Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Zechariah Matthew
Malachi 4
Concise Complete
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)
Verses 1-3 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!
Verses 4-6 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.
Chapter 4:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 Zechariah Matthew
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
