Because of his faithfulness to his covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, the Lord refused to make a full end of Israel, as he did with other nations (Isaiah 1:9; Jeremiah 5:18; Jeremiah 30:11; Jeremiah 46:28; Amos 9:8). The Lord always preserved for himself a remnant of faithful servants (1 Kings 19:15–18). Also in Malachi’s day, there was this remnant of faithful among the unfaithful. These fear the Lord, which means more than that they stand in awe of God. These fear the wrath of God, knowing that God is a jealous God, a consuming fire. This godly fear instils in them a terror of incurring God’s wrath, and incites them to obedience (Exodus 20:18; Deuteronomy 5:23–29). It is this faithful remnant in unfaithful Israel to whom this verse refers.
16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.