Remembrance of the Righteous
“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty ...and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
Malachi 3:14, 16
While studying in Israel some time back, my wife and I were privileged to take a “day trip” to the Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, located in the city of Jerusalem. I can’t tell you how moving it was to walk through this heart-breaking display of mankind’s depravity.
Piles of shoes and stacks of luggage bore mute testimony to millions of lives lost. Haunting pictures and wailing voices added to the horror of it all.
We staggered out of the museum with lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes. Our guide then said, “There’s one more thing you need to see.”
He then took us to a beautiful garden located on the grounds outside the museum. It was called the “Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations.” There, among the flowers and trees, those Gentiles who risked their lives to save Jews from the Nazis are honored.
Over 26,000 names from 51 countries are noted. They amount to more than 10,000 authenticated rescue stories.
We saw the tribute to Oskar Schindler, the industrialist who saved the lives of 1,200. We also saw the name of the Dutch watchmaker Corrie ten Boom who, along with her family, tried to hide dozens of Jews in her home.
Name after name was listed. It’s as if the nation of Israel was determined to make a statement that would be a lasting memorial: “Your deeds were seen, and they will not be forgotten.”
A Scroll of Remembrance
I got to thinking about that as I read in the 3rd chapter of Malachi how some unnamed questioners wondered whether being counted among the righteous was worth it.
Times were hard. Compromise was rampant. Faithfulness was in short supply.
The text says that God heard their question and a scroll of remembrance was written that included the names of the righteous.
The message was clear. God has a book where He records the deeds of the righteous ones.
We may never be asked to make such a dramatic decision as Oskar Schindler or Corrie ten Boom.
However, it is very likely that we will face the choice to either speak out against injustice or remain silent; to provide assistance to someone in trouble or turn away; to choose to do right when all those around are choosing to do wrong, or to follow the crowd.
While, indeed, Christ is our ultimate righteousness and our standing with God is gained through Him alone, the Bible makes it clear that taking our stand for good in the midst of evil does not go unnoticed by our Father.
He sees. He remembers. And He will honor those who seek to be listed among the righteous.
Taking a stand for good in the midst of evil does not go unnoticed by our Father. He sees. He remembers. And He will honor those who seek to be listed among the righteous.
Who knows? Perhaps that list will be displayed in the eternal garden to come for all to see.
Prayer
Lord, may I learn a great lesson from the brave men and women who dared to be numbered among the righteous during the Holocaust. And, knowing how they were honored and remembered, inspire me to go and do likewise.
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