Malachi 4:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They are alert and composed, demonstrating their expertise by observing not only the waters and the course of the stars, but also the shifting winds. Their wisdom is such that even amidst the fiercest winds, threatening to capsize the vessel, they adeptly adjust the sails in good time to avert danger, using their skill to withstand the strongest gusts and protect the ship from ruin. If those who sail for worldly gains upon this physical sea maintain such vigilance, how much more should we uphold this alertness, for the risks are greater for the inattentive and the security is found with those who remain watchful. Our vessel is not constructed from mere timber, but from the divine Scriptures. It is not the stars overhead that steer us, but the Light of Truth that guides our journey. We steer the helm, not awaiting a gust of wind, but anticipating the gentle breath of the Spirit.

Elizabeth, in her advanced years, bore the final prophet, while Mary, in her youth, gave birth to the Lord of angels. The daughter of Aaron brought forth the voice of one calling in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:31), and the daughter of David brought forth the Word of the Heavenly King. The priest's wife bore the angel of His presence², and David's offspring brought forth the mighty God of the earth. The barren woman bore the One who forgives transgressions, and the virgin brought forth the One who removes iniquities³. Elizabeth gave birth to the One who reconciles humanity through repentance, and Mary to the One who purifies the earth from defilement. The elder Elizabeth illuminated the house of her father Jacob, represented by John; meanwhile, the younger Mary radiated the Sun of righteousness to all nations⁴. An angel announced to Zacharias that John, who would be martyred by Herod, should herald the One who was crucified; the one who faced hatred was to proclaim the One who suffered from envy; and he who baptized with water was to announce the One who baptizes with fire and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). The unclouded lamp proclaimed the Sun of righteousness; the one filled with the Spirit declared the Giver of the Spirit. The priest’s trumpet sounded forth in anticipation of Him who will arrive on the last day with the trumpet's call; the voice that cried out in the wilderness proclaimed the Word, and the witness who saw the dove—upon whom the dove rested, like lightning before thunder.

They also claim that serving God is futile and question the benefit of adhering to His commandments and living in humility before the Lord of Hosts (see Mal. 3:14, 18). In contrast, those who respect God and thoughtfully consider His name have spoken out against such folly among themselves. The Lord took notice of them and listened, writing a record for those who honor His name. He promises that on that day, they will be His treasured possession, spared like a father spares his beloved son who serves him. This is emphasized by the declaration of the coming day, a day of judgment, which will shine brightly for the saints but will be dark for the wicked. This day will blaze fiercely like a furnace, causing the wicked to be reduced to stubble, consumed by its flames. And as it burns and turns to ashes, it will eradicate all traces of their wrongdoing. This is a proclamation about the judgment the wicked will face. However, for those who fear the Lord, the opposite will occur: the Sun of righteousness will arise for you. This signifies that everything will come to light in truth, revealing good and evil, virtue and vice alike. Salvation will manifest in His rays for those healed through repentance, as depicted in Deuteronomy: "As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings" (Deut. 32:11). In that day, those currently imprisoned will be released, rising like calves from the stall. The apostle Paul expresses a similar longing: "For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ" (Phil. 1:23), yearning to escape from the bindings, much like the bullock designated for the Lord's sacrifice. Yet he does not content himself only with this joy; he also will crush the wicked when they are reduced to dust. Hence, a promise is given to the righteous: "The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly." And Abraham, acknowledging his humility before God, declared, "I am but dust and ashes" (Gen. 18:27). Thus, he will witness the Sun of righteousness and find rest among his inheritance, ascending to heavenly realms on His wings. In contrast, the one who in arrogance declared, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High" (Isa. 14:14) will be cast down to the earth, becoming mere dust under the feet of the saints on the day of judgment.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Ps. 117:24). While the Lord crafted all days, some belong to the Jews, heretics, or Gentiles. The Lord's Day, the day of resurrection, is the Christians' day. This is why it is called the Lord's Day: on this day, the Victorious Lord ascended to the Father. If the Gentiles refer to it as the day of the sun, we gladly acknowledge it, for today the Light of the world has risen, the Sun of Truth has emerged, and healing radiates from Him (Mal. 4:2).

So the sun was created, and it serves Him, as stated: Thou hast established the earth, which shall not be moved; by Thy decree the days endure, for to Thee the whole creation serves (LXX; Psalm 119:90-91).

Since Jacob's unwavering faith and devotion were steadfast, the Lord unveiled to him profound mysteries, particularly the touching of his thigh; for from his lineage would arise a virgin-borne Savior, the Lord Jesus, who is fully equal and identical to God. The touch upon the thigh represents His crucifixion, which brought salvation to all, as the forgiveness of sins spread across the earth, and by His body being nailed and slain, He granted the resurrection of the dead. Therefore, the sun shone upon the holy James according to his worthiness, in whose lineage the cross of Christ was revealed, for the Sun of righteousness has risen for him who has beheld God, and He is the everlasting light. However, Jacob was rendered lame in one thigh. To this day, the descendants of Israel refrain from eating the sinew (Gen. 32:32). Ah, if only they had partaken and believed! Yet, they rejected the will of God, and hence did not partake. Some interpret this as follows: Jacob became lame in one thigh because from the two nations descended from him, one, as foretold, would falter in its faith. This is the nation that turned away from belief and became crippled.

The psalmist confirms this when he proclaims, "Earthly kingdoms, sing to God, sing to the Lord, who has ascended to the heaven of heavens, to the ascents" (LXX; Ps. 67:33-34). Moreover, the Scriptures recount, "And the Lord God planted a paradise in Eden in the east, and placed there the man whom he had created" (Gen. 2:8), who was subsequently cast out because of sin. Thus, as we recognize our original homeland and direct our attention toward it, we offer our worship to God.

Furthermore, Moses’ tabernacle was veiled toward the east, while the tribe of Judah, granted precedence, faced this direction as well. In the renowned temple of Solomon, the entrances were oriented to the east. The crucified Lord gazed westward, and it is in this spirit that we worship, setting our gaze upon Him. When He ascended into heaven, He did so toward the east, which encouraged the apostles to revere Him as they witnessed His ascension (Acts 1:11). The Lord Himself illustrated this when He declared, "As the lightning comes from the east and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27). Therefore, as we anticipate His return, we bow toward the east.