(Mal. 3:15-17)

The days were evil. Faith was at a low ebb. Israel, the favored earthly people of God, had been carried away captive because of their idolatry. But mercy had been shown to them, and a remnant of their number had been allowed to return and to rebuild the temple and the city of Jerusalem. But now they had shown that they were no better than their fathers, and so the prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi had been sent to them. Their ministry, however, had little effect. The people had ceased to build the house of God, for their own houses had occupied all their thoughts. They had robbed God, yet saw not where and how. They cried "Wherein?" in answer to every statement of Malachi in which he showed their wrong. The proud were called happy and those that did wickedness were set up. The condition in which they were found was serious indeed. Had it not been for the mercy of God they would have been consumed utterly. But He was unchanged.

The opening words of the prophet Malachi, "the messenger of the Lord," declare this:"I have loved you, saith the Lord." He had chosen to love them and He loved them still. Was there a reference in these words to what Moses had said centuries before when he declared to Israel, "The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you because ye were more in number than any people, for ye were the fewest of all people:but because the Lord loved you." He loved, because He loved. He had loved with an everlasting love and had chosen them, and nothing would deflect Him from His purpose.

Blessed it is for us in Christian days to know that this is true. "God is love," and He loves us not because of faithfulness on our part, for like Israel, we have proved unfaithful, but because of what He is Himself.

There is a similarity between the times of Malachi and these last days of the Church's history, of which we have a picture in the epistle to Laodicea. In it we see the Lord presented as outside the door and knocking. As it has been said, "That He is outside shows what the Church is; that He knocks shows what He is." He has declared their condition:they were self-satisfied though they were poor and blind and naked. But He counsels and charges them still. And He tells that His heart is unchanged as He declares, "As many as I love I rebuke and chasten."

In the midst of failure and breakdown He remains the same, whether it be with Israel of old or with the Church to-day. His dealings may change, but His heart is unaltered in its love.

In spite of the general indifference and failure of the people generally there were found some whose delight was in Jehovah. Of these we read, "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. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him."

"They feared the Lord." He had the true place in their thoughts. If all around feared Him not, what mattered it? He had His rightful claims, and they recognized them, and sought to walk in His sight according to His word. They "spake often one to another." They sought one another's company, and found their joy in communion. Though they would feel keenly the state of things about them, they were not soured, they did not isolate themselves. They companied together with those like-minded with themselves, and "spake one with another." This characterized them-they "spake one to another." They knew and communed with those who feared the Lord.

"And the Lord hearkened." He observed what they were doing. He was indifferent hi no wise to what was going on amid the declension and disregard of the people at large. He found pleasure in those who delighted in Him, even as they found pleasure in serving and in speaking of Him.

It is added,, "and heard." He not only gave His ear to listen, but the words uttered in their conversation were heard. Every syllable was treasured by Him who says to His own, "Let Me hear thy voice." He values their speech about Him, as He does their worship and praise.

For these a book of remembrance was written before Him, "for those that feared the Lord and that thought upon His name."

Is there not comfort, great comfort, in this latter clause for lonely ones who possibly are far away from all kindred spirits. For these, and for all of us, there is always the opportunity of meditating upon all that He is, as revealed in His holy Word. It is well to "take an inventory," as it has been expressed, of the names and titles under which He has revealed Himself. Each name or title has its own significance, and should be "thought upon" diligently.

And it might be good for us in these Christian days to make "a string of pearls" of the various names and titles of our Lord Jesus, connecting one or more with each letter of the alphabet as far as it is possible to do so. Having such an alphabet we might go over the names and titles when on a journey, or when sleepless at night. The result of so doing would be that when we come into contact with fellow-believers we can speak of something which has occupied our thoughts when we were alone.

From Malachi to the New Testament is but a step in our Bibles, but a period of some 400 years intervenes as to time. Much has transpired during these centuries of which we need not speak. Now the long-promised Messiah has been born, "A Saviour which is Christ the Lord." His coming brings to light some who fear the Lord and speak one to another-Elizabeth and Mary, Simeon and Anna. Of the last named we read that she, a widow of fourscore and four years, departs not "from the temple, but serves God day and night with fastings and prayers." She comes into the place where the infant Lord is found. She gives thanks and speaks "of Him" to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).

"They spake one to another." "She spake of Him." The two statements dovetail well. And we doubt not that the testimony to the coming of the Messiah had been the subject of the conversation of those in Malachi's day as He Himself, when come, was that of Anna.

Happy is it if in our time we seek out the company of those who fear the Lord and speak together with them of Him whom our soul loveth.

He is enough for us now as He was to saints in Malachi's day, and as He was in Anna's; and He will come in and sup with us and we with Him if we but hear His voice and open the door. I. Fleming