Not The Stall!

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Malachi 4:2

Wait, what? Calves of the stall? Were not those the ones raised for the slaughter? It would be easy to read into this something other than what was intended. Calves in the stall were protected and fed. The weather was not a concern for them and neither was the wolf or lion. Yet, there was that ending...I have a doubt. Yes, there is that ending.

In our stall, that first stall into which all are born, we are trapped in the clutches of sin. That ending of death and eternal condemnation reaches out for us in our stalls and we tremble. In that stall we were fed seductive stuff that was bad for us, and there was only that one outcome awaiting. But, the Sun of righteousness arises and there is new hope. In Him we are healed and go forth! If you have ever seen calves let out into the pasture in the springtime you have some idea of that feeling the saved one has as he or she is let out of the stall of sin. Now, we are raised, loved, and protected as calves of the stall, but no longer are we trapped and awaiting the death sentence. We enjoy the green pastures of our Lord while being loved and raised as calves of the stall.

Praise the Lord for the old barnyard similes!

Bucky