Malachi 3:16

[ISteveB]

Ever read Malachi 3:16?

It's actually pretty cool.

Mal 3:16-18 WEB 16 Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened, and heard, and a book of memory was written before him, for those who feared Yahweh, and who honored his name. 17 They shall be mine,” says Yahweh of Armies, “my own possession in the day that I make, and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18 Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve him.
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I first heard this in 1979, or early 1980 while talking with a group of guys outside the church after bible study one night.

Someone brought it up, and I was floored.

Imagine standing around talking about God, or some passage, and God bends his ear, and starts listening to your conversation about it with others who believe him.

Then.... he writes about it in his book, to keep a memory.

 

[Lost4words]

Awesome indeed. Thanks for sharing that

 

[Rachel20]

I wonder how much our conversation, even in writing on forums like this, would change if we really understood God was listening?

 

[Lost4words]

I sometimes think that God shakes His head in disbelief when He sees how people try to interpret His word.

 

[ISteveB]

I wonder how much our conversation, even in writing on forums like this, would change if we really understood God was listening?

I think that would depend entirely on how much we read scripture, and seek him.
We do read in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So, the more we read, the more we pray, it seems reasonable that we'd really increase in our recognition of this simple fact.....

Jesus also said that everything that is whispered in secret will be shouted from the rooftops.
As well as Psalms 139---God sees the origin of our thoughts..... the very source of where our thoughts originate..... that's a pretty potent idea.

 

[ISteveB]

I sometimes think that God shakes His head in disbelief when He sees how people try to interpret His word.

Indeed... especially when Peter tells us that there's no secret interpretations. 2 Peter 1:16-21.

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.​

 

[ISteveB]

At any rate.... my whole purpose for posting this passage is to generate the kind of conversation that will result in God bending his ear, and writing things that he can delight in our chit chat....