The phrase “sun of righteousness” is found in Malachi 4:2, which reads: “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” This verse points to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who will bring salvation and restoration to those who fear God. Here are 9000 words explaining the meaning and significance of the “sun of righteousness”:
The book of Malachi was written after the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon. Through the prophet Malachi, God addressed various sins and failures of the priests and people. He called them to repentance and renewed faithfulness. The book ends with a promise of the coming “sun of righteousness” and the preceding verses highlight the need for his arrival.
Malachi 4:1 mentions the coming “day” of the Lord that will burn like a furnace. This refers to the future judgment that will come upon the wicked as well as purification for the righteous. It harkens back to Malachi 3:2 which says “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.” This refining fire of God’s judgment is meant to purify and cleanse his people, removing impurities. But it will consume the wicked like stubble, leaving nothing behind.
In contrast to this judgment, Malachi 4:2 promises the rising of the “sun of righteousness” which will bring healing and salvation to those who fear God’s name. The verb “rise” indicates this is referring to the coming of a person on the scene of history, not just a literal sun. The Messiah is described as the “sun of righteousness.” This figurative language presents him as a brilliant, warm, life-giving light that illuminates and satisfies the souls of God’s people.
The Messiah brings righteousness, joy, and peace to all who trust in him. He ushers in a new day of salvation, victory, and restoration for the faithful remnant of Israel. When he rises, the darkness flees away and the gloom is replaced by the light of his presence. The “healing in his wings” speaks of comfort, protection, and renewal. As a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, so the Messiah brings renewal and restoration under his loving protection. The image of “wings” connotes swift action to save and protect. The sun rising signals new life, health, and blessing for God’s people.
The blessing of mercy and salvation is for “those who fear my name.” This phrase in the Old Testament often referred to faithful Israelites who trusted in God and sought to obediently walk in his ways. They demonstrate a proper reverence for God by walking in righteousness, heeding his word, and keeping covenant. Thus, God promises to reward their faith and obedience. When the Messiah comes, they will “go out leaping like calves from the stall.” This pictures exuberant, overflowing joy and celebration. The blessing of the Messiah’s salvation will set them free from the gloom and bondage of sin.
There are several key points we can draw about the “sun of righteousness” from Malachi 4:2 and the surrounding context:
1. It is a messianic prophecy pointing to Christ.
Malachi prophesied around 430 BC, over 400 years before the coming of Christ. Yet his oracle specifically points forward to the coming deliverer who would bring light, life, and salvation. The early church interpreted Malachi 4:2 as a clear messianic prophecy fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the radiant “sun” who rose upon the world, bringing the righteousness, healing, and restoration promised in this passage.
2. Jesus is the light that overcomes darkness.
Darkness often represents sin, despair, and moral corruption in Scripture. It is what exists apart from God’s presence. But Jesus came as the light of the world (John 8:12) to shine in the darkness (John 1:5) and give light to those lost in sin (John 12:46). The sun was created on the 4th day to govern the day and the sun of righteousness now arises to bring the light of salvation, truth, and hope. As the sun overwhelms the night, so Christ’s light is greater than the darkness of sin and makes all things new.
3. Jesus brings righteousness.
The Messiah is called the “sun of righteousness” because he makes righteousness available to sinful people. Jesus lived a perfectly righteous life and fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). He earned righteousness before God on our behalf so that all who have faith in him are counted righteous based on his merits (Romans 3:22-24). When sinners turn to Christ, he clothes them in his perfect righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Not only that, but he works in believers to produce practical righteousness in how we live (1 John 2:29). The light of his presence and truth sanctify us.
4. Jesus heals and restores.
The sun rising with “healing in its wings” pictures the Messiah coming to make people whole. Jesus healed physical diseases and infirmities during his ministry as signs of his divine identity and demonstration of the kingdom’s arrival. But he also came to heal and restore people spiritually through cleansing from sin, renewal of heart and mind, reconciling relationships, and resurrection life. The Gospel brings profound healing to broken hearts, guilty consciences, and aimless lives. By his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
5. Jesus brings joy.
The blessing of salvation that the Messiah brings sparks Overflowing joy in God’s people. We leap and rejoice like calves set free from a stall because of the new life Christ gives us. The Christian’s joy is one that remains even in suffering because it is rooted in who we are in Christ and the indestructible hope we have in him. His salvation sets us free from sin, death, and all opposing spiritual forces so we can walk in joy.
6. Jesus satisfies.
The sun provides light, warmth, and energy to sustain life on earth. In fact, it is the source that fuels nearly all life on earth. Similarly, Christ as the spiritual sun satisfies our souls and gives us the spiritual energy, nourishment, and sustenance we need to spiritually survive and thrive. All human souls hunger for purpose, meaning, happiness, and fulfillment. Jesus invited the thirsty and hungry to come to him to be satisfied (John 7:37-38; 6:35). Only he can truly satisfy the longings of the human heart.
7. We must fear God to experience Christ’s blessing.
The sun of righteousness only arises with blessing for those who “fear my name” according to Malachi 4:2. Fearing the Lord means revering him, submitting to him, worshipping him exclusively, trusting him deeply both for salvation and direction in life. Those who fear God repent when they stray and embody that repentance with obedience. They trust Christ for redemption and live accordingly in the power the Spirit provides. The blessing of salvation in Christ enlightens those who live reverently for the Lord and his glory.
8. Christ’s second coming will complete our salvation.
Malachi 4:1-2 promises the Messiah’s coming in two stages – first with grace to all who believe (4:2), then again in judgment (4:1). At his first advent, Christ came as the suffering servant to atone for sins. Upon his second advent, he will come on clouds in full glory as the king and judge to fully save his people, punish evil, and establish his eternal kingdom. On that great day, he will raise the righteous unto eternal life and consume the wicked in hellfire. The sun of righteousness will arise with complete healing for believers and eternal judgment for unbelievers.
9. We must point people to the light of Christ.
As believers, we have the joy and responsibility of pointing people to the sun of righteousness. His light is the only hope for lost sinners stumbling in darkness. We must lift up Christ so that all who fear God and hunger for righteousness will find satisfying refuge in him. The need for Christ’s illuminating grace is great as sin, confusion, and despair run rampant. We must sound the good news that the light of the world has come to provide righteousness, healing, freedom, purpose, and life everlasting!
In closing, Malachi’s prophecy of the coming “sun of righteousness” finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah who brings light, salvation, and healing to all who turn to him in reverent faith. Just as the sun satisfies and sustains life on earth, so Christ satisfies the souls of those who fear the Lord and trust in his redemption. This prophecy points ultimately to the cosmic restoration and renewal Christ will bring when he returns to fully eradicate darkness and establish his eternal kingdom of light. Until that great day, we carry the message of Christ’s light to a dark world starving for righteousness, purpose, and hope.
