"'For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. 'Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.'" Malachi 4:1-6
150 years after returning from the Babylonian captivity 597BC-538BC), the people of God are walking in a spirit of malaise and half-heartedness in their relationship with Jehovah. Malachi's prophecy comes as a wake-up call to renewed covenant living on the part of God's people.
1. The rising sun of righteousness (v.2a).
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil." Isaiah 9:2-3
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12
2. Healing in its wings (v.2b).
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
New City Catechism: Question 26
Q: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.
“Longing, breathing, panting after deliverance is a grace in itself, that has a mighty power to conform the soul into the likeness of the thing longed after.” John Owen, The Mortification of Sin
3. Leaping like calves from the stall (v.2c).
The coming of the Messiah King, and His empowering grace by the Holy Spirit leads to a joy as we live out of the overflow of the knowledge of our union with Christ.
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart," Ephesians 5:18-19
There is a glorious measure of freedom as we walk in the power of the Lord, while simultaneously groaning under the burden of indwelling sin and personality of brokenness.
4. Tread down (v.3).
"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble." Proverbs 4:18-19
5. Renewed Priorities (v.6): lives that are attuned and ordered under biblical priorities
Themes:
1. We live today in light of THAT DAY (v.1).
2. Memento mori (“remember you must die”)
3. Our prayer: let me see and experience you as the Light which dispels darkness and brings hope.
4. In 2026, to glorify God by His power, I will bring change to ______.
5. Holy Spirit, bring overflowing joy as I understand/ponder the majesty and mercy of Jesus.
6. God is most glorified in us, and we are most satisfied in Him.
7. Give me kingdom advancing priorities to the glory of your name and my happiness.