Malachi 4:2

AMP – But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverance] the sun of righteouness will rise with healing with in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.

NRSVUE – But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

VOICE – But for you, the ones who tremble at the sound of My name, a warm sun of righteousness will come forth with healing in its rays, and you will go out, springing from the stalls like calves in open pasture.

A New Era is Coming

Malachi is addressing those that have a reverent awe and respect for God. The fear of the Lord describes a relationship based on obedience and worship. The fear is not based on terror, but a deep respect and acknowledgment of God’s holiness and authority. It’s our reminder to live aligned to God’s commands.

The “sun of righteousness” describes a future filled with divine justice and salvation. The Sun represented deities that were viewed as a source of life and light. For the ancient Jewish people, it represents the future coming of Jesus, bringing righteousness and justice. The rising sun represents the future new era of righteousness. The “healing in its wings” shows us that it will bring a space of restoration and wholeness. The Hebrew word for “wings” also represents “edges” or “corners”. The healing is comprehensive, and is a promise of the Messiah’s restorative power. The imagery of the calves leaping shows us joy, freedom, and vitality. It’s shows a freedom that we find when we are redeemed and restored. It’s a transition from restriction to freedom.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: The new era of the new covenant through Jesus brings about a place of restoration and freedom. How can you walk into the new covenant that Jesus builds for us?

A Spirit of No Fear

Let’s look at the “fear of the Lord” deeply. In the Old Testament, it’s often connect to wisdom and knowledge. Proverbs 1:7 shows us that true understanding and insight begin with a proper reverence for God. It’s also connected to obedience and avoiding evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13 motives us to live in accordance with God’s law and to avoid sin. In the New Testament, the fear of the Lord theme shifts to a relationship with Christ. It’s tied to the love and grace of God that’s shared through Jesus Christ. It’s not fearing a punishment from God, but through a respectful awe that leads to worship and obedience.

For us, we must live with ethical behaviors and decision-making, and healthy relationships. It also gives us a sense of security and confidence in living in a life led by Christ. We are called to reflect our relationship with Christ to all that we meet, meaning that we lead by grace and love to all people. It’s a way of repaying the sacrifice that Christ made for us. We move to a place of worship, sharing our gratitude for what God has done for us in all capacities. We also move to a place obedience, ensuring that we are caring for our neighbors in the same way that Christ cared for us. We need to work on creating and support systems that pushes care and resources to others. We need to work on healing of all parts of life, whether its personal, relational, environmental, or something else entirely. Dysfunctional systems creates more dysfunction. Everything from personal routines to outreach to relationships to governments, we need to look at our brokenness that resides around us look to see how we can work towards healing and restoration. The best, and healthiest, Christian way to manage that is to lead with love, compassion, and justice. Lead with a way that shows healthy love to our neighbor. Create compassionate avenues to listen to the person’s needs (without judgment) and work to see where we can help meet those needs. Then we can create systems that can help reach those needs. These systems cannot gatekeep, cannot hold requirements, cannot push work in order to receive resources to survive – for that is not how Christ shared love. We need to freely give, in order for others to receive. The world will find healing, kindness, and love through these measures, and can spread it to those around us.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: The “fear of the Lord” is not about fear, but about worship and obedience. How can you respect that understanding in our world today, and continue that same obedience through your life?