The Sun of Righteousness
"With healing in its wings"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
This is a plain-language guide, not a translation. Check it against the Bible text any time.
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
Through Malachi, God promised, "I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me," and then the Lord himself would come to his temple, like a refiner's fire, to make his people pure. For the proud, that day would burn like a furnace, but for those who fear God's name, "the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings." God promised to send Elijah to turn the hearts of parents and children toward each other. Jesus said John the Baptist was that messenger.
Where it is in the Bible: Malachi 3 and 4
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. My Messenger | 3:1 | God will send someone to prepare the way |
| 2. A Refiner's Fire | 3:2-4 | The Lord will purify his people |
| 3. Healing in Its Wings | 4:1-3 | A day of burning, and a day of sunrise |
| 4. Elijah Is Coming | 4:4-6 | Hearts turned toward each other |
Before You Read
Who he was. Malachi, whose name means "my messenger." He spoke to God's people around 450 BC, after they had come home from exile and rebuilt the temple (1:1).
What was happening. The people were tired and doubtful. Worship had become careless. Priests were cutting corners. People asked, "Where is the God of justice?" (2:17).
What this passage is. God's answer. A messenger is coming to prepare the way, and then the Lord himself. Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, and these are its final words.
How to read it. Watch for the "day" that is coming. For some it will burn. For others, the sun will rise with healing.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4My Messenger
"Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me" (3:1).
"Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple" (3:1).
The people asked where God was. God says: I'm coming.
Section 2 of 4A Refiner's Fire
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?" (3:2).
"For He will be like a refiner's fire, like a launderer's soap" (3:2).
A refiner heats silver until the impurities burn away. A launderer scrubs clothes clean.
God won't destroy his people. He will make them pure, so their worship pleases him again.
Section 3 of 4Healing in Its Wings
"For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace" (4:1).
For the proud and evil, that day will be like fire burning straw.
"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings" (4:2).
Its "wings" are its rays of light, spreading out like a bird's wings.
"And you will go out and leap like calves from the stall" (4:2).
Picture young calves let out of the barn in spring, jumping for joy.
Section 4 of 4Elijah Is Coming
Remember the law God gave through Moses.
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD" (4:5).
"And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" (4:6).
These are the last words of the Old Testament. Then there was silence for about 400 years.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "I will send My messenger" (3:1) | Someone will come first to get people ready. |
| "Suddenly come to His temple" (3:1) | God himself will come to his people. |
| "Like a refiner's fire" (3:2) | God makes us pure, burning away what's wrong. |
| "The sun of righteousness will rise" (4:2) | God's saving light is coming. |
| "With healing in its wings" (4:2) | It brings healing and new life. |
| "Elijah the prophet" (4:5) | A prophet like Elijah will prepare the way. |
| "Turn the hearts of the fathers to their children" (4:6) | Broken families will be restored. |
Back Then
Refining silver meant melting it in a hot fire and skimming off the dross, the impurities that floated to the top.
Elijah never died. He was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). So people expected him to return.
In the Christian Old Testament, Malachi comes last, right before Matthew. The Hebrew Bible orders the books differently.
Literal Reader Alert
Was John the Baptist really Elijah? Not Elijah come back to life. Jesus meant John came "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17), fulfilling Malachi's promise.
Is the sun of righteousness Jesus? Christians have long heard it that way. Charles Wesley's Christmas hymn "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" says: "Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings."
Should we be afraid of the Day of the Lord? It is serious. But for those who fear God's name, it's a sunrise.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The people | Doubtful | They wondered where God was |
| The proud | Afraid | Who can endure his coming? (3:2) |
| Those who fear God | Joyful | They leap like calves (4:2) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you need from Malachi? Tap one.
I wonder where God is
The Lord you seek will suddenly come.
I feel like I'm in the fire
God refines, he doesn't destroy.
I need healing
The sun of righteousness rises with healing in its wings.
My family is broken
God promises to turn hearts toward each other.
You Might Have Heard
"God went silent and isn't coming back."
What's true: After Malachi, no prophet spoke for about 400 years.
What the passage is mainly about: The silence ended with a promise. "Behold, I will send My messenger" (3:1). John the Baptist came, and then Jesus.
Where Jesus is: He is the Lord who came to his temple, the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings.
Good News
The sun is rising.
"But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings" (4:2).
God sent his messenger, and then he came himself, in Jesus, to heal and to make us clean.
God promised to send his messenger and then come himself. He refines his people like silver, and for those who fear him, the sun of righteousness rises with healing in its wings.
Big Idea
God promised to send his messenger to prepare the way, and then to come himself. He refines his people like silver, and the sun of righteousness rises with healing in its wings.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther saw John the Baptist as a model preacher. Like a finger pointing, John directed people away from himself to Jesus: "Behold the Lamb of God."
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Malachi 3:1-4 on the Second Sunday of Advent in Year C and on the Presentation of Our Lord. Malachi 4:1-2a is read in November in Year C (Lectionary 33).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings
How did that feel?
You finished The Sun of Righteousness.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Second Sunday of Advent Year CFirst reading, Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-4
- Lectionary 33 Year CFirst reading, Malachi 4:1-2a
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Sun of Righteousness, explained in plain words. The last words of the Old Testament: a messenger is coming, and then the Lord himself. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-sun-of-righteousness/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church