Mal. 4:11a| day| Joel 1:15;| Mal. 3:2;| 2|Pet. 3:7
| See note 171 in ch. 3.
Mal. 4:1b| burning| 2|Thes. 1:7
Mal. 4:21a| Sun| 2|Sam. 23:4;| Psa. 84:11;| Luke 1:78;| Matt. 17:2
| [ par. 1 2 ]
Mal. 4:21 [1]| The healing Christ, who Himself is the healing of God’s people and of the nations. Christ is the Sun that heals us as it shines upon us. Christ’s being our healing is based on His being the Sun of righteousness. The word Sun indicates life (cf. John 1:4), and the word righteousness indicates justice. The whole earth is filled with death and injustice, but with the healing Christ there is life and justice. Today we, the believers in Christ, enjoy Christ’s shining as the Sun of righteousness for our growth in life in the dispelling of darkness, and also for our healing in life in the effacing of unrighteousness. Our hope, our expectation, is that Christ is coming as the Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings to heal the nations from darkness and unrighteousness. We are waiting for Him as the Desire of the nations (3:1b; Hag. 2:7b) and as the Sun of righteousness.
Mal. 4:21 [2]| In relation to Israel, Christ came the first time to heal the degraded priesthood (3:1-4), but in His second coming, He will heal the remnant of the people of Israel. Then He will be everything to the nations and to His people. This healing Christ will come suddenly. Thus, we need to be alert, ready to receive Him.
Mal. 4:22b| healing| Psa. 103:3;| Hosea 6:1;| Rev. 22:2
| See note 102 in ch. 3.
Mal. 4:4b| Horeb| Deut. 4:10
Mal. 4:41| statutes
| See note 64 in Luke 1.
Mal. 4:51a| Elijah| Matt. 11:14;| 17:11;| Mark 9:11;| Luke 1:17;| cf. John 1:21
| This refers to the coming of Elijah as one of the two witnesses during the great tribulation (Matt. 24:21). See Matt. 17:11 and note; Rev. 11:3 and note 2.
Mal. 4:52b| day| Joel 1:15;| 2:31
| See note 151 in Joel 1.
Mal. 4:6b| curse| Zech. 5:3;| 14:11