THE LORD OF HOSTS

‘And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels’, Mal. 3.17.

‘The Lord of hosts’, Jehovah of the armies, is used twenty four times in the book of Malachi alone. This title conveys judgement from a God who not only controls the cosmos but the mighty angelic army of heaven, as well as using the armies of nations at times, 1 Sam. 17. 45; Isa. 13.13; Jer. 6. 6. This title conveys a God who is to be feared for His holiness and for His just judgements.

In Malachi’s day, God’s people had lost their passion and fear of God in their worship and service. To His own He will ask the question, ‘Where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts’, Mal. 1. 6. They had religious form without spiritual zeal. Chapter 1 reveals that the pleasing of God in His house, the temple, according to His desires and word, was not their passion. Thus, the Lord tells those who did not fear Him, ‘I will come near to you to judgment … saith the Lord of hosts’, Mal. 3. 5. God’s people, not just the pagan, needed to be reminded that ‘I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen’, Mal. 1. 14.

It is the book of Revelation that reveals the personal identity of the Lord of hosts. There, John sees the slain lamb of Calvary, Jesus the Christ, descending with the mighty armies of heaven to wage war with the rebels of this world. On His vesture is the name emblazoned ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’ as He leads the hosts, Rev. 19.11-16.

The wonder of wonders in our text is that it is the Lord of hosts who encourages the remnant of God’s people that fear Him. That day of fierce judgement will also be a time of reward, for a book of remembrance will be written. Rather than a word of judgement, they will hear from none other than the Lord of hosts, ‘they shall be mine’ - and are called ‘my jewels’. How this should increase our appreciation of the gracious work of the Lord at the cross.

Also, in a day of lukewarmness, may we be encouraged to be a God-fearing company of His people.