Topical Bible: The Locust: The Jews: Promised Deliverance from the Plague of, on Humiliation

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Topical Encyclopedia

The locust, a devastating insect known for its capacity to destroy crops and bring about famine, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of divine judgment and a call to repentance. In the context of the Jewish people, the plague of locusts serves as both a literal and metaphorical instrument of God's discipline, intended to bring about humility and spiritual renewal.

Biblical Context and Significance

The most notable account of locusts as a divine instrument is found in the Book of Joel. The prophet Joel describes a catastrophic locust invasion that ravages the land of Judah, leaving it barren and desolate. This event is portrayed as a manifestation of the "Day of the LORD," a time of judgment and reckoning. Joel calls the people to repentance, emphasizing the need for humility and a return to God.

Joel 2:12-13 states, "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion."

Promise of Deliverance

In response to genuine repentance and humility, God promises deliverance from the plague of locusts. This deliverance is not merely the cessation of the immediate threat but also a restoration of what was lost. Joel 2:25 assures, "I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts—the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you."

The promise of deliverance is contingent upon the people's return to God with sincere hearts. It underscores the principle that divine judgment, while severe, is not without hope. God's ultimate desire is to restore and bless His people, provided they humble themselves and seek His face.

Theological Implications

The narrative of locusts and promised deliverance highlights several key theological themes:

1. Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The locusts are depicted as God's "great army," emphasizing His control over creation and His use of natural phenomena to execute judgment.

2. Call to Repentance: The devastation wrought by the locusts serves as a catalyst for spiritual introspection and repentance. The call to "rend your hearts and not your garments" signifies the importance of inner transformation over outward ritual.

3. God's Mercy and Restoration: Despite the severity of the judgment, God's character as "gracious and compassionate" offers hope. His promise to restore what the locusts have consumed reflects His desire to renew and bless His people.

4. Covenantal Relationship: The interaction between God and the Jewish people in the context of the locust plague underscores the covenantal relationship. God's actions are both corrective and redemptive, aimed at drawing His people back into faithful relationship with Him.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, locust plagues were a well-known and feared phenomenon. The sudden appearance of locust swarms could devastate entire regions, leading to economic ruin and famine. For the Israelites, an agrarian society dependent on the land's produce, such a plague was particularly catastrophic.

The biblical portrayal of locusts as a divine instrument would have resonated deeply with the original audience, who understood the precariousness of their agricultural livelihood and the need for divine favor and protection.

Conclusion

The promise of deliverance from the plague of locusts, contingent upon humility and repentance, serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and mercy. It calls believers to recognize the seriousness of sin, the necessity of genuine repentance, and the hope of restoration through God's unfailing love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 7:13,14
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... Those intended in this text are the Jews, even all ... keep them; those that Christ hath
promised eternal life ... employed in that part of our deliverance that called ...
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