God's jewels!

(John MacDuff, "The Night Watches")

(You will find it helpful to Listen to the Audio, as you read the text below.)

"And they shall be Mine, says the Lord Almighty, in that day when I make up My jewels!" Malachi 3:17

"MY JEWELS!" Of what favored creatures does Jehovah thus speak?

Is it of seraphs? Is it of angels? Methinks, at such a title, even they would bow in the dust of abasement, and veiling their faces, cry, "Unclean! unclean!"

But marvel of marvels! It is redeemed sinners of the earth; the fallen children of men--once crude, unshapely stones, lying in "the horrible pit and the miry clay," amid the rubbish of corruption--who are thus sought out by sovereign grace, purchased by immutable love, and destined through eternity to be set as jewels in the crown of the eternal Savior!

A jewel in Immanuel's crown! Not only raised from the ash heap to be set among princes; but to gem through eternity, the forehead that for me was once wreathed with thorns!

"And they shall be Mine, says the Lord Almighty, in that day when I make up My jewels!" Malachi 3:17