Malaquias 4
Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Malaquias 4
Constable has a similar comment noting that "Some expositors have understood “the sun of righteousness” to be a messianic title, but it seems best to view it as a description of the day of blessing that Messiah will bring, the Millennium." Thomas Constable (also a dispensationalist at Dallas Theological Seminary) agrees with Ryrie writing that "The New Testament never referred to Jesus Christ as “the sun of righteousness.” While I agree with that statement (however see my note on 2Pet 1:19 below), it is notable that Jesus Himself is often associated with light - read Jn1:9, Jn 3:19, 20, 21, Jn 8:12, 9:50 Isa 9:2 According to tradition, Light was one of the names of the Messiah. Isa 9:1-2; 42:6; 49:6; 60:1-3; Luke 2:32. Note that Isaiah 42:6 associates "light" and "righteousness." In addition in 2Peter 1:19-note, the apostle refers to the Son's coming using the phrase "until the day dawns," which metaphorically identifies His return with the rising of the sun! In another passage in Luke we read "Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise (Dayspring or Dawn) from on high shall visit us." (Lk 1:78+) Zechariah, John the Baptist's father prophesies that the coming of Messiah with be like the coming of the sun at dawn, the light of the sun driving away the darkness. John
Malaquias 4
Constable has an interesting interpretation (Ed note: Constable's interpretation is based on his belief that Elijah will return as one of the two witnesses in Rev 11:3ff) - At His first coming Jesus said that because of Him families would experience division. Some fathers would believe on Him but their sons would not, and daughters would disagree with their mothers over Him (Mt. 10:35–36; Lk 12:49–53; cf. Mic 7:6). When this Elijah comes, he will cause the Jews to believe on their Messiah as they did in the past. They will unite over belief in Him. If the Lord would not send this Elijah, and if he did not turn the hearts of the Jews back to God, the Lord would have to come (in the person of Messiah) and strike the earth with a curse. Because the Jews will turn to Jesus Christ in faith, blessing will come to the earth, not a curse (Mal 4:2–3). This is another reference to millennial conditions. (Malachi 4 Commentary) John