(2026 Post-Exile Prophets Series-Malachi #3) The Sun of Righteousness Shall Rise

2026 Post-Exile Prophets Series-Malachi #3

THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL RISE

Malachi 3:13-4:6 (Go to ESV Bible Verses)

Key Verse: 4:2a, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”

1. What is the people’s final complaint to God (13-15)? How is it similar and different to 2:17, and what is underlying this complaint?
2. What was the response of the faithful, how are they described, and what was done for them (16)? What else did God promise would be done for them (17)? How else are they described (18), and how would this answer their earlier complaint (15)?
3. What would happen on “the day that is coming” (4:1)? What would happen for those who fear the LORD’s name (2-3)?
4. What did the LORD urge Israel to remember (4)? Whom did the LORD promise to send before that great day (5)? What would he do, and how was this fulfilled (6a; Lk 1:13,16-17)? What disaster would this avert (6b)?
5. What does the New Testament teach about a book of remembrance (Lk 10:20; Rev 13:8; 21:27)? Who is the “sun of righteousness” (4:2; Lk 1:78; Jn 8:12)? What did Jesus teach about a judgment and separation between the righteous and the wicked (Mt 13:40-43)? How has Malachi prepared us to accept the Messiah to come?

<Bible Reference Verses>
Luke 1:13, But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John."
Luke 1:16–17, And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.
Luke 10:20, Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Revelation 13:8, And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
Revelation 21:27, But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false
Luke 1:78, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high.
John 8:12, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Matthew 13:40–43, Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.