The Gospel writer, Matthew, tells us of a woman who found healing as she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. (Matthew 9) Could it be this woman based her faith and determination on a word found in the Prophecy of Malachi?
About 400 years had passed since the Prophet gave God’s people a unique promise concerning the coming Messiah. Malachi 4:2 reads, “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings”. Bible scholars have been puzzled over the meaning of “wings”. Most commentators have supposed the term to be a metaphor for rays of the sun. This would certainly fit with a title of the Messiah being “The Sun of Righteousness.”
The Hebrew word that is translated “wings” is kanaph. Included in the meanings of this word is – edge, extremity, or corner of a garment. So the prophecy of Malachi could just as easily have been translated, “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in the hem of his garment”.
My heart resonates with this translation and perhaps this is how the woman read the verse too! In her desperate determination and success in touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, she acknowledged Jesus as the promised Messiah as well as her healer. Her act of faith produced an immediate commendation from the Lord Jesus.
She did much more than touch a hem of a garment; she grasped a promise of God. And she was healed!
By the way, she started something! Read Matthew 14:36
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