his covenant love and faithfulness, as manifested in the person of his dear Son. For the name of God in scripture language, means the person, work, and offices of God, particularly as revealed in redemption. And thus being full in thought of the Lord in his grace, and love to his people; they spake of those things to one another; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. And thus love was kindled, and communicated from one to another, by this heart-refreshing, soul-comforting conversation. They spake not now and then only, but often one to another. They helped each his fellow, when the glorious topics of redeeming love, in God the Father's covenant mercy in Christ, the person, grace, and loveliness of Jesus, his blood and righteousness, and the Spirit's work in the heart became the sweet subjects of discourse. And we are told, so pleasing are such things to the Lord, that, speaking after the manner of men, he hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him. Not that the Lord needs records, or makes any; or is listening to the words or actions of his creatures, by way of gaining information: for all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13. But what is here said of the Lord's hearkening, means his approbation of his redeemed, thus speaking together of the great things of God. He draweth nigh to all such, in a way of grace, and manifests himself to them, otherwise than he doth to the world. See a beautiful proof of this, Luke 24:13; John 14:22; Psalms 145:18. But we must not stop here, in our review of this blessed passage. The Lord adds a promise, and a most comprehensive one it is. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. The figure here made use of concerning the great day of God, is that of the world on fire, and Christ gathers his Segullah, his chosen ones, as jewels from the flame, as men would do by saving their valuables in such a time of destruction. And I pray the Reader to observe, how the Lord speaks of them. They shall be mine. The people of God are so from everlasting, in the gift of the Father, the purchase of Christ's blood, and the regenerating testimony in their hearts of the work of God the Holy Ghost. But in that day he publicly owns them before a congregated world of men and angels, and takes them to himself forever. Oh! how eternally safe are all souls, in such securities! Oh! how gracious is the Lord, in the giving by the way such promises! Lord! give both Writer and Reader grace, to know our present interest in these sweet promises, and to live now in the enjoyment of them by faith, until we enter upon the everlasting possession of our inheritance by thy blood and righteousness in glory. Amen.