Malachi 3:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

§ 3. The impious murmuring of the people is contrasted with the conduct of those who fear God; and the reward of the pious is set forth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:13-18

Hard speeches against God. Once more God has to bring a charge against his people ( Malachi 3:13 ). Their words were "stout," bold, loud, defiant. Reverence and reticence were both wanting. Once more the plea is entered, "Not guilty." They will not admit that God is justified when he speaketh and clear when he judgeth. So once more God has to unfold the evidence, that their mouths may be stopped and they may be found guilty before God. I. HARD SPEECHES AGAINST GOD . 1 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:16

With these impious murmurers the prophet contrasts those who fear God, as above ( Malachi 2:5-7 ) he set the picture of the true priest in opposition to his delineation of the evil ministers. Then . When the impious made the above infidel remarks, the pious spake often, conversed together. What they said is not repeated, but it was language well pleasing unto God, who deigned to listen to their words, and to console them by announcing the future destiny of the good and the evil. They may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:16

Christian converse. "Then," etc. When? When ungodliness was rampant ( Malachi 3:13-15 ). As an excess of carbonic acid in the air makes the lamps in a mine burn dimly, so the atmosphere of prevailing ungodliness makes it hard to maintain a brightly burning piety. Christian converse is one means of sustaining a bright and vigorous godliness "in this present evil world," especially when the evil is more than usually "present" and pressing upon us. I. THE SERVANTS OF GOD ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:16-17

The list of the loyal ones. "A book of remembrance was written before him .... They shall be mine … in that day when I make up my jewels." Reference is to those persons who "by their pious discourse confirmed each other in goodness, and armed themselves against the impressions which wicked and doubting suggestions might make upon their minds." "God took special notice of what these pious persons did and said: it was as safely laid up in his memory as if it had been catered into a register,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:16-18

Genuine religion. Then they that feared the Lord stake often one to another," etc. We shall use these words to illustrate genuine religion, and three things are noteworthy— I. THE ESSENCE OF GENUINE RELIGION . "They that feared the Lord." The men who fear God may be divided into two classes. 1 . Those who fear him with a slavish fear. The unrenewed millions when they think of him at all dread him; their guilty consciences invest him with attributes of such horror that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:17

They shall be mine, etc. This is better rendered, in accordance with the Septuagint and Vulgate, "They shall be to me, saith the Lord of hosts, in the day which I am preparing, a peculiar treasure." This day of the Lord is the day of judgment, which God is always preparing by his visitation of nations and individuals. Then shall the righteous be to God a peculiar treasure ( segullah ), that which he prizes as his special possession (see Exodus 19:5 , whence the expression is derived;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:17

The Divine Proprietor and his peculiar treasure. We adopt, as a more accurate translation, the rendering, "And they shall be to me, saith Jehovah, in the day that I am preparing, a peculiar treasure," etc; and thus learn— I. THAT THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE HIS PECULIAR TREASURE . It is a joy to know that in such a world as this there is anything which God can regard as his own peculiar treasure. For sin is here. The serpent's trail is found in every earthly paradise.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:17

God's dealings with his servants and with his own beloved Son. "I win spare them," etc. These words suggest a comparison and a contrast, and lessons therefrom. I. GOD 'S PROMISE TO HIS SERVANTS . These words are one of the "exceeding great and precious promises" on which we, the children of the kingdom, may rest. Loving protection is promised us by the great Father on the ground of our filial relationship ("his own son"), and as a reward of filial duty ("that serveth him").... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, and discern; or, ye shall again discern. They had already had many opportunities, both in the history of the nation and the life of individuals, of observing the different treatment of the godly and of sinners; but in the day of the Lord they should have a more plain and convincing proof of God's moral government (comp. Exodus 11:7 ; Wis. 5:1-5); "So that men shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth" ( ... read more

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