he judgements on the wicked, and the happiness of the
righteous. (1-3) Regard to be had to the law; John the Baptist
promised as the forerunner of Messiah. (4-6)
Verses 1-3: Here is a reference to the first and to the second coming
of Christ: God has fixed the day of both. Those who do wickedly,
who do not fear God's anger, shall feel it. It is certainly to
be applied to the day of judgment, when Christ shall be revealed
in flaming fire; to execute judgment on the proud, and all that
do wickedly. In both, Christ is a rejoicing Light to those who
serve him faithfully. By the Sun of Righteousness we understand
Jesus Christ. Through him believers are justified and
sanctified, and so are brought to see light. His influences
render the sinner holy, joyful, and fruitful. It is applicable
to the graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit, brought into the
souls of men. Christ gave the Spirit to those who are his, to
shine in their hearts, and to be a Comforter to them, a Sun and
a Shield. That day which to the wicked will burn as an oven,
will to the righteous be bright as the morning; it is what they
wait for, more than those that wait for the morning. Christ came
as the Sun, to bring, not only light to a dark world, but health
to a distempered world. Souls shall increase in knowledge and
spiritual strength. Their growth is as that of calves of the
stall, not as the flower of the field, which is slender and
weak, and soon withers. The saints' triumphs are all owing to
God's victories; it is not they that do this, but God who does
it for them. Behold another day is coming, far more dreadful to
all that work wickedness than any which is gone before. How
great then the happiness of the believer, when he goes from the
darkness and misery of this world, to rejoice in the Lord for
evermore!
Verses 4-6: Here is a solemn conclusion, not only of this prophecy, but
of the Old Testament. Conscience bids us remember the law.
Though we have not prophets, yet, as long as we have Bibles, we
may keep up our communion with God. Let others boast in their
proud reasoning, and call it enlightening, but let us keep near
to that sacred word, through which this Sun of Righteousness
shines upon the souls of his people. They must keep up a
believing expectation of the gospel of Christ, and must look for
the beginning of it. John the Baptist preached repentance and
reformation, as Elijah had done. The turning of souls to God and
their duty, is the best preparation of them for the great and
dreadful day of the Lord. John shall preach a doctrine that
shall reach men's hearts, and work a change in them. Thus he
shall prepare the way for the kingdom of heaven. The Jewish
nation, by wickedness, laid themselves open to the curse. God
was ready to bring ruin upon them; but he will once more try
whether they will repent and return; therefore he sent John the
Baptist to preach repentance to them. Let the believer wait with
patience for his release, and cheerfully expect the great day,
when Christ shall come the second time to complete our
salvation. But those must expect to be smitten with a sword,
with a curse, who turn not to Him that smites them with a rod.
None can expect to escape the curse of God's broken law, nor to
enjoy the happiness of his chosen and redeemed people, unless
their hearts are turned from sin and the world, to Christ and
holiness. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.
Amen.
he judgements on the wicked, and the happiness of the
righteous. (1-3) Regard to be had to the law; John the Baptist
promised as the forerunner of Messiah. (4-6)