Malachi4
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.
3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make, saith Jehovah of hosts.
4Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, even statutes and ordinances.
5Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.
6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Malachi 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The judgements on the wicked, and the happiness of the righteous. (1–3). Regard to be had to the law; John the Baptist promised as the forerunner of Messiah. (4–6).
vv1-3
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, shall feel it. It is certainly to be applied to the day of judgment, when Christ shall be revealed in flaming fire; to execute judgment on the proud, and all that 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. It is applicable to the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit, brought into the souls of men. 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 to the wicked will burn as an oven, will to the righteous be bright as the morning; it is what they wait for, more than those that wait for the morning. Christ came as the Sun, to bring, not only light to a dark world, but health to a distempered world. Souls shall increase in knowledge and spiritual strength. Their growth is as that of calves of the stall, not as the flower of the field, which is slender and weak, and soon withers. The saints' triumphs are all owing to God's victories; it is not they that do this, but God who does it for them. Behold another day is coming, far more dreadful to all that work wickedness than any which is 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 for evermore!
vv4-6
Here is a solemn conclusion, not only of this prophecy, but of the Old Testament. Conscience bids us remember the law. Though we have not 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 the beginning of it. John the Baptist preached repentance and reformation, as Elijah had done. The turning of souls to God and their duty, is the best preparation of them for the great and dreadful day of the Lord. John shall preach a doctrine that shall reach men's hearts, and work a change in them. Thus he shall 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 whether 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 shall come the second time to complete our salvation. But those must expect to be smitten with a sword, with a curse, who turn not to Him that smites them with a rod. 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.
Key Words
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִנֵּה: lo!
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָּעַר: to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish
תַּנּוּר: a fire-pot
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זֵד: arrogant
קַשׁ: straw (as dry)
לָהַט: properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to blaze
Cross References
Malachi 4Jesus directly identifies John the Baptist as the promised Elijah who was to come.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The disciples ask about Elijah, and Jesus confirms John's ministry fulfilled this prophecy.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Explicit New Testament citation and fulfillment of Elijah's preparatory mission to turn hearts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Zacharias alludes to the arising Sun as 'the day-spring from on high' visiting His people.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel imagery of the Lord arising as a glorious light over his people amidst darkness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts false expectations of the day of the Lord as light with its actual fiery judgment.
Supported by John Calvin
John the Baptist uses the same imagery of burning the wicked like useless stubble.
Supported by JFB
Verbal parallel to the proverbial destruction of the wicked, leaving them 'neither root nor branch'.
Supported by JFB
Direct continuity identifying 'you that fear my name' with the faithful remnant of chapter 3.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Poetic connection to the 'wings of the morning' corresponding to the Sun's healing rays.
Supported by JFB
New Testament comparison of prophetic word and Christ's coming to a rising day star.
Supported by JFB
Thematic identification of God as a Sun and a Shield to the upright.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Explains the transition from keeping the Law of Moses until the arrival of John.
Supported by JFB
Links the spiritual blessings of the Messiah's rising to divine, complete soul-healing.
Supported by JFB
Prophetic parallel describing the terrifying character of the 'great and dreadful day of the Lord'.
Supported by Matthew Henry