Malachi 3:13-4:6

“Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. ‘They shall be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’ Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” (Malachi 3:16–18, NKJV)

God places great value on those who fear Him. To fear the LORD is to hate evil (Proverbs 8:13). The people feared the LORD and spoke to one another. What were they saying? Were they speaking of God’s goodness? Were they discussing the righteousness of His commandments? Were they sharing their answers to prayers? Whatever they said, the LORD was listening. His ear was inclined to their conversation, and He was pleased.

A book of remembrance was written before Him. This is comparable to us writing a journal of complementary and encouraging things that people have said about us. The LORD owned these people as His precious jewels. Their conversations came up before Him as a sweet savor. Therefore, God would be merciful toward them and spare them as one spares his faithful son who serves by his side. He would grant them the ability to discern between those who were righteous and those who were wicked, between those who serve God and those who serve themselves.

“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.” (Proverbs 14:27, NKJV)

Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets. God would not speak again for 400 years. Then He would raise up His servant John, who would go before Jesus in the spirit and power of Elijah and prepare the people for the Lord (Luke 1:17). But through this long period of silence, the LORD left His people with these words:

“Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.” (Malachi 4:4, NKJV)

Those who fear the LORD meditate on His word day and night. They are like trees planted by rivers of water who bring forth good fruit and whose leaves never wither (Psalm 1:3). And they are precious jewels in the sight of God.