“Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”
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. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
Comment: There are two responses by the population above and below the gap in the quoted passage. Above the gap people see worship of God and obedience to Him, repenting (mourning), and vain. They call evildoers as the prosperous one, and the arrogant blessed.
Below the line those who feared God, presumably the lesser number, talked what is presumed in favour of God and His way. They are called God’s treasured possession and their names are listed in a book for future reference when God calls them before judgement day. It pays us to remember that God the Judge does curse but He also blesses. Our response to Him needs to be appropriate! We choose between serving and not serving Him!
Prayer: Please help me to be wise and faithful to You in my choices.
As I read it! 