Malachi 3:17 - Exposition

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; and comp. Deuteronomy 7:6 : Deuteronomy 14:2 ; Deuteronomy 26:18 ; Psalms 135:4 ). I will spare them; i.e. when I punish sinners. They are spared on two grounds, because they are his sons, and because they serve him like obedient children ( Psalms 103:13 ). Septuagint, αἱρετιῶ αὐτούς , "I will choose them."