Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Malachi 3:13 - 3:18
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Ways Of God Vindicated
v. 13. Your words have been stout against Me, salth the Lord, namely, in the murmuring which He has rebuked above. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against Thee? The Lord's answer through His prophet is,
v. 14. Ye have said, It is vain to serve God, it does not pay, just as scoffers in our days say; and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? with all indications of deep sorrow and mourning over their sins. Their complaint was that it was poor business, that it did not pay.
v. 15. And now we call the proud happy, they had actually reached the stage when they praised the wicked, with their apparent happiness in matters of this world; yea, they that work wickedness are set up, they are the lucky ones, in their opinion; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered, they have no misfortune, they have everything that their heart desires. This is ever the accusation which the backsliders try to bring against the Lord.
v. 16. Then, namely, when the scoffers were making these blasphemous remarks, they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, they made it a practise to encourage one another over against such blasphemous talk; and the Lord hearkened and heard it, He paid attention to their remarks, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon His name, the subject of their conversations being things which pertained to His glory.
v. 17. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, the precious people of His inheritance, 1Pe_2:9, in that day when I make up My jewels, when He would impart to them the fulness of His glory; and I will spare them, in manifesting His tender mercies upon them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him, ready to show his love and goodness in such an instance.
v. 18. Then shall ye, those who were now grumbling, return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, noting the difference between the two classes, also in the manner in which God dealt with them, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. The time of grace is still at hand, but infidels and scoffers will do well not to delay repentance.