There is nothing more breathtaking than a beautiful diamond which has been properly cleaved to maximize its optical properties.
The stone is then cut into a faceted gem. The cutting process requires special knowledge and training, and it’s very difficult to bring out the best quality of the stone. Properly faceted, the diamond will sparkle with luster, and fire will reveal its pristine beauty.
Jewels are very special to the Lord. The high priest of Israel wore a breastplate set in gold with 12 precious stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:17–21). The New Jerusalem will be made up of awe-inspiring beautiful gems and materials (Revelation 21:19–21).
At the end of the Old Testament, Malachi mentioned that God has not forgotten the remnant within Israel that remained faithful to Him. In fact, God recorded the names of those that reverenced Him in a “book [scroll] of remembrance.” This scroll may be related to the Book of Life (cf. Daniel 12:1; Revelation 20:12). They are not only recorded in a book, but God called them “My jewels” (Malachi 3:17).
Since the nation of Israel’s inception, there has been a remnant that followed the Lord, obeyed the commandments of God, and lived a righteous life. A remnant is a small minority of people who will remain faithful to God when the majority does not. There has always been a remnant of righteous, God-fearing believers in Israel. Scripture makes it very clear, “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved” (Romans 9:27).
Jewish Remnant Remembered
God is keeping a gem book of His own called the “book of remembrance.” Malachi wrote, “So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lᴏʀᴅ and who meditate on His name” (Malachi 3:16).
These are Jewish people whose commitment was not masked with hypocrisy. They are referred to as those who feared the Lord.The phrase “fear the Lord” means to hold God in awe and reverence for who He is. It means to recognize God as the “beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7)—that is, the foundation or starting point of a life that pleases Him.
This was not a fear based on feelings but was the result of hearing, learning, and responding to who God is, as declared in His Word. Those who feared God would keep His commandments, walk in righteousness, and put aside anything that would hinder worship and service to Him. They who feared the Lord received wisdom from God, which brought blessing and favor.
The Old Testament is replete with accounts of men and women who served God out of a healthy fear. Abraham offered Isaac on the altar of sacrifice out of a godly fear. God saw that a remnant meditated on the things about Him, for they “thought upon His name” (Malachi 3:16). The faithful remnant fixed their minds on God.
Jewish Remnant’s Relationship
God says of them, “They shall be Mine, … on the day that I make them My jewels” (Malachi 3:17). Those who fear the Lord have a special relationship with Him; they are called His “jewels,” meaning God’s treasured possession. These God-fearers are more precious than gold, silver, or the whole of the Lord’s creation. Israel became God’s treasured possession when they entered into a covenant relationship with Him (Deuteronomy 7:6).
In addition to being God’s possession, Israel will also receive God’s protection. God said He “will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him” (Malachi 3:17). The Lord has compassion on all those who fear Him, just as an earthly father has compassion on his children. God spares and blesses the righteous because they are His sons and serve Him in righteousness. The Lord cared for them in love through all of their wilderness wanderings (Isaiah 63:9), and His love is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3).
God promised He would spare them “in that day” (3:17)—the day of the Messiah’s coming, when He pours out judgment on the ungodly and blessing on the righteous. During the Great Tribulation, God will spare a faithful remnant from Israel and bring them safely into His Kingdom.
Jewish Remnant Rewarded
When the Lord returns, Israel will be given convincing proof of God’s moral government over this world. “Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (Malachi 3:18). The crass accusations made by most in Judah—that God favors and blesses the wicked—will be proven false, for in that day God will bring swift judgment on all the wicked. The righteous remnant will see that He does reward those who faithfully fear and serve Him. The testimony on the lips of the righteous will be, “So that men will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely, He is God who judges in the earth’” (Psalm 58:11).
The righteous remnant will see that He does reward those who faithfully fear and serve Him.
Just as Israel was God’s treasure in the Old Testament, there is a present-day remnant of Jewish believers according to the election of grace. They are gems whose value is unseen by most Christians—gems that will be transformed into beautiful and priceless trophies of God’s grace. Romans 9:27 says, “Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: ‘Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved.’” Paul said, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (11:5).
Maybe you recall the parable of the “treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). The “man” is the Lord; the “field” is the world. He immediately sold everything which he owned (His life) to purchase the field (by means of His priceless blood). Just as Israel was God’s treasure in the Old Testament (cf. Exodus 19:5; Psalm 135:4), it’s still God’s treasure hidden in the world today. One reason Jesus the Messiah came was to redeem Israel as God’s special treasure. Because they rejected Him at His First Coming, this will take place at His Second Coming when all Israel will be saved.
There is a world of Jewish jewels, loved by God, yet to be mined. Jewels that are buried in the mass of humanity whose value is unseen by the world. Jewels that are yet to be transformed into beautiful and priceless trophies of God’s grace. Let’s faithfully demonstrate God’s love to them in all we do.
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It is humbling to consider that I am a remnant of a remnant, etc. etc. Praise Yahweh