Matthew Henry Commentary Malachi 4

Here is a reference to the first and to the second coming of Christ: God has fixed the day of both. Those who do wickedly, who do not fear God's anger, will feel it. It is certainly to be applied to the day of judgment, when Christ will be revealed in flaming fire, to execute judgment on the proud and all who do wickedly. In both, Christ is a rejoicing Light to those who serve him faithfully.

By the Sun of Righteousness, we understand Jesus Christ. Through him, believers are justified and sanctified, and so are brought to see light. His influences render the sinner holy, joyful, and fruitful. This is also applicable to the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit, brought into human souls. Christ gave the Spirit to those who are his, to shine in their hearts and to be a Comforter to them, a Sun and a Shield.

That day which will burn as an oven for the wicked, will be as bright as the morning for the righteous; it is what they wait for, more than those who wait for the morning. Christ came as the Sun, to bring not only light to a dark world but also health to a diseased world. Souls will increase in knowledge and spiritual strength. Their growth is like that of calves of the stall, not like the flower of the field, which is slender, weak, and soon withers.

The saints' triumphs are all owing to God's victories; it is not they who do this, but God who does it for them. Behold, another day is coming, far more dreadful to all who work wickedness than any that has gone before. How great, then, the happiness of the believer, when he goes from the darkness and misery of this world to rejoice in the Lord forevermore!

Here is a solemn conclusion, not only of this prophecy, but of the Old Testament. Conscience bids us remember the law. Though we do not have prophets, yet, as long as we have Bibles, we may keep up our communion with God. Let others boast in their proud reasoning, and call it enlightening, but let us keep near to that sacred word, through which this Sun of Righteousness shines upon the souls of his people.

They must keep up a believing expectation of the gospel of Christ and must look for its beginning. John the Baptist preached repentance and reformation, as Elijah had done. The turning of souls to God and their duty is their best preparation for the great and dreadful day of the Lord. John will preach a doctrine that will reach men's hearts and work a change in them.

Thus he will prepare the way for the kingdom of heaven. The Jewish nation, by wickedness, laid themselves open to the curse. God was ready to bring ruin upon them; but he will once more try to see if they will repent and return; therefore he sent John the Baptist to preach repentance to them. Let the believer wait with patience for his release, and cheerfully expect the great day, when Christ will come the second time to complete our salvation.

But those who do not turn to Him who smites them with a rod must expect to be smitten with a sword, with a curse. None can expect to escape the curse of God's broken law, nor to enjoy the happiness of his chosen and redeemed people, unless their hearts are turned from sin and the world, to Christ and holiness. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.

Amen.