The Thinker Malachi 4:2 But to you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and you shall go forth… There is a touch of sadness about the Book of Malachi. His are parting words, and they show how God's people had degenerated, had lost their fervour, and become content with a mere outward service. Malachi revealed the spiritual state of the people to themselves, denounced their sins, and warned them of judgment to come. But he does not leave them without hope. It is the manner of Hebrew prophecy to blend together different events which have relation to one another, and here we have words which belong to both comings of Christ. I. CHRIST'S FIRST COMING. Described under the image of the rising of the sun. This implies that the world was in a state of darkness before the Incarnation. The title which the prophet gives to Christ, "the Sun of Righteousness," marks one great purpose of His advent illumination. "Healing in His wings," applies to the work of Christ, in body and soul. As the rays of the sun look like wings when they stretch out across the heavens, so this healing work of Christ extends, by means of His mystic body, the Church, far and wide over the nations. II. WHO PROFIT BY IT? 1. Light is diffusive. 2. But we may close our eyes against it, or hide from it. 3. Christ is the sun to those who fear His name. 4. Christ's light was convictive, as well as attractive. 5. Even our Lord's first coming was, in some sense, an act of judgment.Lessons — 1. Realise the need of spiritual illumination. 2. Question ourselves how far the light and healing effects of Christ's coming have reached us, and how far our daily life is influenced by His presence. 3. To be clear about the fact whether He is a "swift witness" against us, or the "Sun of Righteousness," depends upon ourselves and our use of the grace which is given to us. (The Thinker.) Parallel Verses KJV: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. |
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