THE HEALING WINGS -- Tomorrow:
" But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." (Mal 4:2)
Malachi was given the difficult task of showing Israel the heinousness of their sin. They had refused to give God the honor due Him, and the priests had despised His name (1:6). Polluted bread was being offered upon the altar, and blind, lame, and sick animals offered to Him in sacrifice (1:7-8). They had profaned the name of the Lord, defiled the table of the Lord, and declared it was a wearisome burden to serve the Lord (1:12-13). They had even robbed God in both tithes and offerings (3:8). Now, the Lord affirms He will visit their iniquities upon them, judging them for their corruption. He told the priests He would make them contemptible and base before all of the people (2:9).
But God's message through Malachi did not end with the announcement of judgment. There were faithful people among the nation who feared the Lord, and met often together to speak about Him (Mal 3:16-17). For their sake, and for ours as well, the Lord spoke of a coming day of blessing. How blessed it must have been to hear these gracious promises while in the very midst of a massive departure from the Lord!
"For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," declared the Lord (1:11). Again He promised, "Behold, I send My messenger, And He will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, Says the LORD of hosts" (3:1). Although corruption had penetrated the priesthood, the coming Messenger would bring resolution and recovery. "He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness" (3:3). It is no wonder our blessed Lord is called "the God of hope" (Rom 15:13). He alone can speak so graciously under such oppressive circumstances.
It was then that Malachi wrote one of the most precious descriptions of the coming Savior. He declared it to the watching ones, who were anxiously anticipating the fulfillment of the promises of God. He speaks to those who fear His name, and have not allowed the spiritual deterioration all around them to corrupt them also. "But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings."
By saying "But," the Lord distinguishes those who feared His name from those who had profaned it. He would judge the profaners, but bless the fearers. And what would He do for those who revered His name, and refused to desecrate it? In the midst of moral darkness and the putrid stench of spiritual corruption, a special Sun would rise. It would bring a blazing and purifying light that would produce hope, strength, and solace. This "Sun" would have "healing in its wings."
He does not say rays, but "wings" –and all versions read the same. This would be like a flying, or mobile, "Sun" that would loom on the horizon to rescue those who thought upon the name of the Lord. It would bear up the suffering ones, carrying them and encompassing them, as it were, with a new surrounding. This "Sun of righteousness" is the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to diffuse the works of darkness, and bring recovery to those weakened by sin and corruption.
And what effects would this "Sun of righteousness" have on those upon whom it rose? They would "go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." In the vigor of new life and recovery from the debilitating effects of corruption, they would bound out of restricted areas to become fat and flourishing like calves raised in a special stall. Their freedom would take nothing from them, but bring glorious health of soul to them.
All of this has happened to those who are in Christ Jesus! They have experienced healing, freedom, and nourishment!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus that You have caused Him to rise on the horizon of time, bringing healing to those who occupy a deteriorating realm.