The third expression of how God deals with His own as a man with his son is found in the last book of the Old Testament, in the Book of Malachi. This book describes a very sad state among the people of Israel. Most of them were unfaithful and could only expect the judgment of God. But there was a faithful remnant among them who were walking in the fear of the Lord. We find in this chapter a wonderful description of this remnant and the Lord’s reaction: “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (3:16).

When God would bring His judgment on the people of Israel, He would spare this remnant as a man spares his son that serves him. How carefully will God watch over these faithful believers because they are like a son who serves Him. That is the way God will deal in a future time with the faithful remnant in Israel.

In the New Testament we find a similar situation at the end of the Christian dispensation. The majority will be at the point of being judged: “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:16). But there is a remnant, addressed in the letter to Philadelphia, whom the Lord will spare before the judgment comes: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole habitable world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10 jnd).