Malaquias 3
Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
Malaquias 3
Cole - The imagery of preparing the way before the Lord came from the custom of clearing the road and preparing a town for the visit of the king. Before the king traveled, he sent out messengers who proclaimed his coming. They didn’t have road crews back then to keep the highways in good shape. So when the townspeople heard that the king was coming, they would go out and fill in the ruts and potholes, and clear away rocks and debris. They got everything ready for the coming of their king. God in His grace does not come upon us unannounced. If He did, He would often find our lives in shambles. We get sloppy about sin. There are potholes and ruts, with rocks strewn all over the place. So He graciously sends His messenger to proclaim, “The Lord is coming! Get ready! Fill in the potholes of sin! Clear out the rocks of self-centeredness and pride. Repent and bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance” (see Matt. 3:2, 8). Although I am a far, far lesser voice than John the Baptist or Elijah, I hope that you will listen when I tell you, “Prepare yourself! Get ready! The King is coming!” As 1 John 3:3 tells us, “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (Malachi 2:17-3:6 What to Do When Evil Prevails) Spurgeon on Messenger of the covenant - Christ was the great messenger of the covenant, the messenger of mercy; and the Lord’s own people, even in that ancient time, delighted in anticipating the coming of the Christ of God, the anointed and appointed messenger of the Lord of hosts. Spurgeon's devotional on Messenger of the covenant - The Lord’s people delight in the covenant itself. It is an unfailing source of consolation to them so often as the Holy Spirit leads them to its green pastures, and makes them to lie down beside its still waters. They can sweetly sing of it from youth even to hoar hairs, from childhood even to the tomb, for this theme is inexhaustible. They delight to contemplate the antiquity of that covenant, remembering that before the day star knew its place, or planets ran their round, the interests of the saints were made secure in Christ Jesus. It is peculiarly pleasing to them to remember the sureness of the covenant. They love to meditate upon ‘the sure mercies of David.’ They delight to celebrate the covenant in their songs of praise, as ‘signed and sealed, and ratified, in all things ordered well.’ It often makes their hearts dilate with joy to think of its immutability, as a covenant which neither time nor eternity, life nor death, things present, nor things to come, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, shall ever be able to violate—a covenant as old as eternity and as everlasting as the Rock of ages. They rejoice also to feast upon the fulness of this covenant, for they see it in all things provided for them; God is their portion, Christ their companion, the Spirit their comforter, earth their lodge and heaven their home. They see in it not only some things, but all things; not only a help to obtain some desirable possessions, but an inheritance reserved and entailed to [bestowed on] every soul that has an interest in this ancient and eternal deed of gift. See also Spurgeon's Sermon - The Messenger of the Covenant My messenger - To whom does this refer? Without doubt this refers to John the Baptist. Comparing Malachi 4:5+ with Matthew 11:14, 17:11-12, Lk 1:17+ supports this interpretation (remember the best "commentary" on Scripture is to compare Scripture with Scripture) because John the Baptist came in the "spirit and power" of Elijah. “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. (Malachi 4:5+) "A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God." (Isa 40:3) For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’” (Mt 3:3+) “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.14 “And if you care to accept it, he himself (John the Baptist) is Elijah, who was to come. (Mt 11:12-14) Comment:
Malaquias 3
Cole illustrates "Suddenly" - You may wonder, “How can the Lord’s coming be sudden when it has been announced by His messenger?” Let me answer with an illustration. Some of you recall when Mount St. Helens blew its top in 1980. Geologists knew that something was brewing. They could see the bulge on the side of the mountain and they could measure the increasingly threatening tremors. They warned the local residents to get out of there. But did they leave? Some did, but others didn’t. There was one old man named Harry Randall Truman who had lived there for decades. When the newscasters interviewed him, he said that the mountain had been there for centuries. He didn’t believe that it would blow up, so he wasn’t going to move. But suddenly, one morning the mountain exploded. Harry R Truman and others like him who had ignored the warnings perished. Destruction came on them suddenly. (What to Do When Evil Prevails Malachi 2:17-3:6) Suddenly (06597) (pithom) means happening or coming unexpectedly and instantaneously, not immediately. All at once, in an instant or a flash. It is something marked by or manifesting abruptness. It refers to that which occurs all at once, surprisingly, all of a sudden! It describes something happening without previous notice or without warning. Suddenly stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action. In fact, if you review the following passages (in context), it becomes obvious that every use except 2 Chr 29:36 is associated with either disaster or judgment! As John MacArthur emphasizes "To come suddenly does not mean immediately, but instantaneously and unannounced. It usually refers to a calamitous event (cf. Is 47:11; 48:3; Jer 4:20, etc.). When all the preparations are completed, the Lord will come, not to Zerubbabel’s temple, nor in partial fulfillment to Herod’s temple (see notes on Jn 2:13–24+), but finally to that millennial temple which Ezekiel describes in Ezekiel 40–48. The unexpected coming of Christ, partially fulfilled at His first advent, will be accomplished in full at His Second Coming (cf. Mt 24:40–42). (MacArthur Study Bible) Pithorn - 25 verses - Nu 6:9 (= death); Nu 12:4 (= Word from God); Josh 10:9; 11:7; 2Chr 29:36; Job 5:3; 9:23; 22:10; Ps 64:4, 7; Pr 3:25 (= unexpected onset of fear, ~ a "panic attack" so to speak! cf Job 22:10); Pr 6:15 (= calamity); Pr 7:22 ( = sudden falling for the Femme fatale! Only one antidote for this "suddenly" = Flee!); Pr 24:22; Eccl 9:12 (= a catastrophe, calamity); Isa 29:5; 30:13; 47:11; 48:3; Jer 4:20; 6:26; 15:8; 18:22; 51:8; Mal 3:1. Usage: immediately(1), sudden(2), suddenly(22). The people of Malachi's day were like those of Amos’ day, waiting for the day of the LORD, assuming His intervention in power would be a blessing, but Amos warned… Alas, you who are longing (Lxx = epithumeo = strongly desiring, present tense = continually) for the day of the LORD, for what purpose will the day of the LORD be to you? It will be darkness and not light; (Amos 5:18) Amos went on to give a proper perspective of their heart in his day, a perspective those in Malachi's day also needed… “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:21-24) Peter describes the Lord’s “sudden” coming in graphic terms… But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10+). Comment - The day of the Lord is not a single day but an extended time period which points to the special intervention of God in human history for the purpose of judgment. It will include Jesus' Second Coming and then at the end of His 1000 year reign, which precedes the creation of the new heavens and new earth. He is coming - The Lxx translates "come" with the Greek verb erchomai in the present tense, indicating His coming is continual. In other words Malachi pictures Messiah as already in the process of coming. His coming is imminent in our day (see discussion of Imminent or imminency) and it will be swift and sudden. Jesus Himself testifies repeatedly in His final Revelation… "I am coming quickly" (Rev 3:11+, Rev 22:7, 12, 20+) THOUGHT - Jesus' words beg the question dear reader - Are you ready to meet the King "Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom?" (2Ti 4:1+) Haggai records Jehovah's promise "And I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations; and I will fill this house (the Temple at Jerusalem) with glory (ultimately the glory of the presence of Jesus!),’ says the LORD of hosts (Jesus)." (Hag 2:7) BEHOLD HE IS COMING! Revelation 1:7-note In Whom you delight, behold, He is coming - The description of their "delight" seems to introduce a touch of divine irony (use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning), because, given Israel's general state of disobedience and their blasphemous questions (Mal 2:17), they would hardly delight in the One Who was coming to Judge the living and the dead (cf 2Ti 4:1+)! Walter Kaiser agrees that those who are not among the "righteous remnant " (see Jehovah's description of this group beginning in Mal 3:16) "would not enjoy the day of the Lord’s coming. To them the day would be a nightmare rather than a day of restored prosperity." And in fact it seems that "delight" is contrasted in Mal 3:2 with "who can endure." So it will not be a day of delight but a day of destruction for all not "hidden with Christ in God!" (cf Col 3:3+). Malachi 3:2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.: who can endure: Mal 4:1 Am 5:18-20 Mt 3:7-12, 21:31-44, 23:13-35, 25:10 Luke 2:34 Luke 3:9,17, 7:23, 11:37-47,52-54, 21:36 John 6:42-44 8:41-48,55, 9:39-41, 15:22-24, Ac 7:52-54 Ro 9:31-33 Ro 11:5-10 Heb 10:28,29, 12:25 1Pe 2:7,8 Rev 1:6,7, 6:17 for: Isa 4:4 Zec 13:9 Mt 3:10-12 1Co 3:13-15 Rev 2:23 like fullers': Ps 2:7 Isa 1:18 Jer 2:22 Mk 9:3 Rev 1:5, 7:14, 19:8 Malachi 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” Amos 5:18-20 Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD, For what purpose will the day of the LORD be to you? It will be darkness and not light; 19 As when a man flees from a lion And a bear meets him, Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall And a snake bites him. 20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness instead of light, Even gloom with no brightness in it? Zechariah 13:9 (WHEN MESSIAH RETURNS AS DELIVERER - Ro 11:26) “And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’” Daniel 12:10 “Many (JEWS IN GREAT TRIBULATION) will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. PURIFYING FIRE CLEANSING SOAP But (see term of contrast) - Draws a dramatic contrast! Introduces a question we all do well to ponder, to make sure we are in Christ, for only one who is safe in the "Ark," safe in Christ, will be enabled to endure the Day of God, that time when He finally and fully pours out His righteous wrath against sin and Christ rejecters. Malachi offers two rhetorical questions, to cause the readers to pause and ponder and search their own hearts (cp Ps 139:23-24). THOUGHT - Is such "heart searching" not always one of the great benefits of the reading of the inspired Word of God? For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Heb 4:12+, Heb 4:13+). Who can endure (kul)(who can stand) - This rhetorical question indicates that Messiah's coming is not a matter with which one should trifle or remain nonchalant. The question begs each reader (in Malachi's day and our day!) to do a serious personal inquisition and inventory - Will I be able to endure? Will I be able to stand? Only those who have by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9) put on the "full armor of God" (Eph 6:13+) and who have "clean hands and a pure heart." (Ps 24:3-4+) will be able to endure His coming. The prophet Joel asked a similar question… And the LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it? (Joel 2:11+) Jeremiah declares BUT (What is the contrast? - see Jer 10:8-9) the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. (Jer 10:10) The prophet Nahum asked… Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken up by Him. (Nahum 1:6) Then Nahum answered his own question declaring that… The LORD is good, a Stronghold in the day of trouble (Hebrew = tsarah = distress, affliction; Lxx = tribulation = thlipsis), and He knows those who take refuge in Him. (Nahum 1:7) Comment: Jehovah knows those intimately and personally (cf the contrasting groups in Ps 1:6-note) who know Him (by grace through faith - Eph 2:8-9)! The day of His coming - Whose coming? Not John the Baptist but Messiah's coming. And this refers primarily to Messiah's Second Coming. Henry Morris however sees "The sudden coming of the Lord Jesus to cleanse His temple (Jn 2:13-16) was a precursive type of His future coming to cleanse the world." (See also The Day of the LORD; Three Divine Days). I would not argue with that interpretation. Steven Cole - God has a plan to right every wrong and punish all evildoers. That plan centers in His Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will suddenly come into His temple. “But,” Malachi asks, “are you sure that you want Him to come?” “Who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?” (Malachi 3:2). It’s easy to say, “Won’t it be great when Jesus comes again?” But if our personal and family lives are not right with God, we will be terrified at Jesus’ coming, because He is holy and He will judge everyone. Endure (stand) (03557)(kul) means to hold, to supply (give sustenance necessary for physical survival, 1Ki 20:27), to comprehend, to contain, to seize. To endure or bear up (undergo especially without giving up) (Jer 10:10; Joel 2:11; Am 7:10, Pr 18:14; Jer 20:9; Mal 3:2). The Septuagint (Lxx) translates kul in Mal 3:2 with hupomeno. In Joel 2:11 kul translated as endure is translated Lxx by hikanos and in Amos 7:10 by hupophero. MacKay - ‘Stand’ (endure) does not mean appear before the investigating magistrate (Deut. 19:17) — in that sense all will stand before the Judge of all the earth — but is rather a military analogy (2Ki 10:4; Amos 2:15). ‘Who will stand his ground?’ Before the searching scrutiny of this judge none will be able to maintain a successful defense. ‘If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?’ (Ps. 130:3-note; see also Rev. 6:16–17-note). John Oswalt - The primary meaning of this root is “to contain as does a vessel. (as 1Ki 7:26, 38; 8:64; 2Chr 4:5; 7:7)… Jeremiah then uses the word in a figurative sense when he expresses the impossibility of containing within himself the Lord’s fury which is like a burning fire (Jer 6:11; 20:9). In a somewhat similar vein. Solomon remarks in his prayer at the dedication of the temple that it is silly to think of that house as containing God since the heaven of heavens cannot contain him (1Ki 8:27; 2Chr 2:6; 6:18). As a logical extension of the above meanings are those which express the possibility or impossibility of enduring (or containing) something (Pr 18:14; Joel 2:11; Amos 7:10; Mal 3:2). Two of these (Joel 2:11 and Mal 3:2) express the impossibility of enduring God’s wrath when he comes and are reminiscent of Rev (Rev 6:15, 16, etc.). (TWOT) Kul - 36 verses - calculated(1), contain(4), contains(1), endure(5), had to provide(1), held(1), hold(4), holding(2), maintain(1), provide(4), provided(6), provided them with sustenance(1), provisioned(1), sustain(3), sustained(1), sustainer(1).Gen 45:11; 47:12; 50:21; Ruth 4:15; 2 Sam 19:32f; 20:3; 1 Kgs 4:7, 27; 7:26, 38; 8:27, 64; 17:4, 9; 18:4, 13; 20:27; 2Chr 2:6; 4:5; 6:18; 7:7; Neh 9:21; Ps 55:22; 112:5; Prov 18:14; Isa 40:12; Jer 2:13; 6:11; 10:10; 20:9; Ezek 23:32; Joel 2:11; Amos 7:10; Zech 11:16; Mal 3:2 Malachi 3:3 "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.: sit: Ps 66:10 Pr 17:3 25:4 Isa 1:25 48:10 Jer 6:28-30 Eze 22:18-22 Da 12:10 Zec 13:9 Lk 3:16 Eph 5:26,27 Tit 2:14 Heb 12:10 1Pe 1:7 4:12,13 Rev 3:18 the sons of Levi: Mal 1:6-10 2:1-8 Isa 61:6 66:19-21 Jer 33:18-22 Eze 44:15,16 Rev 1:6 5:10 and: Mal 1:11 Ps 4:5 50:14,23 69:30,31 107:21,22 116:17 141:1,2 Ho 14:2 Jn 4:23,24 Ro 12:1 15:16 Php 2:17 4:18 2Ti 4:6 Heb 13:15,16 1Pe 2:5,9 Malachi 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JESUS THE REFINER OF HIS PEOPLE He will sit as (term of comparison// simile) a smelter and purifier of silver - Jesus here is characterized as like a smelter and purifier, not to destroy but purify His people Israel (cf Zech 13:1-note "that day" referring to Messiah's Second Coming). Has Messiah come as a smelter and purifier yet? No. Most sons of Levi are still counting on their own righteousness (or their relation to "father" Abraham - cf Mt 3:9+), not the imputed righteousness of Christ available by grace through faith in Yeshua. And so here Malachi refers to a future event, which in context is best interpreted as taking place at Messiah's Second Coming. Refining is frequent metaphor in the prophets (Isa 1:25; Isa 48:10; Jer 6:29–30; Ezek 22:17–22; Zec 13:9-note). Zechariah 12:10-commentary describes a future purification (see also Daniel 12:10 below)… And I (God) will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that (here is the purpose of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit) they will look on Me (Messiah - see below for Rev 1:7) whom they have pierced (dāqārû = “drive through, pierce, stab, run through, i.e., make physical impact with a sharp implement”); and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. (Zech 12:10 - see John MacArthur's sermon - Zechariah 12:1-14 Israel's Final Deliverance) BEHOLD, HE (Messiah) IS COMING (Dt. 18:15-18; Ps 2; 22; 118:26; Isa 9:6; 48:16; 53; 61:1; Jer. 23:5-8; Dan. 9:25; Mic 5:2; Zec. 2:8-11; 6:12-15; etc) WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced (Greek verb in the NT only here and Jn 19:23) Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. (Rev 1:7-note) (Related resource - Imminency) Sit implies the refining requires great care. MacKay explains that "The silversmiths of the time sat looking into their small metal furnaces to determine from the colour of the metal if it was pure (Ps. 12:6; Prov. 17:3; 1 Pet. 1:7). It was more technically intricate than the process used for gold. When the silver ore is molten, it gives off oxygen. It was treated with charcoal to prevent it re–absorbing the oxygen from the air as it cooled. If it did, it would lose its lustre. The process of purifying was complete and the dross all burnt away when suddenly the silver became a liquid mirror in which the refiner could see his own reflection." The silversmith would would put the crude silver ore in a crucible in the smelting furnace, subject it to intense heat in order to liquefy the solid ore. In the liquid state, the worthless impurities in the silver ore would rise to the surface and be skimmed off as dross (the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal). When the silversmith was able to see his face reflected in silver remaining in the crucible, he would remove it from the fire, for he knew that he had pure silver. So our Lord keeps us in the furnace of suffering until we reflect the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ. Christ-likeness is God’s ideal for His child. Christian suffering is one of the tools He uses to bring about that result. CLEANSING PICTURED BY FIRE AND SOAP Smelter (06884)(tsaraph) means to refine, test, try, purge away. As a participle tsaraph was used for goldsmiths and silversmiths. Tsaraph describes the process of refining metals before worked into fine vessels (Pr 25:4). Tsaraph means to test, examine, refine, to try to learn the information about the true nature or moral purity of an object, as a figurative extension of refining metals (Jdg 7:4; Ps 17:3; 26:2; 66:10) Tsaraph means to purify, purge, figuratively to be or become morally pure and without moral blemish through a process of testing or trial (Isa 1:25; Isa 48:10; Jer 6:29, cf Da 11:35, 12:10-note, Zech 13:9-note) A very significant use of tsaraph is to describe the Word of God as flawless, perfect, pure, formally, tested and refined, i.e., to be pure and without flaw, with a focus on moral purity (2Sa 22:31; Ps 18:31; Pr 30:5). John Hartley comments that "Various aspects of the refining process are vividly used for judgment on and purification from sin; e.g. a blazing furnace, bellows, lead, dross, refuse silver (e.g. Isa 1:25; Jer 6:27–30; Ezek 22:18–22). God seeks to remove from his people all wickedness and sin so that they can endure his holy presence. Man has the responsibility of purifying himself so that he can be refined; i.e. he must respond obediently to God’s word in order to experience cleansing (Dan 12:10). Further, when his people are wayward and violate the covenant, God seeks to bring them back by refining them (Jer 9:7). God tries them in the furnace of affliction (Isa 48:10). Although they have to endure difficult circumstances, as long as their faith in him remains firm, they will eventually experience deliverance (Ps 66:6–12). Between the promise and its fulfillment, the word itself tests and refines the one who has heard it (Ps 105:19). However, sometimes the people become so obstinate that no matter how intense the refining fire becomes, it is in vain (Jer 6:27–30). Then God must come against his people in judgment. But in the midst of this judgment, God is still preparing a people for himself. Those who undergo the judgment as a refining shall turn to God and enter into covenant with him once again (Zech 13:9-note). According to Mal, God shall refine the Levites as gold and silver; then they will offer the sacrifices correctly and these sacrifices will be accepted (Mal 3:2ff.). The climax of God’s refining process will result in the establishment of a city over which he has complete rule; that city shall be called “the city of righteousness, the faithful city” (Isa 1:25f.). (TWOT) In the Septuagint (Lxx) tsaraph is often translated with the verb puroo meaning to heat fiery hot (as in refining metals). Refine - To purify, to clarify, to free (as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities, extraneous or unwanted material; remove impurities in metal to make the precious metal pure; to free from moral imperfection Smelt - to melt as ore for the purpose of separating the metal from extraneous substances. (Smelting) Purge - to free from guilt or moral or ceremonial defilement; to make free from something unwanted; To cleanse or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign or superfluous; to remove by a cleansing process Tsaraph - 29x - goldsmith(5), goldsmiths(2), pure(1), refine(3), refined(5), refiner's(1), refining goes(1), silversmith(2), smelt(1), smelter(2), smith(1), test(2), tested(4), tried(2). Judges 7:4-note Then the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many; bring them down to the water and I will test (Lxx = ekkathairo = clean out, cleanse, purge out) them for you there. Therefore it shall be that he of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go with you; but everyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go." Judges 17:4-note So when he returned the silver to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the silversmith who made them into a graven image and a molten image, and they were in the house of Micah. 2 Samuel 22:31 "As for God, His way is blameless; The Word of the LORD is tested (puroo - make fiery hot speaking of tested and refined metals; perfect tense = permanence of the effect of this testing); He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Nehemiah 3:8 Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths made repairs. And next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 32 Between the upper room of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants carried out repairs. Psalm 12:6-note The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried (puroo and dokimion = process or means of determining the genuineness of something) in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. Psalm 17:3-note You have tried (bachan; Lxx - dokimazo) my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested (tsaraph; Lxx = puroo - make fiery hot speaking of tested and refined metals) me and You find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. Psalm 18:30-note As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Ps 26:2-note Examine (bachan; Lxx = dokimazo) me, O LORD, and try (nasah) me; Test (tsaraph) my mind and my heart. (Red = imperatives!) Comparison of nasah, tsaraph, bachan - all conveying some aspect of "to test"… 1). Nasah = an attempt to prove the existence of a particular quality in someone or something. 2). Tsaraph =“to refine,” usually indicating the purifying result of divine judgment. 3). Bachan focuses attention on an examination to prove the existence of some spiritual quality, such as integrity. Psalm 66:10-note For You have tried us, O God; You have refined (tsaraph; Lxx = puroo) us as silver is refined (tsaraph; Lxx = puroo) . Psalm 105:19-note Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested (puroo - make fiery hot speaking of tested and refined metals) him. Psalm 119:140-note Your word is very pure (puroo - make fiery hot speaking of tested and refined metals; perfect tense = permanence of the effect of this testing), Therefore Your servant loves it. Proverbs 25:4 Take away the dross (Heb = sug, Lxx = adokimos) from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; (perfectly purified) Proverbs 30:5 (Charles Bridges' note) (Comment) Every word of God is tested (puroo - burned with fire and thereby tested and refined); He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Isaiah 1:25-note "I will also turn My hand against you, And will smelt (puroo - burn with fire) away your dross as with lye And will remove all your alloy. Isaiah 40:19 (Description of making of an idol) As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, A goldsmith plates it with gold, And a silversmith fashions chains of silver. Isaiah 41:7 So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, "It is good"; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter. Isaiah 46:6 "Those who lavish gold from the purse And weigh silver on the scale Hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; They bow down, indeed they worship it. Isaiah 48:10 "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested (bachar) you in the furnace of affliction. Jeremiah 6:29 The bellows blow fiercely, The lead is consumed by the fire ; In vain the refining goes on, But the wicked are not separated. Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, I will refine them (puroo - burn with fire) and assay (bachan; Lxx = dokimazo) them; For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people? Jeremiah 10:9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, And gold from Uphaz, The work of a craftsman and of the hands of a goldsmith; Violet and purple are their clothing; They are all the work of skilled men. 14 Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols; For his molten images are deceitful, And there is no breath in them. Jeremiah 51:17 All mankind is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, For his molten images are deceitful, And there is no breath in them. Daniel 11:35-note "Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine (tsaraph), purge and make them pure (laben - make white) until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time. Daniel 12:10-note "Many (speaking of the Jews in the end times - Daniel is not speaking to the church -- this does not mean that they will not be many non-Jews saved at this time of the end because there will be - read Rev 7:9-note then Rev 7:14-note) will be purged (barar = purge; Lxx = peirazo), purified (laben - to be white) and refined (tsaraph), but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand (this is surely a description of the righteous remnant of Israel - they will be supernaturally enabled to understand the significance of the end time events). Zechariah 13:9-commentary "And I (God) will bring the third part (of he nation of Israel alive at time of the Great Tribulation) through the fire, Refine (tsaraph; Lxx = puroo - burn with fire) them as silver is refined (puroo - burned with fire), And test (bachan; Lxx - dokimazo - test to see if they are genuine - true believers in Messiah) them as gold is tested. (Here is the "fruit" that proves they are born again Jews) They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' And they will say, 'The LORD is my God.'" (cf Jer 31:31-32, 33-34) Comment: Zechariah is not speaking of the church but of literal Israel, those Jews who are alive just prior to the Second Coming of the Messiah. The "one-third" are the "Many (who) will be purged, purified and refined." (Da 12:10)
Malaquias 3
Cole explains "When God’s people obey Him with their giving, the nations will see how God blesses His people and they will be drawn to the delightful land. The world isn’t drawn to disobedient Christians who are under God’s discipline. They are drawn to obedient believers who know the joy of God’s delightful blessings. Our generous giving to the cause of world missions directly blesses those who hear the gospel and come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot say whether or not you are robbing God. It is a matter for each of us, myself included, to examine individually, prayerfully and continually. I find that it’s easy to slip into a worldly mindset with regard to giving." For - Pause and ponder this term of explanation. Here for explains WHY all nations will call Israel blessed. You shall be a delightful land - The land of Israel appearing lush, verdant, fertile would be like "postcard" to the world. Walter Kaiser explains "The promise that God had originally given to Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3 would be fulfilled. Nations all over the world would rise up and say, “Thank God for those people who have been faithful to Him so that He could be faithful to them and to all of us who have also been blessed as a result of their turning back to Him." Delightful (desired, precious) (02656) (hepes/chepes/chephets) is a masculine noun which means to take pleasure or find enjoyment in something. To feel great favor towards something. To experience emotional delight (referring either to men as here in Ps 1:2 or to God - 1Sa 15:22, Ps 16:3, Isa 44:28, 46:10; 48:14; 53:10) The Septuagint (Lxx) translates hepes/chepes/chephets with theletos which means wished for, desired. Theletos is used only one other time in the Lxx in 1Sa 15:22 describing God's desire (obedience not sacrifice). God says to Israel (speaking of her future restoration) "It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; But you will be called, "My delight is in her," And your land, "Married" ("delight" and "married" reflect a full restored relationship with the Lord); For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be married." (Isaiah 62:4) ‘You will be called Hephzibah’ that is, ‘my delight is in her’ (Isa. 62:4; see Jer. 3:19; Ezek. 20:6, 15; Dan. 8:9; 11:16, 41; Zech. 7:14). Malachi 3:13 "Your words have been arrogant against Me," says the LORD. "Yet you say, 'What have we spoken against You?': Your: Mal 2:17 Ex 5:2 2Chr 32:14-19 Job 34:7,8 Ps 10:11 Isa 5:19 28:14,15 Isa 37:23 2Th 2:4 What: Mal 3:8 1:6-8 2:14,17 Job 40:8 Jer 8:12 Ro 9:20 Malachi 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THEIR ARROGANCE LED TO SELF DECEPTION Your words have been arrogant (harsh, hard, severe) against Me - We have already encountered an example of their harsh, impudent, presumptuous approach to God in Malachi 2:17! This was the genre of behavior one expected from a pagan (see Pharaoh's response - Ex 5:2). In fact, the Hebrew word chazaq (see below) is used to describe Pharaoh's heart as "hardened" (chazaq; Lxx - katischuo = prevail, overpower, by extension to be stubborn). Your words have been arrogant - More literally this reads "your words are hard [or "strong"] against me." NIV = "said harsh things against me"; TEV, NLT = "said terrible things about me." The Lxx translates chazaq (see below) in Mal 3:13 with the verb baruno meaning to make heavy, to weigh down, to burden, to grieve and by extension to prevail against. Brenton translates the Lxx of Mal 3:13 "Ye have spoken grievous words against Me." O my, have we have done this? I fear so (at least I'll speak for myself!) (cf Eph 4:29-note which describes "unwholesome" or "rotten" words and then Paul describes the rotten fruit of rotten words in Eph 4:30-note - grieving God, the Holy Spirit!) Forgive me (us) O Lord, and keep back Thy servant(s) from presumptuous sins (Ps 19:10-note , cf Nu 15:30, 31, read the two prayers in Ps 119:38, 133). Amen MacKay - The people had adopted a more aggressive attitude against the LORD than at Mal 2:17. This expressed itself in strong criticism of him. Arrogant (02388)(chazaq) is a common verb in the OT (267 verses) and generally means to be or grow firm or strong. Interestingly, chazaq is used frequently in a positive sense in the exhortation to "Be strong" (Josh 1:6, 7, 9, Josh 10:25, Dt 31:6, 7, Dt 31:23) Chazaq is used in the context of conflict, as with David and Goliath, where "David prevailed over the Philistine." (1Sa 17:50). And so in Malachi, chazaq seems to picture a conflict between Israel's words and God's will. In a sense their words are pictured as strong against or prevailing over God (which of course is impossible). The Septuagint translates chazaq in this passage with the verb baruno which means to burden, to weigh down, to grieve, to oppress, to weary. The picture is of their "arrogant words" as words which were grievous to God! Yet you say 'What have we spoken against You? - Once again the people take issue with God's assertion (accusation). When a sinner is sinning it is very difficult for them to truly see their sin for what it really is. Sin is deceptive. So once again, perhaps now with less a sense of surprise then some of the preceding divine accusations, they in effect deny God's charge. MacKay - Again the people were reacting to unfavorable circumstances, not by questioning what was wrong with themselves, but by complaining against God. They should rather ‘heed the rod and the One who appointed it’ (Mic. 6:9). Malachi 3:14 "You have said, 'It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts?: It is: Job 21:14,15 22:17 34:9 35:3 Ps 73:8-13 Isa 58:3 Zep 1:12 that: Isa 58:3 Joel 2:12 Zec 7:3-6 Jas 4:9 Malachi 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NET = you have said, 'It is useless to serve God. How have we been helped by keeping his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD who rules over all? NLT = "You have said, 'What's the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD of Heaven's Armies that we are sorry for our sins? It is vain to serve God - These "arrogant words against" God (Mal 3:13) are a lie. They have believed a lie! And so they contended that it did not pay to serve the Lord. (This reminds me of Robert G Lee's famous sermon - Pay Day - Some Day) It is never vain to serve God! MacKay notes that serve "goes beyond worship (Ex. 4:23; 7:16) to entail a life of total obedience (Deut. 10:12; Josh. 24:14). It was intended to be a matter of a total commitment to God, done gladly and willingly (1Chr 28:9; Ps. 100:2). This was what the LORD would bless. In contrast, what was ‘futile’ lacked substance and was worthless (compare the ‘dreams that are false’, Zec 10:2). Contrary to what they had been taught, they had concluded that serving God was the road to ruin and disaster because it was all a sham and brought them no benefit." Woodrow Kroll paraphrases their arrogant words - What good does it do to serve Jehovah? We’re better off to keep the 10 percent for ourselves. They looked at the service of God from the standpoint of profit. BKC - Ironically the people, in a sense, were indicting themselves, saying their own worship and service of the Lord was empty, useless, and without result. Hence they felt they gained no benefits from serving Him. Vain (07723)(shav) means futility, worthlessness, fruitlessness (this is the same word used in the commandment in Ex 20:7). Shav is that which has no real value or is marked by futility. The Lxx translates shav in this verse with the word mataios which describes that which is empty, devoid of force, lacking in content, nonproductive, useless, fruitless, powerless, lacking truth, of no real or lasting value. Walter Kaiser - God had offered to be put to the test and they had responded, in effect, “The wicked have already put you to the test and have concluded that you are a paper tiger. You threaten, but you never follow up on your threats… It was useless, unsubstantial, unreal, valueless and materially and spiritually worthless to the servant." What profit is it that we have kept His charge (‘observing what is to be observed’) - More arrogant nonsense! They had not kept (shamar = observed) His charge. They did not obey out of love, but with an eye on what they could get out of God. Their "offspring" are alive and well in the twenty-first century! Turn on many so-called "Christian" programs and notice the prevalence of Rolex watches (tongue in cheek)! MacKay explains that their question "presents a revealing insight into their mentality. The dominant motive in their lives was personal, material advantage… In rejecting (His charge), they were defying God and saying that they were no longer prepared to live as the covenant people.." Paul says keeping God's charge is of great profit, not only in this present life but that to come! Service from a submissive servant heart is the "gift" that keeps on giving. Paul exhorted Timothy (lest he forget)… But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1Ti 4:7-8-note) Jesus spoke about the "profit" of not keeping God's "charge" And He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it (This is REAL PROFIT!). 36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 “For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mk 8:34-38) Profit (01215) (betsa) is used largely in a negative sense and means dishonest, illegal or unjust gain, ill gotten gain, gain made by violence (Jdg 5:19, Mic 4:13), a sin to be avoided (Ge 37:26; Ex 18:21; 1Sa 8:3; Ps. 119:36; Pr. 28:16). Betsa describes personal advantage derived from some activity. Betsa described plunder gained by robbery after a military victory (Jdg 5:19) Here in Malachi 3:14 betsa conveys primarily the sense of advantage or benefit. Kaiser comments that profit was "a technical term for the weaver’s act of cutting a piece of cloth free from the loom. Thus in Malachi it has the negative connotation of men expecting their “cut” or percentage, as a racketeer or gangster would demand his “cut” for his evil work (cf. Ge. 37:26)." Oswalt writes "However, the more common connotation of the root is based on a slightly different aspect of “cut off.” That is to cut off what is not one’s own, or in the slang of our day, to take a “rip-off,” thus to be greedy, covetous." Betsa - 23 verses - Ge 37:26; Ex 18:21; Jdg 5:19; 1Sa 8:3; Job 22:3; Ps 30:9; 119:36; Pr 1:19; 15:27; 28:16; Isa 33:15; 56:11; 57:17; Jer 6:13; 8:10; 22:17; 51:13; Ezek 22:13, 27; 33:31; Mic 4:13; Hab 2:9 (Lxx = pleonexia); Mal 3:14 Usage in NASB: dishonest gain(4), end(1), gain(7), illicitly(1), plunder(1), profit(4), unjust gain(4), unjust*(1). Oswalt notes that "lust for personal gain is in direct opposition to unselfish devotion to God (Ps 10:3; 119:36; Isa 33:15) and must inevitably destroy the person who succumbs to it (Prov 1:19; 15:27; Hab 2:9). Perhaps its most disastrous result is its tendency to dull the hearing of God’s word (Ezek 33:31)." Judah was guilty of the sin of illicit profit… Jer 6:13 “For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely. Jer 8:10 “Therefore I will give their wives to others, Their fields to new owners; Because from the least even to the greatest Everyone is greedy for gain; From the prophet even to the priest Everyone practices deceit. Jer 22:17 “But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood And on practicing oppression and extortion.” We have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts - NIV has " What did we gain by… going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?" The Hebrew word for mourning is used only here in the OT and is translated by the Lxx with the word hiketes which describes one who comes to seek protection, a suppliant or fugitive. They are saying our mourning has been to no avail. Walter Kaiser - The skeptics’ last impudent charge was that “mourning” had yielded no profit either. The men had clothed themselves with dark clothing (the word for “mourning” comes from the verb “to be dark”), or perhaps had darkened their faces to convey grief and sorrow for the sin and plight of the nation, but concluded that their acts were useless. It is little wonder that they were useless, for once again the skeptics attributed worth to the acts themselves, though they were devoid of genuine piety (cf. Is. 58:2–12). Malachi 3:15 'So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape.'": we call: Mal 4:1 Es 5:10 Ps 10:3, 49:18, 73:12 Da 4:30,37 5:20-28 Ac 12:21 1Pe 5:5 Mal 2:17 Job 12:6 21:7-15,30 Pr 12:12 Ec 9:1,2 Jer 12:1,2 Hab 1:13-17 they also test: Nu 14:22,23 Da 6:16 Ps 78:18,41,56 95:9 106:14 Mt 4:6,7 Ac 5:9 1Co 10:9 Heb 3:9 Malachi 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PIOUS PRESUMPTION PERSISTS! NLT - From now on we will say "Blessed are the arrogant." For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them go free of harm." (Malachi 3:14-15) So now we call the arrogant blessed - This is the fourth and final mention of blessing in Malachi. In Mal 2:2 God said "I will curse your blessings." In Mal 3:10 God encouraged them to test Him and He would bless them "until it overflows." Mal 3:12 describes a future eschatological blessing promised to Israel. Arrogant (02986)(zed) conveys the basic idea of pride, presumptuous (Ps 19:13-note), a sense of self-importance, and often is exaggerated to defiance and rebelliousness (Pr 11:2, Jer 49:16; 50:31-32; Ezek 7:10). This is the same word used again in Malachi 4:1-note. The doers of wickedness (are) built up - "This atrocious insinuation, that God favored evil-doers, was the highest insult they could have uttered, and was that which, as it were, drove God to inflict his judgments upon them." (T V Moore) Doers of wickedness indeed often do appear to be doing good, but God gets the last word. Even godly Asaph lost sight of Who God really is and as a result he fell into the same deception voiced here in Mal 3:15… Behold, these are the wicked; and always at ease, they have increased in wealth. Surely in vain (Lxx = mataios) I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence. (Ps 73:12-13) They also test God and escape - Kaiser "The wicked, they had blasphemously implied, can tempt God and go free; nothing bad ever happens to them. How frequently have we heard that claim in our day!" Clearly Israel had either not read or had forgotten what they had read in the Pentateuch where God declared… Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs, which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet (note the striking contrast!) have put Me to the test (Hebrew = nacah; Lxx = peirazo) these ten times and have not listened to My voice, shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. (Nu 14:22-23, cf Ps 78:18-19, 41-42, 56-58) The psalmist also testifies that those who tested God did not escape but were justly punished… "When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. "For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. "Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest." (Ps 95:9-11) TWO WAYS TO TEST GOD Malachi 3:10 Malachi 3:15 Testing God to see how far He would go in blessing Testing God to see how far they could go in evil James Smith - FULLNESS OF BLESSING. Malachi 3:7-17. Malachi was the last of the prophets. The times in which he lived, about 400 years before Christ, were typical of any modern community (see vv. 13, 14). I. The Condition of Blessing. There was— 1. THE DIVINE CHALLENGE. "Prove Me now herewith, if I will not open the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (v. 10). What a promise this is, and what a challenge to our faith. "Prove me." "Put Me to the test, and see if I will not do this for you." Don't let the greatness of the blessing make your faith to stagger. Remember that He who hath promised is the Almighty and Unchangeable Lord (v. 6). What He hath promised He is well able to perform. 2. THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse" (v. 10). The tithe was the tenth of the increase, given for the priests who served in the house of the Lord. It was reckoned as belonging to God. They were to "render to God the things that are God's." But we as Christians are not promised fulness of blessing if we give Him a tenth of our increase, although even this will bring blessing into the soul. We are called upon to give to God that which belongs to Him. "Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price" (1 Cor. 6:20). God is not satisfied when we give Him only part of what is His own (Acts 5:2). If we are to have the "open windows of Heaven" and the "poured out blessing," we must present ourselves unto God. This is our reasonable service (Rom. 12:1). "Yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments unto God" (Rom. 6:13). We can only prove Him when we have fulfilled His conditions. II. The Evidences of Being Blessed. 1. "THEY FEARED THE LORD AND THOUGHT UPON HIS NAME" (V. 16). Reverential fear is a blessed state of mind, for it leads to a deeper thinking into the preciousness of His Holy Name, that Name which is above every name. O fear the Lord, ye saints of His. 2. "THEY SPAKE OFTEN ONE TO ANOTHER." We are not told what they said, but if they were thinking of the wondrous Name of the Lord, they were surely speaking of Him. Herein lies the secret and joy of Christian fellowship. They had a common cause. 3. THEY HAD THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. "The Lord hearkened and heard" (v. 16). His promise was fulfilled: "Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). To the mere onlooker nothing happened. But the Lord was "listening in." We have open ears when we hear others speaking of us, and mentioning our name. So the Lord hearkens when we talk of Him. But the Lord is no idle listener. A "book of remembrance" was written, a memorandum was kept. For this thing so precious to Him shall never be forgotten. This thing may be written in that other book mentioned in Revelation 20:12. All spiritual values are associated with His Name. 4. THEY HAD THE LORD'S COMFORTING ASSURANCE. "They shall be Mine when I make up My special treasure" (v. 17). "They thought of Me when in the midst of a perverse people, who said, It is vain to serve the Lord" (v. 14). "I will think of them in that day when I gather out all that is worth saving from a wrecked and sinking world." What an encouragement we have here for the prayer and fellowship meeting, for quiet seasons of meditation. The Lord knoweth the thoughts and intents of the heart. His special treasure is the Church, redeemed by His own Blood. "They shall be Mine." (Handfuls of Purpose) Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.: feared: Mal 3:5 4:2 Ge 22:12 1Ki 18:3,12 Job 28:28 Ps 33:18 111:10 112:1 Ps 147:11 Isa 50:10 Ac 9:31 10:2 Rev 15:4 spoke: Dt 6:6-8 1Sa 23:16-18 Es 4:5-17 Ps 16:3 66:16 73:15-17 119:63 Pr 13:20 Eze 9:4 Da 2:17,18 Lk 2:38 24:14-31 Jn 1:40-47 Jn 12:20-22 Ac 1:13 2:1 4:23-30 Eph 5:19 1Th 5:11,14 Heb 3:13 Heb 10:24 12:15 and the: 2Sa 7:1 2Ch 6:7 Ps 139:4 Mt 18:19,20 Ac 4:31-33 book: Es 2:23 6:1 Job 19:23-25 Ps 56:8 Isa 65:6 Da 7:10 Mt 12:35-37 Rev 20:12 esteem: Ps 10:4, 20:7, 94:19, 104:33 Isa 26:3,8 Heb 4:12,13 Malachi 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE RIGHTEOUS REMNANT Then - After the nay sayers had had their say, then the godly spoke up. Those who feared the LORD (cp Mal 4:2) - In context fear of Jehovah describes the remnant of Jews who trusted not in works of righteousness but trusted in the righteousness of the Messiah for their salvation (cp Ge 15:6). Notice that fear of the LORD is a key phrase (mentioned twice). "They feared the Lord, which means they held Him in awe (Ed: honored, revered) and worshiped Him as the Lord Almighty. They met together (spoke to one another), not to complain but to encourage and edify each other." (Wiersbe) THOUGHT - Do you truly possess a healthy, holy fear of the LORD? If you do not, then you need to soberly ponder Paul's admonition in the form of a command in 2Cor 13:5+ "Test (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine (present imperative) yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test?" Solomon writes… The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For (term of explanation - what is Solomon explaining?) God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. (Eccl 12:13-14) John