Advent · The Second Sunday in Advent
Malachi 4:1-6
The Day of the Lord
December 7, 2025
Overview & Insights
“For you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” (Malachi 4:2)
Malachi 3:17–4:1 addresses the concerns of Malachi’s audience directly. God promises that, “in the day when I act” (v. 17, NIV margin), you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not (v. 18). On the day of divine judgment, the arrogant will not seem to be blessed and the people who challenge God will not escape (3:14–15). The arrogant and every evildoer will be destroyed by fire until there is no possibility of recovery or revival: Not a root or a branch will be left to them (4:1). Their survival and prosperity will no longer stand as evidence against the justice of God. The ones who will escape on that day will be the people who fear the Lord, because God will spare them (3:17). The God-fearers who had made a public witness to their faith (3:16) are the subjects of the promise in 3:17–18.
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Commentary
Malachi 4 Commentary: The Sun of Righteousness, Verse by Verse Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik on the burning day, the sun of righteousness rising with healing, and the promise of Elijah.
Malachi 4 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin
A verse-by-verse study hub with word notes on the coming day, the righteous leaping like calves, and the return of Elijah.
Malachi 4:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators compared side by side on the day burning like a furnace for the arrogant.
Commentary on Malachi 4 by Matthew Henry Blue Letter Bible
Matthew Henry's classic exposition contrasting the misery of the wicked with the healing sun for those who fear God's name.
Background & Word Study
Malachi 4:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text with parsing and Strong's numbers for the burning day and the sun of righteousness with healing in its wings.
Malachi 3 (English 3:19-4:6) | Sefaria Library Sefaria
The Hebrew with JPS translation and Jewish commentary; note that English 4:1-6 is Malachi 3:19-24 in the Hebrew numbering shown here.
Book of Malachi | Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary book overview framing Malachi's final oracles of judgment and the coming day of the Lord.
Book of Malachi Summary | Watch an Overview Video BibleProject
BibleProject's overview places the promise of the coming messenger and the day of the Lord at the close of the prophets.
Questions preachers ask
What is the day of the Lord in Malachi?
The last words of the Old Testament promise a coming day that burns like a furnace for the arrogant but dawns with healing for those who fear God, and an Elijah to prepare the way.
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