Malachi 4:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They remain vigilant and composed, showcasing their expertise by attending not only to the waterway and the celestial bodies, but also the shifting winds. Their wisdom is such that, faced with powerful gusts threatening to capsize the vessel, they promptly adjust the sails to preempt any peril, skillfully opposing the tempest to protect the ship from disaster. If those pursuing worldly aims upon the physical ocean maintain such a robust spirit, how much more should we remain in a state of alertness, given the greater threats that heedlessness entails and the increased safety found in wakefulness. Our vessel is not constructed of timber, but rather is built upon divine teachings. It is not the heavenly bodies above that guide us, but the Radiance of Truth that steers our journey. We hold the rudder, not in anticipation of the winds’ force, but in expectation of the gentle guidance of the Spirit.

He manifested the Father through Himself and, via an unspeakable mystery, filled our souls with joy and wisdom, imparting knowledge of Him. Yet even in this enlightenment, as blessed Paul articulates, we have been enriched ‘in every word, and in every understanding’ (1 Cor. 1:5), and ‘in all wisdom’ (Eph. 1:8). For now, we perceive ‘through a glass, darkly’ and understand ‘in part’ (1 Cor. 13:12); however, ‘that which is perfect will come’ (1 Cor. 13:10), and we will attain a complete understanding of Christ when He shines forth again from heaven, abolishing our partial knowledge and the reflections of our current understanding (1 Cor. 13:10). He will illuminate us as fully perfected beings, bestowing upon us a divine, indescribable light, and delighting us with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, the divinely inspired Paul declared, ‘prophecies shall fail’ and knowledge will cease (1 Cor. 13:8). This doesn’t imply that we will transition from partial knowledge to complete ignorance; on the contrary, the future hope is not detrimental to the souls of the saints, nor does it involve losing what we have without gaining something superior or elevating our minds to something greater. Prophecies will cease, and knowledge will end, as a superior understanding will come to our souls. When a small lamp shines in a home, providing limited light to those present, and a larger lamp is introduced, the light from the smaller one naturally seems to vanish, giving way to the stronger illumination of the larger lamp. And just as the stars appear inactive in the presence of the sun, so too, the arrival of perfect knowledge will render the lesser knowledge obsolete. Christ told His holy apostles, ‘I have spoken these things in proverbs: but the time is coming when I will speak no more unto you in proverbs, but I will show you plainly of the Father’ (John 16:25). Thus, to the saints who hold God’s name in deep reverence and strive for every virtue in this world, Christ will shine as a sun of righteousness, imparting rays of the most complete knowledge, delivering them from all spiritual frailty, and far removing them from their original grief. This concept of ‘healing in His wings’ is akin to the eagle caring for its young, reminiscent of what the wise Moses described regarding God and those liberated from Egypt: ‘like an eagle that stirs up her nest, fluttering over her young, He spread abroad His wings; He took them, He bore them on His wings’ (Deuteronomy 32:11). In this present age, our flesh often distracts us, enticing our spirits toward inappropriate pleasures and reinforcing the law of sin within our members (Rom. 7:23). Yet, through Christ’s goodness, they are overcome. It is akin to the mind being intoxicated and misled by passions, as pride, worldly recognition, anger, greed, and other vices weigh us down. However, when we are enriched with the assurance of the Spirit through Christ (1 Cor. 1:5), we gain the capacity to conquer these passions, not without our own diligence. In the age to come, we will possess the full brilliance of divine knowledge, having been blessed with the most precious gift of the Holy Spirit, and liberated from corruption and bodily cravings. We will serve God wholly, unhindered by sin or any innate passions, living lives that are pure and free, akin to the holy angels. It is written of the saints, ‘they shall forget their former troubles, and they shall not come to mind’ (Isaiah 65:16)—rather, there will be ‘everlasting joy upon their heads’ and ‘gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away’ (Isaiah 35:10). Thus, the prophet, or God, the Creator and Bestower of these blessings, proclaims: ‘You shall go forth and rejoice, as young calves are released from their restraints.’ Just as young oxen, unleashed from their ties, frolic through lush fields, so too will the saints, freed from the burdens of sorrow, anxiety, and toil in this life, find joy befitting the virtuous, trampling down the lawless, who are no longer opposing, but have already been overcome and lie beneath their feet. There will be a complete cessation of conflict; there will be ‘no lion there, nor any harmful creatures’ according to what is written (Is. 35:9), and instead, ‘the way shall be clean, and the path shall be called holy’ (Is. 35:8). Indeed, the life of the saints will be free from strife and will be pure at that time.

Elizabeth, in her advanced years, bore the final prophet, while young Mary brought forth the Lord of angels. The daughter of Aaron delivered the voice crying out in the wilderness, and the daughter of King David gave birth to the Word of the Heavenly King. The wife of the priest welcomed the angel of His presence, and David's daughter brought forth the Mighty God of the earth. The woman once barren gave life to the One who forgives sins, while the virgin bore the One who erases transgressions. Elizabeth introduced the One who reconciles humanity through repentance, whereas Mary presented the One who purifies the earth from its defilements. The elder Elizabeth illuminated her lineage, represented by John, and the youthful Mary radiated the light of righteousness to all nations. An angel announced to Zacharias that John, who faced martyrdom at the hands of Herod, would proclaim the Gospel of the crucified Christ; he who suffered hatred would preach the message of the One who was persecuted out of jealousy; and he who baptized with water would herald the One who baptizes with fire and the Holy Spirit. The clear lamp heralded the Sun of righteousness, and the Spirit-filled proclaimed the Giver of the Spirit. The priest's trumpet sang for Him who will arrive with the sound of the last trumpet; the voice crying out in the wilderness proclaimed the Word, and the one who witnessed the dove descended upon Him, just as lightning precedes thunder.

Meanwhile, those who fear God and thoughtfully reflect on His name have spoken against these misguided declarations. The Lord took notice of them and listened, writing a record for those who honor Him. He promises that when that day arrives, they will be His treasured possession, spared just as a father spares his beloved son. He clarifies this intention: a day of judgment is coming, one that will shine brightly for the righteous but cast darkness upon sinners. This day will be as fiery as a furnace, where the wicked will be transformed into straw and consumed by the flames. As they burn and become ashes, no trace of their evil deeds will remain. This warns of the suffering awaiting the wicked at judgment, while for those who honor God, the opposite truth prevails: the Sun of righteousness shall rise over you, for all things will be revealed in truth, leaving no room for good or evil to remain hidden. Healing shall come on His wings for those who repent, bearing them up as it's described in Deuteronomy: “Stretching forth His wings, He received them, and on His own ramparts He bore them.” Then will emerge those who, in this life, have been imprisoned, they will rise like calves from the fold, freed from their bonds. The apostle expresses a similar yearning: “I long to be loosed and to be with Christ,” so that he may be liberated from the chains that bind him, like a sacrificial calf. Yet his joy is not limited to this release; he will also trample on the wicked as they become dust. To the righteous, a promise resonates: “God shall soon tread upon Satan beneath your feet.” Abraham, recognizing his own insignificance against God’s greatness, declared, “I am but dust and ashes.” Hence, he shall behold the Sun of righteousness, find repose among his inheritance, and ascend to heavenly realms on His wings. Meanwhile, the one who arrogantly claimed to elevate his throne above the stars shall be cast down to the earth, becoming dust under the feet of the saints when the Lord’s judgment day arrives.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 117:24) While the Lord created all days, others may pertain to the Jews, heretics, or Gentiles. However, the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection, belongs to Christians. It is named the Lord's Day because on this day the Victorious Lord ascended to the Father. If the Gentiles refer to it as the day of the sun, we gladly agree, for today the Light of the world has risen, today the Sun of Truth has dawned, and His rays bring healing.

The sun was created, and it serves Him, as it is written, Thou hast established the earth, which shall not be moved; by Thy will the days endure, for all creation serves Thee (LXX; Psalm 119:90-91).

Since Jacob's unwavering faith and commitment were resolute, the Lord unveiled to him the concealed mysteries by touching the sinew of his hip; for from his lineage was to be born of a virgin the Lord Jesus, who is fully equal and identical with God. The sinew of the hip represents His crucifixion, which brought salvation to all, as the forgiveness of sins was extended throughout the world, and He provided the resurrection of the dead through the crucifixion and death of His body. Thus, the sun shone for the holy James according to his merit, in whose lineage the cross of the Lord illuminated, for the Sun of righteousness has arisen for those who have encountered God, and He is the eternal sun. Yet, Jacob was wounded in one hip. Therefore, even to this day, the children of Israel abstain from the sinew (Gen. 32:32). Oh, if they had tasted and believed! Yet they were unwilling to fulfill the will of God; hence, they did not partake. Some interpret it thus: Jacob became lame in one hip, signifying that one of the two nations stemming from him would, as prophesied, become weak in faith. This reflects the nation that turned away from faith and became feeble.

As the divine Psalmist declares: "Earthly kingdoms, sing to God, sing praises to the Lord who ascends to the heavens of heavens, to the heights!" (LXX; Ps. 67:33-34). The Scriptures also proclaim: "And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He placed the man whom He had formed" (Gen. 2:8), only to be cast out for sin. Thus, we recognize our ancient homeland and, looking towards it, we worship God. The tabernacle of Moses featured its veil and purification area towards the east; the tribe of Judah had preference, being situated to the east; and in the renowned temple of Solomon, the gates faced eastward. As the Lord was crucified, He looked west, prompting us to position our worship in His sight. Furthermore, when He ascended to heaven, it was towards the east, and so the apostles worshiped Him, confident in His return, as they witnessed His ascent into heaven (Acts 1:11), in alignment with the words of the Lord: "For as lightning comes from the east and shines even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27). This anticipation of His return compels us to bow towards the east.

God is, as it is written, ‘the Sun of righteousness’ (Mal. 4:2), and He illuminates everyone with the rays of His Goodness. It is within the soul’s free will to become, as one devoted to God, like wax, or, swayed by materialism, like dirt. Just as dirt dries naturally in the sun while wax melts under its warmth, so too does every soul inclined toward materiality, choosing to imitate dirt, invite divine punishment. It hardens and, similar to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:13), leads itself to destruction. Conversely, each soul that loves God softens like wax, upon which divine images and likenesses are imprinted, becoming in the Spirit the dwelling place of God.