In Malachi 3, God confronts the people of Judah over their harsh words against Him. They claimed to have kept God’s commands and even to have mourned over their sin but they were disingenuous. Throughout Malachi, God had been exposing their sin. Their lack of genuine repentance is evidenced by their harsh words, accusing God of favoring the wicked. In 3:18, the Lord assures them that does distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. Some of the people repented and God promised to spare them, remember them and make them a part of His treasured possession.