God's Record Of The God Fearers

GOD’S RECORD OF THE GOD FEARERS

Malachi 3:16 & 17a

16 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. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. {Jewels: or, special treasure} [AV]

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16 Those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honoured his name. 17 "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. {Or Almighty, "my treasured possession, in the day when I act}. [NIV]

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16 Those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. 17 “They will be my people," says the LORD Almighty. "On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure.

I. THE CONDUCT OF THE SAINTS

1. THE CONDITION OF THEIR HEARTS REVERENCE

those who feared the LORD. [NIV]

• Despite the unbelief of the day.

• Despite the false worship of the day.

• Despite the rejection of God’s standards by others.

They revered God, and honoured Him in their lives.

2. THE CENTRE OF THEIR THOUGHTS HIS NAME

and that thought upon his name. [AV]

• THOUGHT chashab Hebrew

Properly: to plait or interpenetrate, i.e.

Literally: to weave or to fabricate;

Figuratively: to think, conceive, consider, devise, esteem, find out, imagine, purpose, reckon, regard.

God had revealed Himself to the Children of Israel through His Name.

• ELOHIM: the God of creation.

• JEHOVAH: The God of the covenant.

• ELSHADDAI: The Almighty God – to supply His peoples needs

3. THE COMPANIONSHIP OF THEIR CONVERSATION FELLOWSHIP

spake often one to another. [AV]

• The Frequency of their conversation - Often

• The Fellowship of their conversation - ‘one to another’

• The Focus of their conversation - The Lord

(His promises – His Person)

II. THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE SOVEREIGN

1. THE REGARD OF THE LORD HE OBSERVED

and the LORD listened and heard.[NIV]

• ‘LISTENED’ (hearkened AV) = ‘Qua-shab’ {Hebrew} – ‘to give attention to’.

• ‘HEARD’ = ‘Shamee’ {Hebrew} – ‘to hear because deeply impressed, and with profound interest’.

Does our conversation make a deep impression on the Lord?

2. THE RECORD OF THE LORD A BOOK WAS WRITTEN

A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honoured his name. [NIV]

• Not to remind God

• But to respect the people

Their conversation was valued by the Lord – it had meaning to Him!

3. THE RECKONING OF THE LORD HIS SPECIAL TREASURE

they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; {special treasure} [AV]

• He owns them: - ‘they shall be mine’.

• He values them: - ‘my special treasure’.

The Lord owns and values His people above creation, above the angelic host; they are special – a prized possession!

Ephesians 1:13b & 14 Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

They Shall Be Mine

They shall be mine, says the Lord

I have seen their hearts

Their thoughts are centred on Me

They speak together about my Word

I hear each expressed thought

I hear their very heart beat

To show I truly care for them

I record their feelings

I note their reverent fear

They are very special to Me

Forming part of my adornment

They will be honoured

I know them each one

I declare ‘they are Mine’

I claim them as My own

Based on Malachi 3:16 & 17a