Malachi 4

Chap. IV. Ver. 1—14.—God’s judgments on the wicked. Predictions of Messiah and his forerunner.—Those judgments which are in the preceding chapter compared to a refiner’s fire, in their operation upon true Israelites, are here compared to a consuming oven, in their effects on hypocrites and unbelievers. The incarnation of Messiah is then promised under the beautiful image of the rising sun—“the Sun of righteousness”—when he arises “with healing under his wings,” dissipating the shades and damps of night, and spreading light and joy and health around. But the late Mr. Robinson of Cambridge, has thrown a farther beauty on the metaphor from the following circumstance: Every morning, he was told, about sun-rise, in the Levant (particularly at Smyrna) a fresh gale of wind blows from the sea across the land, which, from its utility in clearing the infected air is called the Doctor.

“Now (says Mr. R.) it strikes me that the Prophet Malachi, who lived in that quarter of the world, might allude to this circumstance, when he says, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings.” (Oriental Customs, No. The chapter, and indeed the Old Testament, closes with a END OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, OF THE | ‘The intention of the present Table, is to show at one view which of the Patriarchs were contemporary with each other; and, consequently, how easy it was to hand down from Adam to Isaac, (a period of 2158 years,) the particulars of the Creation and Fall of Man. Adam created Seth born B/E 18 Jared born Enoch born pe a EE SORE 8s Methuselah born Lamech born | Jacob 1689; oe tls y a j 4 ES s a a|‘E FIs a eoW = ee diy | er (ee ~ a ol ak > CSA eles in ee (o-] oi a oO = it) a O1/Q}; o0}] 29} o 2 P|) ROL RS | | | |e ee 395 |3609)/395 460 |3544)460 622 |3382//622 i ar sikweacstp, i ’ ‘ < +: x ut Bit; ‘: >;: er re eens te Fakhorenibes sae =;; 7 ¥ i Bis 2 s Bs.) — 3.

• ~.-= ee te >; = ares ay 3 liege et 4 y aa i - as { |; b Bj HES See TO WHICH ARE ADDED, OF THE POLYGLOTT BIBLE, who rejects Moses and the Prophets. Indeed our Saviour himself places this in the strongest point of view, when he says, ‘If men hear not Moses and the xvi. SL. cere neither will they be persuaded, though one rise from the dead.” (Luke 2. The New Testament corresponds with the Old, as it contains the fulfilment of many of its prophecies; those particularly which relate to the Messiah. To him “gave all the Prophets witness.” From the first promise, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, we have a long series of predictions, pointing to the character and works, the life and death, resurrection and future triumphs of the Messiah, the fulfilment of which is distinctly pointed out in various parts of the New Testament, and particularly in the Gospels.

Some passages of the Old Testament may be cited only by way of accommodation, or illustration; but others, quoted by way of argument, have stood the test of the most rigorous examination. Typical institutions are a species of prophecy, by means of emblems and figurative action, which, though not so well understood in our western world, were in the East equally intelligible and satisfactory with the clearest verbal prophecies. Travellers into these countries are surprised to find the frequency of figurative action, and the ease with which it is understood. Among the Old Testament types, the sacrifices are the most interesting and important. The scapegoat, the paschal lamb, and the whole burnt-offering,

all, though in different points of view, direct us to the one offering of Messiah. But the New Testament, while it clears away the obscurity of former prophecies, presents us with a new series, extending no less distance into futurity than those of Abraham and Jacob, and terminating only with the church and the world. Our Lord himself foretold the past cities and present dispersion of the Jews. St. Paul has drawn the character of the Man of Sin; and marked his progress and final overthrow; but St. John, in his Revelations, presents us with the most extensive prophecies ever exhibited. They are indeed enveloped in the same obscurity as those of former ages; but Time has already partially withdrawn the veil, and, as he passes on, will still roll back the remaining clouds.

8. Another point of view in which these dispensations may be compared, regards their peculiar temper and spirit. That of the Old Testament was partial and severe. It was confined to the children of circumcision; yea, with some exceptions, to a single nation, and that one of the smallest, and which, as their own Scriptures assure us, had as little to boast in respect of merit as of numbers. ((Deuteronomy 7:7-8). (Daniel 9:8, 16).) But the gospel has in it nothing peculiar to any nation, or country. We have the clearest proofs in matter of fact, that it suits equally with the climates of England, of India, and of Labrador. It is calculated, therefore, for universal use, and its universal spread is promised.

If we advert also to the miracles with which each dispensation was introduced, we find those of Moses were miracles of judgment, inflicting punishment upon sinners (not, indeed, undeserved,) but of a very different character from those by which our Redeemer introduced the gospel: these were, almost without exception, miracles of mercy. 4. Another point of view in which we may advantageously compare the Old and New Testaments, relates to the gradual development of divine truth, which is like that of light, “shining more and more unto the perfect day.” The gospel dispensation dawned on Adam, and gradually opened during the Patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations: the Sun of righteousness arose under the clearer revelations of David and Solomon; but attained not its zenith until the day of Pentecost, when the shadows of the Old Testament types were all withdrawn, and the whole scheme of redemption by Jesus Christ exhibited.

“+ The Greek term euangelion (gospel) signifies “good news” in general; in the New Testament, it is confined to the “good news of salvation by Jesus Christ.” The word gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon god, good, and spell, message, or news. Most bigotted fanaticism, and the simplicity of the most heroic virtues did honour to the vilest people upon earth. The death of Socrates, discoursing with his friends, appears the most agreeable that could be wished for; that of Jesus, expiring in the midst of agonizing pains; abused, insulted, and accused by a whole nation; is the most horrible that could be feared. Socrates, on receiving the cup of poison, blessed indeed the weeping executioner who administered it; but Jesus, in the midst of excruciating tortures, prayed for his merciless tormentors.

Yes, if the life and death of Socrates were those of a sage, the life and death of Jesus are those of a God. Shall we suppose the Evangelical History a mere fiction? Indeed, my friend, it bears not the marks of fiction; on the contrary, the history of Socrates, which nobody presumes to doubt, is not so well attested as that of Jesus Christ. Such a supposition, in fact, only shifts the difficulty, without obviating it: it is more inconceivable that a number of persons should agree to write such a history, than that one only should furnish the subject of it. The Jewish authors were incapable of the diction, and strangers to the morality contained in the gospel, the marks of whose truth are so striking and inimitable, that the inventor would be a

more astonishing character than the hero.” (Letter to the Archbishop of Paris.) How lamentable is it to add, that a man who saw thus early the beauty of the gospel, was prevented, by the depravity of his own heart, from embracing it. He at once admired and hated it. The Authenticity of the four Gospels. III. Of the authority of the four Gospels already named, we shall quote only the concluding remarks of Dr. Lardner. “In the first part of this work (his ‘Credibility’) it was shown,” says the Doctor, “that there is not anything in the books of the New Testament, however strictly canvassed, inconsistent with their supposed time and authors…… In this second part we have had express and positive evidence, that these books were written by those whose names they bear, even the Apostles of Jesus Christ, who was crucified at Jerusalem in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor in Judea; and their well known companions and fellow-labourers.

It is the concurring testimony of early and later ages, and of writers in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and of men of different sentiments in divers respects. For we have had before us the testimony of those called heretics,…. as well as Catholics. These books were received from the beginning with the greatest respect, and have been publicly and solemnly read in the assemblies of + A judicious writer has remarked, that few Deists have ventured to attack the moral character of Christ. Even Thomas Paine, in the midst of his virulence against Christianity, observes, “Nothing that is here said can apply, even with the most distant disrespect, to the real character of Jesus Christ. He was a virtuous and amiable man.

The morality that he preached and practised was of the most benevolent kind.” Nothing, however, is too daring for some writers. A French infidel of the name of Volney undertook to prove, in spite of all history, sacred and profane, that Christ (or Chrestus, as he calls him) was an allegorical personage—the Sun. In answer to which ridiculous notion, we need only refer to Grotius’ work “On the Truth of the Christian Religion.” Grotius says, “That Jesus of Nazareth formerly lived in Judea, in the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor, is constantly acknowledged, not only by Christians dispersed all over the world, but also by all the Jews which now are, or have ever wrote since that time; the same is also testified by heathens, that is, such as did not write either on the Jewish or Christian religion; Suetonius, Tacitus, Pliny the younger, and many after these.” Appeal may also be made, not only to the received, but the apocryphal gospels; not only to Josephus, but to Trypho and Celsus, the great Jewish and Pagan antagonists of Christianity.

In short, there is no great character of equal antiquity—neither Julius nor Augustus Caesar; neither Cato nor Cicero; neither Virgil nor Horace—whose existence and character is better attested. Christ calls Matthew, and eats with him. (Matthew 9:9-17). Mark 2. 13—22. (Luke 5:17-39). 4. Christ asserts his godhead. (John 5:7, 25). The disciples pluck ears of corn. (Matthew 12:1-8). (Mark 2:23-28). (Luke 6:26). Christ heals many. (Matthew 12:9-16). (Mark 3:1-12). (Luke 6:6-11). 27. Christ chooses and ordains his apostles. (Mark 3:13-21). (Luke 6:12-19). 28. Christ’s sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:1-12). (Luke 6:20-36). 29. (Matthew 6:30). (Matthew 7:1-30). (Luke 6:37-49). 31. The centurion’s servant healed.

(Matthew 8:1-13). (Luke 7:1-10). 32. A widow’s son raised. (Luke 7:11-17). 33. John’s message to Christ, (Matthew 11:2-19). (Luke 7:18-35). 34. Chorazin and Bethsaida upbraided. (Matthew 11:20). 35. A woman anoints Christ. (Luke 7:36). and viii. 1—3. 36. OF blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 12:22-46), (Mark 3:22-30). (Luke 11:14-26, 29-32). 37. Christ’s mother and brethren seek him. (Matthew 12:46-50). (Mark 3:31-35). (Luke 8:19-21). 38. The parable of the sower, &c. (Matthew 13:1-33). (Mark 4:1-34). (Luke 13:4-18). and xiii. 18—21. 39. A scribe will follow Christ. (Mark 9:35). (Matthew 8:18-22). 40. Sleepy in a storm. (Matthew 8:23-27). (Mark 4:36-41). (Luke 8:41). Christ heals the possessed.

(Matthew 8:23-34). (Mark 5:1-20). (Luke 8:42). Jairus’s daughter raised. (Matthew 9:1-26). (Mark 5:21-31). and 32—43. (Luke 8:40-48), and 49—56. 43. Two blind men cured. (Matthew 9:27-34). 44. Christ teaches at Nazareth. (Matthew 13:54-58). (Mark 6:1-6). 45. Christ journeys again to Galilee. (Matthew 9:35). 46. The apostles sent out. (Matthew 10)and xi. 1. Mark vi. 7—13. (Luke 9:1-6). 47. John beheaded. (Matthew 14:6-12). (Mark 6:21-29). 48. Herod’s opinion of Christ. (Matthew 14:1-2). (Mark 6:14-16). (Luke 9:7-9). vi. 1—13. 49. He was fed. (Matthew 19:13-21). (Mark 6:30-44). (Luke 9:10-17). John 50. Christ walks on the sea. (Matthew 14:22-36). (Mark 6:45-56). (John 6:14-21). 51. Christ’s flesh must be eaten.

(John 6)and viii. 1. 52. Impious traditions. (Matthew 15:1-20). (Mark 7:1-23, 53). The woman of Canaan’s daughter healed. (Matthew 15:21-28). (Mark 7:24-30). 54. A dumb man healed. (Matthew 15:29-31). (Mark 8:31), &c. 55. Four thousand fed. (Matthew 15:32-39). (Mark 8:1-10). 56. The leaven of the Pharisees. (Matthew 16:1-12). (Mark 8:11-21). 57. A blind man healed. (Mark 8:22-26). 58. Peter’s confession of Christ. (Matthew 16:13-28). (Mark 8:27-38). and ix. 1. Luke ix. 18—27. 59. Christ’s transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-13). (Mark 9:2-13). (Luke 9:22-36). 60. He enrols a lunatic child. (Matthew 17:14-23). (Mark 9:14-32). (Luke 9:61). Humility pressed. (Matthew 18:1-9). (Mark 9:33-50). (Luke 9:46-50).

62. The feast of tabernacles. (John 7:2-9). 63. Christ goes to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51). (John 7:10). 64. The seventy sent forth. (Luke 10:1-6). 65. Christ at the feast of tabernacles. (John 7:11), &c. 66. An adulteress, &c. (John 8:67). A blind man healed. (John 9:68). Christ the good Shepherd. (John 10:1-21). 69. The seventy return. (Luke 10:17). 70. The efficacy of prayer. (Luke 11:1-13). 27, 28, 33, &c. 71. Against hypocrisy, carnal fear, covetousness, &c. (Luke 12:72). An exhortation to repentance. (Luke 13:1-17). 73. The feast of dedication. (Luke 13:22). (John 10:22). 74. The strait gate. (Luke 13:23). 75. A dropsical man healed; the wedding feast. (Luke 14:4-6). The lost sheep, goat, and son.

(Luke 15:7). The unjust steward and rich glutton. (Luke 16:7-8). Scandal to be shunned, &c. (Luke 17:7, 9). The unjust judge and proud Pharisee. (Luke 18:1-14). 80. Concerning divorce. (Matthew 19:1-12). (Mark 10:1-12). 81. Little children brought to Christ, &c. (Matthew 19:13-30). (Mark 10:13-31). (Luke 18:15-30). (Matthew 20:1-16). 82. Lazarus sick. (Luke 11:1-16). 83. Sees his passion. (Matthew 20:17-19). (Mark 10:32-34). (Luke 18:84). The request of the sons of Zebedee. (Matthew 20:20-28). (Mark 10:35-45). 85. A blind man healed; Zaccheus converted; the parable of the pounds. (Matthew 20:29). (Mark 10:46). (Luke 18:35-43). and xix. 1—27. 86. Lazarus raised. (John 11:17). 87. Mary anoints Christ. (Matthew 26:6-13).

(Mark 14:3-9). (John 12:1-11). (John 19:38-42). 88. Christ’s resurrection. (Matthew 28:1-8). (Mark 16:1-9). (Luke 24:1-19). (John 20:1-10). Christ’s appearing first to Mary Magdalene, then to others. (Matthew 28:9-15). (Mark 16:10-11). and 13, 14. (Luke 24:13-48). (John 20:11-20). Another appearance of Christ, and his discourse with Peter. (John 21)Christ commissions his disciples, and afterwards ascends into heaven. (Matthew 28:16-20). (Mark 16:15-20). (Luke 24:49-53). The Parables of Jesus, arranged in Chronological Order. Parable of the Places. “Sower,……. Capernaum. (Matthew 13:1-23). 3. Seed springing up imperceptibly,..

Capernaum. (Mark 4:26-29). Grain of mustard seed,……. Capernaum. (Matthew 13:31-32). Leaven,….. Capernaum. (Matthew 13:33). Found treasure,…. Capernaum. (Matthew 13:44). Precious pearl,…….. Capernaum. (Matthew 13:45-46). Two debtors,.. Capernaum. (Luke 7:36-50). Unmerciful servant,………. Capernaum. (Matthew 18:23-35). Samaritan,…… Near Jericho. (Luke 10:25-37). Rich fool,……. Galilee. (Luke 12:16-21). Servants who waited for their Lord,….. Galilee. (Luke 12:35-48). Barren fig tree,….. Galilee. (Luke 13:6-9). Lost sheep,.. Galilee. (Luke 15:3-7). Lost piece of money,…… Galilee. (Luke 15:8-10). Prodigal son,….. Galilee. (Luke 15:11-32). Dishonest steward,. Galilee. (Luke 16:1-12). Rich man and Lazarus,……….. Galilee. (Luke 16:19-31). Unjust judge,……. Perea. (Luke 18:1-8). Pharisee and publican,……. Perea. (Luke 18:9-14). Labourers in the vineyard,……. Perea. (Matthew 20:1)—I6. Parable. (Luke 19:12-27). Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:28-32). Vineyard,….. Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:33-46). Warning,….. Jerusalem. (Matthew 22:1-14). Ten Virgins. Jerusalem.

(Matthew 25:1-13). Talents,…. Jerusalem. (Matthew 25:14-30). Sheep and the goats,…………. Jerusalem. (Matthew 25:31-46). The Miracles of Christ, arranged in Chronological Order. JESUS Places: Turns water into wine,………. Cana. (John 2:1-11). Cures the nobleman’s son of Capernaum,. Cana. (John 4:46-54). Causes a miraculous draught of fishes,…. Sea of Galilee. (Luke 5:1-11). Cures a demoniac,….. Capernaum. (Mark 1:22-28). Peter’s wife’s mother of a fever,… Capernaum. (Mark 1:30-31). Heals. Capernaum. (Mark 1:40-45). Heals the centurion’s servant,….. Capernaum. (Matthew 8:5-13). Raises the widow’s son,…….. Nain. (Luke 7:11-17). Calms the tempest,………… Sea of Galilee. (Matthew 8:23-27). Cures the demoniacs of Gadara,……. Gadara. (Matthew 8:28-34). Cures a man of the palsy,………. Capernaum. (Matthew 9:1-8). Restores to life the daughter of Jairus,… Capernaum. (Matthew 9:18-26). Cures a woman diseased with a flux of blood, Capernaum. (Luke 8:43-48). Restores to sight two blind men,…… Capernaum. (Matthew 9:27-31). Heals one possessed with a dumb spirit,.. Capernaum. (Matthew 9:32-33). Cures an infirm man at Bethesda,…… Jerusalem. (John 5:1-9). Cures a man with a withered hand,….. Judea. (Matthew 12:10-13). Cures a demoniac,…….. Capernaum. (Matthew 12:22-23). Feeds miraculously five thousand,……

Decapolis. (Matthew 14:15-21). Heals the woman of Canaan’s daughter,.. Near Tyre. (Matthew 15:22-25). Heals a man who was dumb and deaf,… Decapolis. (Mark 7:31-37). Feeds miraculously four thousand,….. Decapolis. (Matthew 15:32-39). Gives sight to a blind man,………. Bethsaida. (Mark 8:22-26). Cures a boy possessed of a devil,…… Tabor. (Matthew 17:14-21). Restores to sight a man born blind,….. Jerusalem. (John 9)Heals a woman under an infirmity eighteen years, Galilee. (Luke 13:11-17). Cures a dropsy,…….. Galilee. (Luke 14:1). Cleanses ten lepers,……… Samaria. (Luke 17:14-19). Raises Lazarus from the dead,……..

Bethany. (John 11)Restores to sight two blind men,…. Jericho. (Matthew 20:50-34). Blasts the fig tree,…….. Olivet. (Matthew 21:18-22). Heals the ear of Malchus,……… Gethsemane. (Luke 22:50-51). Sea of Galilee. (John 21)Causes the miraculous draught of fishes,.

Notes on the verses

Chap. IV Ver. 1. All that do wickedly—That is, all the impenitent and unbelieving. (Revelation 21:8). a: Ver. 2. Grow up—That is, thrive like stalled calves. b: Ver. 5. Elijah the prophet—That is, a prophet in the spirit and power of Elijah. See exposition. So Messiah himself was often promised under the name of David. i Ver. 6. The heart of the fathers to the children, &c.—That is, to reconcile the people to each other. So the author of Ecclesiasticus seems to have understood it, Ecclus. xlviii. 10, 11. But Newcome and Chandler render it, “The heart of the fathers with the children, and the heart of the children with the fathers,” which denotes that family discipline is the foundation of all government.

This passage looks very hard on the general complexion of society, as though by a master-stroke of the prophetic pencil, he wished to predict where the greatest demoralization of a nation consists—the dissolution of the family compact. It also points out the only way in which the tone of society may be restored. The right government of the family effectually embraces the whole body of a nation. See Anderson on the Domestic Constitution, also (Luke 1:17).—Smite the earth.— Newcome. “The plants.” So Chandler, &c. TESTAMENTS, AND A VALUABLE CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX, THE WHOLE CAREFULLY REVISED, EMBELLISHED WITH MAPS AND ENGRAVINGS. EDITED BY REV. WILLIAM PATTON