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… From the most glorious creature, "the sun," He expresses the most glorious Creator, "Christ Jesus," taking occasion to help our understandings in grace by natural things, and teaching us thereby to make a double use of the creatures, corporal and spiritual. Christ is compared to the sun — 1. Because, as all light was gathered into the body of the sun, and from it derived to us, so it pleased God that in Him should the fulness of all excellency dwell. 2. As there is but one sun, so there is but one Sun of Righteousness. 3. As the sun is above the firmament, so Christ is exalted up on high, to convey His graces and virtues to all His creatures here below. 4. As the sun works largely in all things here below, so doth Christ. 5. As the sun is the fountain of light, and the eye of the world, so Christ is the fountain of all spiritual light. 6. As the sun directeth us whither to go and which way, so doth Christ teach us to go to heaven, and by what means; what duties to per. form, what things to avoid, and what things to bear. 7. As the sun is pleasant, and darkness is terrible, so Christ is comfortable; for He makes all at peace where He comes; and He sends the Spirit the Comforter. 8. By the beams of the sun is conveyed influence to make things grow, and to distinguish between times and seasons. Thus Christ, by His power, makes all things cheerful, for He quickens the dead and dark soul. 9. The sun works these effects not by coming down to us, but by influence. 10. As the sun doth work freely, drawing up vapours to dissolve them into rain upon the earth, so doth Christ. He freely draws up our hearts to heaven. 11. As the sun shines upon all, but doth not heat all, so Christ is offered to all. 12. As the sun quickens and puts life into dead creatures, so shall Christ, by His power, quicken our dead bodies, and raise them up again. How shall we know whether Christ be to us a sun or not? If we find that we feel the heat and comfort of a Christian, it is a sign that Christ hath effectually shined on us. If Christ have shined upon any effectually, they will walk comely, as children of the light. Uses of this doctrine — (1) We should pity their estate that are still in darkness. (2) We should repair to Him, and conceive of Him as one having excellences suitable to our wants.The text describes this Sun as "with healing in His wings," or beams. In these beams there is a healing nature. Naturally, we are all sick and wounded. We should take notice of our diseases in time, and go to the healing God. Christ hath a medicine of His own, able to cure any disease, though never so desperate, any person, though never so sick. Then why are we not healed? What means this that we are subject to these infirmities of ours? Some of Christ's works are all at once perfected, and some by degrees, by little and little. The text also promises, "Ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." "You shall leap forth." Both expressions signify a cheerful moving. We need to grow up. What are means thereunto? 1. Purge and cleanse the soul of weakening matter. Practise the duty of repentance daily. 2. Come at good food. Digest comfortable truths. 3. Use exercise of holy duties.Take heed not to lightly esteem God's ordinance; but in reverence use all means for the strengthening of our faith; by the Word, sacraments, and prayer. How shall we know whether we are grown? If we relish the food of our souls, the Word of God; are able to bear great burdens of the infirmities of our brethren; able, like Samson, to break the green cords of pleasure and profits. Our growth in grace is seen in our Performance of duties: if they be strongly, readily, and cheerfully performed. Text says, "Ye shall tread down the wicked." While the Jews obeyed God, they were a terror to the whole earth. The Church treadeth, etc., in regard of true judgment and discerning of the estates of the wicked. The Church tramples on all things that rule wicked men. The promise of the text is finally accomplished at the day of judgment. ( Sibbes, Richard.) 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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