Malachi 4

Malachi 4:1

BƲrn as an oven] He prophecieth of Gods judgements against the wicked, who would not receive Christ, when as God should send him for the restauration of his Church: whereof he had spoken, Chap. 3. 2, 3. and which fell out in the last destruction of Jerusalem. Others expound it of the miseries, which the Jews suffered after the dayes of Malachi under the Grecian Kings of Syria and Egypt, untill the coming of Christ.

neither root nor branch] Proverbiall termes: as Job 18:16. & Job 29:19. Isaiah 5:24. Amos 2:9.

Malachi 4:2

sunne of righteousnesse] Luke 1:78.

arise with healing in his wings] By faith ye shall know and enjoy Christ, who shall be a devouring fire to the wicked, but to his elect a Sunne yeelding a quickening and comfortable heat, Ephesians 5:14. by vertue of his perfect righteousnesse, by which he will reconcile them to God his Father, and obtain his Spirit for them; which shall regenerate, sanctifie, and save them perfectly. See Isaiah 60:1. 2. 19.

ye shall go forth] A description of the libertie of the Spirit in the elect, in joy, vigour, and readinesse of spirituall motions. See 2 Corinthians 3:17.

grow up] Or, encrease. See Jeremiah 50:11.

Malachi 4:3

ye shall tread down the wicked] A representation of the Churches victories over her spirituall enemies, which is very frequent in the Prophets.

Malachi 4:4

Remember ye] Because the time was come that the Jews should be destitute of Prophets untill the time of Christ, that they might more fervently desire his coming; the Prophet exhorteth them to exercise themselves diligently in studying the Law of Mose in the mean season, whereby they might continue in the true religion; and also be armed against all temptations.

the law of Moses] Exodus 20:3.

in Horeb for all Israel] Deuteronomy 4:10.

Malachi 4:5

Elijah the prophet] Matthew 17:12. Mark 9:11. This Christ expoundeth of John the Baptist, Matth. 11. 13, 14. who shall come in the spirit and power of Eliah, Luke 1:17. and is aptly compared to him both for his zeale and restoring religion.

the great and dreadfull day] That magnificent appearing of the Sonne of God in the flesh, accompanied with the consuming power, set down, Chap. 3. 2. and 4. 1. especially in regard of the Jews, who shall be destroyed by him for their rebellion and ingratitude.

Malachi 4:6

he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children] His preaching shall be to bring back the children of Israel that are gone astray, to the true faith and piety of their forefathers: whereby Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who (as one may say) did not acknowledge them, Isa. 29. 22, 23. shall reaccept them for their lawfull posteritie: which thing fayling, I will finally and totally destroy the whole nation.