Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, said the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them… I. THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AS ILLUSTRATED BY THE SIMILE OF THE TEXT — "Jewels." This is suggestive — 1. Of the beauty of that character. God delights in all beauty, but most of all in that moral excellence which adorns His people. Let us seek to realise this perfection. Flaws in jewels greatly depreciate their value and mar their beauty; so do faults in Christians. 2. Of the strength of that character. Jewels are not easily broken, do not wear, do not fade. The religion of true Christians is not a fancy or a fashion, but principle, habit, power. Tried .by sorrow, sickness, temptation, persecution, it yields not. 3. Of the preciousness of that character. Jewels are of exceeding value, so are God's people. They are precious in their influence upon society, and society sometimes knows it. The saints are ever precious to God. Who shall tell how much He loves His people? II. LET US OBSERVE IN WHAT SENSE THE SAINTS ARE CALLED THE LORD'S JEWELS. "My jewels." 1. Because by Him they were rescued from a condition of impurity and darkness. A jewel may well be called his who risked his life to secure it. 2. Because to Him they owe their purity and glory. True saints feel that Christ has washed and perfected them, and they rejoice to give Him all the glory. 3. Because to Him they owe their protection and security. God takes care of His jewels (Job 1:10). "I give unto them eternal life, and none shall pluck them out of My hands." III. THE FUTURE GLORY AND DISTINCTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS. "They shall be Mine." 1. They shall be His confessedly. Now we return, and cannot discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not, but God shall then acknowledge us openly. He shall take the gem that may have been counted a mere offscouring, and set it in His crown. 2. They shall be His unitedly. "Make up." God's people are scattered now, but then they shall be gathered together. 3. They shall be His everlastingly. "Made up." All trial over, and their state for ever settled in heaven. (W. L. Watkinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. |
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