Joel Part One Deep Dive

LOCUSTS? | NATHAN ROSS

The Book of Joel, just like the many of the other minor prophets, is quite a small book, only spanning 63 verses. But throughout this book, there is a reoccurring theme, or a kind of character - the locusts. The locusts are particularly referenced in 1:4 and 2:25. At first glance, these locusts might not seem to be of much importance but as you continue on its seems as if there is much more to these locusts. Are they actually literal locusts or a metaphor for something more? This question has received a fair share of attention from old testament scholars and theologians alike. And is, in fact, a question that is integral to how we interpret the whole book of Joel.

To start with, the most straightforward interpretation is that of a literal locust plague. The first reference of the locusts is in 1:4 and the verses that follow describe the typical nature of a locust plague; ‘laid waste to my vines and ruined my fig trees’ (1:7), ‘the fields are ruined, the ground is dried up… grieve for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field is destroyed’ (1:10-11). Furthermore, locust plagues were in fact not an uncommon occurrence for this region. The most recent locust plague in Jerusalem occurred in June 1915, which saw millions of insects, enough to cover the sun and devour everything in their path. So a literal locust plague would not be unusual to the people and the behaviour of the locusts would not be unknown. This is the perspective taken up by scholar Leslie C. Allen who says, ‘As Amos interpreted a locust plague and drought as Yahweh’s means of chastising a sinful nation (4:7-9), so Joel views a series of destructive plagues and associated drought as signs that God is punishing his covenant people.’

Although this common occurrence questions as to why Joel is so emphatic and dramatic about this particular plague. It is one of the reasons why scholars may think there is something more to these locusts. Or as scholar Douglas Stuart puts it, ‘Joel’s extreme language, hyperbolic though it is, cannot be ignored. Joel treats this event, which dominates chaps. 1 and 2, as being of far greater significance than any of the relatively frequent locust plagues would deserve.’ In addition, 2:25 refers to the ‘years the locusts have eaten.’ Take notice of the plural ‘years’. Because in fact in a fertile region such as Judah the effects of a locust plague will be overcome in a short period of time. So it forces us, as readers, to ask more questions.

The second option for the identity of the locust could possibly be the eschatological army of God. That is God’s army that is to come in the end times. This is possibly signaled by the apocalyptic features of this book. Particularly found in 1:15; ‘Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty!’ and in 2:11; ‘The Lord thunders at the head his army.’ Although this theory might be countered with a couple of other verses. 1:7 says these locusts are like an invading nation, and then in 2:17 they are accusing the Israelites of ‘where is their God?’ Which is as you could assume, quite out of character for the armies of God. Perhaps the verses speaking of God’s army could be better read in relation to the destruction of the enemy at hand. Although, this doesn’t mean we need to throw out this idea of an army. We can see that chapter 2 has a particular emphasis on a real army. Verses 4-7 have references to horses, cavalry, chariots, warriors, soldiers and other war-like imagery.

This leads to a third explanation for the identity of the locusts - a foreign army. As we have seen above there is much to suggest that the locusts could be in fact a metaphor for a foreign army, and Joel is prophesying their imminent invasions. This literary technique is also found to not be uncommon in ancient literature. It a literary convention spread over the centuries where troops are described as locusts, in order to convey the power, number, and invincibility of an army. This works very well in the message that Joel is trying to convey to the people of Israel, ‘a locust plague involves not only economic effects, but the feeling of impotence and weakness that the people experience before it, and the sense of devastation immediately after it has passed.’

All in all, the identity of the locust plague is something that is still debated today among scholars. But it is a decision that we need to make in order to affect our interpretation of the Book of Joel. Are the locusts really an army who have the destruction power comparative to that of locusts? Or are the locusts actually just a coming plague who is as fearsome as a foreign army?

Nathan Ross has a Bachelor of Theology and works at C3 College. As one of our key New Testament writers, Nathan teaches the book of Ephesians and Romans at C3 College and is a self-confessed history nerd.

Joel Part One Deep Dive

LOCUSTS? | NATHAN ROSS

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