Malachi Chapter Four, The Sun Of Righteousness

 

Here we find the fruit of human works merging into the fruit of the womb, and the traditions the Canaanites passed on to their children, including sorcery (witchcraft), phallic idolatry and sexual practices, and child sacrifice. Believers are commanded to, “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them,” Ephesians 5:11. On a smaller scale judgment had come to Canaan, and all the proud, yes, all who did wickedly, were stubble before the day that burned them up. Canaan’s conquest revealed not only God’s judgment upon man’s iniquity and our unwillingness to surrender our sinful pleasures, it concurrently exposed human inadequacy for doling out divine judgment. Judges 1:27-35 demonstrate human bias and partiality for a variety of reasons, leading to compromise. First God’s command is compromised, followed by the people being compromised as they mingle God’s truth with human error. The result of the remainder of Judges was summarized in the verse: “everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” Judges 17:6. Malachi 4:1 is God’s answer to the question of “Where is the God of justice?” asked in 2:17, and His remedy to sinful men seeming to escape said justice in 3:15 can be found here. “[God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained,” Acts 17:31.

Malachi Chapter Four, The Day Is Coming

 

Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” says the LORD of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. [2] But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out like stall-fed calves. [3] You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,” says the LORD of hosts.

 

The lead up in the final verses of chapter 3 has brought us back to what the prophets referred to as the Day of the Lord. Having already touched on this event in Malachi 3:1-5, it is hardly unfamiliar territory. However, the Day of the Lord is expounded upon to reveal a salvific element not mentioned by Malachi previously.

The Purpose Of A Biblical Commentary

 

I have wondered to myself of late, if I were asked to define what a biblical commentary is, what I would say. Commentaries have been around for many centuries, prior to the time of Christ, and many, many capable (or incapable) men and women have sought to expound on God’s word. But this avoids the initial question: what is a biblical commentary? I believe the terms commentary and exposition are identically interchangeable. An exposition means that we are attempting to draw something out of the text, expanding and explaining it in finer detail. In the case of biblical exegesis I would also add using Scripture as the framework for this project, because the Bible answers to itself, being internally harmonious.

Malachi Chapter Three, Biblical Faith

 

Malachi 3:17 “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels.” And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” [18] Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

 

Verse 17 is a direct lead in from the prior verse, indicating that those Jews who spoke to one another and feared God would be His. He claimed them for Himself, this faithful remnant that actually desired to obey and to reverence God’s word. However, the verse becomes more specific as to the nature of God’s timing. “On the day that I make them My jewels,” Malachi informs us. There is a specific time, the Lord declares, that He will act to make this righteous remnant His own. To discern proper context we look ahead to Malachi 4:1. Verses 17 and 18 talk about the jewels God will take from Israel, those faithful who serve Him, as opposed to the professors that do not. More, His taking of them will be clearly discernable (verse 18) because the coming day (4:1) will bring destruction to the proud and salvation to the remnant (4:3). God’s answer to the proud, and to those who envy the proud and are led astray by the error of the wicked is this: “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you,” Revelation 3:9.