Homilist Malachi 3:16-17 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD listened, and heard it… I. GOOD MEN IN THEIR RELATION TO GOD. 1. They reverence Him. Malachi tells us that these old saints "feared the Lord." Not a slavish, but a filial fear, not a dread of His power, or His anger, but a holy awe of His majesty mingled with a loving admiration. Filial reverence lies at the basis of all true religion. 2. They think upon Him. " They thought upon His name." The name of God was His revealed character, His reputation. The intellect of the good is chiefly engaged in the contemplation of God as He is revealed in nature, history, the Bible, Christ. There is no higher theme of thought than this, not even for angels. 3. They talk about Him. "They spake often one to another." The chief theme of thought will always be the leading subject of converse. "Out of the heart the mouth speaketh." Souls, though constitutionally social, can only meet and mingle on a subject of common interest; the loftier and purer the subject, the closer and more exquisite the communion. As the rays can only meet in the sun, so souls can only meet in true fellowship in the name of God. This is the platform of genuine social intercourse. II. GOD IN RELATION TO GOOD MEN. 1. He hears their converse. "The Lord hearkened and heard it." All sounds in the creation vibrate in the Divine ear; the fall of the dewdrop as well as the thunder of the tempest; the sighs of an infant as well as the choruses of eternity; the oath of the blasphemer as well as the prayer of the saint. But He pays special attention to the words of the good. They travel to Him as the cries of the babe to the heart of the mother. 2. He registers their history. "A book of remembrance was written before Him." He is represented as having recorded what He observes and hears. This book of remembrance before the Lord is no mere figure. The great universe is a book in which every sound uttered, every word spoken, are recorded. Science teaches that every syllable is printed imperishably in the surrounding air. Nature photographs not the mere features of the face, nor the form of the body, but every changing look, every passing thought, etc. 3. He pledges their salvation; which includes glory in the future, and protection in the present. His providence shall guard them with all the carefulness of a father's heart. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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