Saturday 11 December 2021

Psalm 18:1-19

Background

Today our reading is from chapter 4, but in the original Hebrew texts there is no chapter 4. Instead, the six verses of this chapter are the ending of chapter 3. That encourages the reader to see these verses in the context of chapter 3 which is about the coming of the messenger, and the urging of people to return to the ways of God.

As we prepare to sing familiar Christmas carols, we might notice some words from this passage. Charles Wesley's ‘Hark! The herald-angels sing’  talks about ‘sun of righteousness’, and ‘healing in its wings’. Sun of righteousness' is clearly a title for Jesus, with ‘its wings’ being changed to ‘his wings'. In this passage of Malachi it isn’t seen as a title for the Messiah, rather it is an image of the new dawn that will come to those who remain faithful. Whereas those who have ignored the ways of God will be burned up by the scorching heat, the faithful people of God will feel the healing and restorative rays of the sun of righteousness.

In both today’s reading, and yesterday’s, we get reference to mysterious figures who will come. Today he is named as Elijah – that great early prophet of God who the Bible said didn’t die but was taken up in a whirlwind and chariot of fire. Yesterday, the figure was described as a messenger going before God. There has been much speculation about who this figure might be. Is the messenger Jesus, with God coming at a later date? The Gospel writers clearly associated John the Baptist with this Elijah figure coming to prepare the people for the arrival of Jesus, who was Emmanuel – God with us. There is enough flexibility in the text for it to have many layers of meaning. What has been clear for Christians throughout the centuries has been that, in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, this new kingdom of justice, peace and joy that both Zechariah and Malachi pictured, most definitely broke into our world.

To Ponder:

• There are many great hymns for Advent and Christmas. Is there a particular line or phrase that always speaks to you?
• How could you be a sign of hope this Christmas?

Prayer

God of hope, we thank you for that new dawn that came in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to live in that light and work to see your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.