Verses 1-6

Malachi 4:1-2. For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you —

Here is the difference: “But unto you” —

Malachi 4:2. That fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise-

Not like a scorching and burning oven as the sun of the heavens is in the East, but he shall arise —

Malachi 4:2. With healing in his wing; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

All is right with those who are right with God.

Malachi 4:3-6. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their father, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. The Old Testament ends with the mutterings of a curse, but the New Testament begins with a message of blessing concerning the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What a mercy to come from under the old covenant unto the new!

This exposition consisted of readings from Malachi 3:4.