Malachi 4

A prophecie of the destruction of the wicked, verse 1. but the godly are comforted with the appartition of the Sun of righteousnesse. Therefore the LORD exhorteth all people to true repentance and conversion, and to the observing of the Law given them by Moseh, 4. He speaks again of the sending of John the Baptist, and of the efficacie of his preaching, 5.

1. For behold, that day cometh burning as a furnace: [to wit, the day of the judgement of the Lord; to be understood, either of the first apparition of Jesus Christ in the flesh or the second, when he shall come to judgement at the last day. Some understand it thus, that this day began with the first day of chridts incarnation, and is to last until he shall appear in the clouds to the last judgement] then shall all high minded (ones) and every one that doth wickedness, be stubble and te day to come shall set them in flame, saith the LORD of hosts, which shall leave them neither root nor branch: [i.e he shall so destroy and consume them, that they shall never recover or rife up again.]

2. To you, on the countrary, that fear my name, shall the sun of righteousness arise, [thus our savior Jesus Christ is called, because he enlightens our understandings by his word and spirit, and chearest the hearts of the faithful with forgiveness of sins and impautation of righteousness. Compare Isaiah 60:1, 19. and Daniel 9:24. Luke 1:78, 79] and there shall be healing [viz. for the afflicted mindes, who are sensible of and grieved for their sins] under his wings: [his, viz. that sons of righteousness, which is Jesus Christ] and ye shall go forth, [to wit, into a fat and goodly pasture. Other understand this of going forth out of the captivity of sin, and the bondage of Satan, for to serve God in holiness and righteousness. See job 8.36 and 2 Cor. 3.17] and encrease [in temporal and spiritual welfare, through the blessing of the LORD] like fatning calves.

3. And ye shall tread down the wicked; [i.e. subdue them, namely in Christ Jesus your head, who hath overcome the world, Job 16.33. and daily ye subdueth and overleth the enemies of his church, until at last he make them altogether his foot stool. See 1 Cor. 15,57. and 1 Job 5:4.] for they shall become ashes [as things of no worth at all, most vile and contemptible. Compare Isaiah 66:24. Daniel 12:2.] under the soles of your feet in that day which I shall make, [see above chapter 3. on verse 17.] saith the LORD of hosts.

4. Remember the Law of Moseh, my servant, which I commanded him on Horch, [see Deuteronomy 4:10.] unto all Israel, [i.e. to the whole people of Israel] the institutions and rights: [or, statutes and judgements. The time being at hand, that the people of God should be many years without prophets, to preach unto, and to teach them, for Maleachi was the last of the prophets in the Old Testament; therefore the prophet doth exhort them, that during that time, they should diligently practice the reading and studying of the Law given them by Moseh, thereby to arm themselves against all assaults and temptations, and to strengthen their faith.]

5. Behold I send unto you the prophet Elia, [i.e John The Baptist, who was to appear in the Baptist, who was to appear in the spirit and power of elia, as Christ declared it. Matthew 11:14 and 11.14 and 17.11, 12, 13. mark 9.11 and Angel, Luke 1:17] before that great and dreadful day of the LORD shall come. [that day namely, wherein the LORD shall appear in the flesh, which shall be dreadful to the wicked, but stir up the godly seriously to repent of their sins and to amend their lives. Compare Joel 2:31.]

6. And he shall bring [or, turn covert] the heart of the fathers unto the children, and the heart of the children, unto their fathers: [meaning is; his preaching shall be of that power and efficacie in the hearts in the hearts of the elect, through the operation of the Holy Ghost, that both father and children, shall covert themselves to the LORD and serve him all with one accord] left I come and smite the earth [i.e. the inhabitants of the earth] with the banne. [i.e. left I do utterly destroy the world, because of their unbelief and contempt of Jesus Christ, together with their hard-heartedness and impenitencie. See Zach. 14 on verse 11 as also Deuteronomy 18:15, 18. Acts 3:22, 23 and 1 Cor. 16.22. of such there have been many in the world at all times, as now also there are but too many: so that according to the rigour of justice, God might have cause to punish the world most severely, but he spareth them yet, for the small companies sake of the godly, which are in the world. See Gen. 18. verse 23.24, &c]