2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. – Malachi 4:2
Malachi’s Task
Like many of his predecessors, Malachi had the unenviable task of rebuking and warning God’s chosen people. Jeremiah had recorded the deep sorrow of the Jewish people when they were taken captive and removed from their homeland. Daniel could not conceal his excitement when he realized the impending return of his people after years of captivity. The Prophets Ezra and Nehemiah record the return of many Jews from Babylon captivity back to Jerusalem. One would hope that years of exile would “reform” God’s people, but such was not the case. As Nehemiah concludes his writing he gives us a list of final reforms he had to make because the Priests and people were not living in accordance with God’s commands (Nehemiah 13). I am not sure how long Nehemiah’s reforms had any impact, but thirty years later Malachi shows us Israel’s propensity for wandering from God.
Despising God’s Name
Despite God’s love for Israel (Malachi 1:2), the love has not been reciprocated. Rather than the fear and honor He deserves as Father and Master, God charges the Priests with despising His name. Specifically, Malachi rebukes the Priests for offering polluted sacrifices on the altar (1:6-2:9). The Priests were offering animals that God had specifically forbidden. Instead of exalting God’s name, the Priests were guilty of profaning it by polluting the Lord’s table (1:12). To the Priests, serving in the Temple has become a burden they don’t want to bear. The sacrifices they offer are a reflection of the condition of their hearts.
Unfaithful
As Father and Master, God charged the Priests with despising His name. As Father and Creator, He charges the people with being unfaithful (2:10-16). By putting aside their Jewish wives and marrying foreign women, the people have been unfaithful to their covenant. God had specifically forbidden intermarrying with foreigners warning them of the dangers of mixing with them and being tempted to worship their gods. Sadly, Malachi is now rebuking them for breaking their commitments.
Where is God?
Malachi further condemns the people for wearying God with their words. They are guilty of attributing good to those who do evil. Although they commit their sins in the presence of God, they doubt His presence asking,“Where is the God of justice” (2:17)? Malachi warns that a messenger is coming to prepare the way of the Lord. When the Lord draws near for judgment (3:5), who will be able to doubt His presence?
Robbing God
What is the worth of a God who is not present? If God is not our Father, Master, and Creator why would we offer Him our best? Such is the charge of Malachi. The Prophet of God continues his rebuke by charging the people with turning aside from God’s statutes and failing to keep them (3:7). In addition, he says they are also guilty of robbing God (3:8). Like the Priests who were sacrificing “second-hand” animals, the people were not showing respect to God with the tithes and offerings He commanded and deserved. Instead of giving back to God with gratitude for His blessings, they are stingy. God challenges the people to give saying that His storehouses are full of blessings (3:10), but their greed is not the key to open them. So the blessings are withheld. Instead of recognizing their guilt, the people complain that it is vain to serve God (3:14).
Denial
With each charge brought against them, God’s people deny the charges or imply ignorance. ‘How have we despised your name?’ (1:6), ‘How have we polluted you?’ (1:7),“How have we wearied him?” (2:17), “Where is the God of justice?” (2:17), ‘How shall we return?’ (3:7), Will man rob God?…‘How have we robbed you?’ (3:8), ‘How have we spoken against you?’ (3:14). This list condemns not only God’s chosen people but all of mankind. God showers men with His love, but too often we fail Him. The most telling question His people asked was the first Malachi recorded:
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” – (1:2)
Healing Needed
Malachi, as he concludes the Old Testament writings, exposes a sad truth. Throughout history, God has revealed His grace to His people. He has chosen them. He has multiplied them. He has given them a land. He has given them Prophets. He has given them leaders. He has given them His Word. And He has accompanied them. Sadly, over and over again the people have “failed” Him. Malachi’s rebukes are not an exception, they are an exclamation; reformation doesn’t work. Transformation is necessary. We cannot save ourselves, we need a Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings. Who would know that it would be more than four hundred years after Malachi penned his inspired Words that the Sun of righteousness would rise?
Sun of Righteousness
Malachi, like so many of the Prophets before him, paints a dark picture. With each dip of his brush, he brings up black paint to cover the canvas. While it is not pretty to look at, it is an exact representation of the heart of man. Desperately wicked and totally depraved. Like the Israelites, we deny the portrait the Bible paints of us. “Use white paint”, we scream. Men are inherently good not evil. But as Malachi reminds us, history fleshes out the Truth. Apart from God, we are helpless. Apart from God, we are hopeless. But after holding up the black portrait, Malachi gives us hope. Look to the horizon, the Sun is going to rise, and He will bring light to darkness. His righteousness will transform the canvas. He has healing in His wings.
Healing
Who doesn’t need healing? We are surrounded by so much pain and sorrow. Cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, etc. are more than prevalent, they are epidemic. We are all affected by them directly or indirectly. In addition to these, we have mental health issues, addictions, and handicaps of various natures impacting our lives. We hear of healing and we think of a cure or remedy for these calamities, but our hope is much greater. As real and as troubling as these things are, they do not represent our greatest need. Rather they are symptoms of the one disease that plagues every man. Sin. When Malachi writes that the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in His wings, he is obviously talking about spiritual healing. A healing to remedy the symptoms he has diagnosed previously.
In His Wings
We measure time based on the birth of Christ. His birth divides history in half (B.C. & A.D.) The followers of Christ have completely transformed the world acting as salt and light and sharing His love. The wings of Christ have not only changed the course of history, they expand over all of eternity. Nothing escapes their shadow. Nothing escapes their reach. For those who “fear His name”, they represent healing.
When Jesus walked the earth, He raised the dead, healed the lame and gave sight to the blind. One day as He was passing through the crowd he felt His power go out from Him. Questioning the crowd, a lady came trembling at His feet. She had an infirmity for twelve years and had spent all of her money on doctors. To no avail. Now she was not only suffering from her infirmity, but she was financially broke. Like all of us, she was completely desperate. She desired to be healed but her money and her fellow man were unable to bring her a cure. She was without help or hope; until she touched the fringe of Jesus’ robe.
I Have Loved You
When she touched his robe, the suffering lady was immediately healed. Not only of her physical infirmity, but more importantly of her spiritual. Jesus commends her for her faith and tells her to go in peace. She has been made whole. So it is with His children. When we put our faith in the Sun of righteousness, He heals us with His righteousness. The black canvas is covered by his crimson blood and is now made as white as snow. Christ has come with healing in His wings. A healing that saves us from sin and its consequences. When Jesus carries us over the river of death there will be no more symptoms of sin. Cancer, dementia, and diabetes will have to stay on the other shore along with all of the addictions and diseases. There will be no sin in heaven. There will be no denial either. The reach of sin cannot compare with the reach of Christ’s healing wings. The wings that will wipe away our tears once and for all.
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.
May we never question how!