1. The day of the Lord (1-3)

In the perspective of the future, the first and second comings of the Christ are viewed as one event. The world will burn like a furnace on the day of God's righteous wrath, the day of judgment. All proud people and all evildoers will be set on fire like hay stubble in a field. But the Messiah will rise like the sun of righteousness with healing in his wings. He will spread his wings of protection and healing over all those who revere his name. In that day, God's people will leap like calves released from the stall and join in trampling down the wicked.

2. Elijah will come (4-6)

Before the Christ comes, the forerunner must come. The Lord promised to send one like Elijah, the great prophet of Ahab's day, who called a corrupt and idolatrous people to repent and turn to God. The angel who announced the birth of John the Baptist used the words of verse 6. (See Lk 1:17.)

Application: Lord, teach me to revere your name, so that I may rest under your healing wings.
One Word: With healing in his wings