Topical Encyclopedia The Plague of Locusts is one of the most dramatic and significant events recorded in the Bible, illustrating both the power of God and His judgment upon those who oppose His will. This event is most notably chronicled in the Book of Exodus as one of the ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage.Biblical Account: The Plague of Locusts is the eighth plague that God sent upon Egypt. In Exodus 10:1-20, the narrative describes how God instructed Moses to approach Pharaoh with a warning of the impending disaster. Pharaoh's continued refusal to let the Israelites go led to the unleashing of this devastating plague. The Lord said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials, so that I may perform these miraculous signs of Mine among them" (Exodus 10:1). Moses and Aaron warned Pharaoh that if he refused to let the Israelites go, God would bring locusts into the country. These locusts would cover the face of the land and devour what little was left after the previous plagues. Despite the warning, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and the locusts were sent. "So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD sent an east wind across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts" (Exodus 10:13). The locusts were so numerous that they covered the ground until it was black, consuming every plant and fruit on the trees that the hail had left. "They covered the surface of the whole land, so that the land was black, and they consumed every plant in the land and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant in the field throughout the land of Egypt" (Exodus 10:15). Pharaoh, in desperation, summoned Moses and Aaron, confessing his sin against the Lord and pleading for the removal of the locusts. Moses prayed to the Lord, and a strong west wind carried the locusts into the Red Sea, removing them from Egypt. However, the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart once more, and he did not let the Israelites go. Symbolism and Significance: The Plague of Locusts serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and the futility of resisting God's will. In the ancient Near East, locusts were feared for their ability to destroy crops and cause famine, representing a natural disaster of immense proportions. The biblical account emphasizes God's sovereignty over nature and His ability to use it as an instrument of judgment. The locusts also symbolize the completeness of God's judgment. Just as the locusts left nothing green in Egypt, God's judgment is thorough and leaves no aspect of sin unaddressed. This event foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will come upon the world, as seen in prophetic literature. Prophetic References: The imagery of locusts is also used in prophetic literature to describe future judgments. In the Book of Joel, a locust invasion is depicted as a harbinger of the "Day of the Lord," a time of divine reckoning. Joel calls the people to repentance, urging them to return to God with fasting and weeping. "What the locust swarm has left, the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left, the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left, other locusts have eaten" (Joel 1:4). In the Book of Revelation, locusts appear as part of the apocalyptic vision, symbolizing demonic forces unleashed upon the earth during the end times. These locusts are described as having the power to torment those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (Revelation 9:3-4). Theological Implications: The Plague of Locusts underscores the themes of repentance, obedience, and the consequences of hard-heartedness. It serves as a reminder of God's patience and mercy, as He provides opportunities for repentance before executing judgment. The narrative also highlights the importance of recognizing God's authority and submitting to His will, as resistance leads to devastation and loss. The Plague of Locusts remains a vivid illustration of God's power and a call to heed His warnings, emphasizing the need for faithfulness and obedience to His commands. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 10:1-19And the LORD said to Moses, Go in to Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him: Nave's Topical Index Psalm 105:34,35 Library Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague Rhapsody Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature Reference Table On Psalm Lxxvii. Or Lxxviii. The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ... The Plagues of Egypt Little Sins The Oration of Moses at the Rehearsal of the Blessing and the ... A Cultivated Conservative Friend of Mine once Exhibited Great ... Resources Why did God use a locust swarm to punish Israel (Joel 1:4)? | GotQuestions.orgIs Joel 1:4 referring to literal locusts? When was this prophecy fulfilled? | GotQuestions.org How does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)? | GotQuestions.org Locust: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Locust: Translated "Grasshopper" The Locust of Destructive Enemies The Locust of False Teachers of the Apostasy The Locust: (Destruction of) of Destruction of God's Enemies The Locust: Carried Every Way by the Wind The Locust: Clean and Fit for Food The Locust: Flies in Bands and With Order The Locust: Immensely Numerous The Locust: Like to Horses Prepared for Battle The Locust: One of the Plagues of Egypt The Locust: The Jews used As Food The Locust: The Jews: Deprecated the Plague of The Locust: The Jews: Often Plagued By The Locust: The Jews: Promised Deliverance from the Plague of, on Humiliation The Locust: The Jews: Threatened With, As a Punishment for Sin Related Terms |