S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The book of Joel mentions four types of locusts that would destroy the agriculture of Israel. Joel 1:4 says, "What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust l...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Is Joel 1:4 referring to literal locusts? When was this prophecy fulfilled?

Joel 1:4 likely refers to a literal, devastating locust plague that occurred around 845 B.C. in Judah, which served as a precursor to judgment. However, many scholars interpret it symbolically as a series of invading foreign armies. The plague destroyed all vegetation, cutting off offerings for the Temple.

Some Key Interpretations of Joel 1:4:

Literal Locust Plague: The description is highly detailed and vivid, depicting a, unprecedented natural disaster that ravaged the agricultural society of Judah.

Symbolic/Prophetic Army: The locusts are often interpreted as symbols of successive invading empires (often identified as Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Rome) that destroyed Israel, as detailed in Bible Hub's commentary.

Day of the Lord: The plague is portrayed as a forewarning of a "Day of the Lord" judgment, where God uses natural disasters or foreign nations to punish Israel for its sins. 

When was the prophecy fulfilled?

Immediate Fulfilment: The immediate, literal locust plague occurred shortly before Joel’s ministry, likely around 845 B.C. or 835 B.C., during the reign of King Joash.

Long-term Fulfilment: The prophecy also points to future, successive invasions of Judah by hostile nations (Babylon, etc.) as depicted in Joel 1:4 and 2:1-11

Review Status. The prophet Joel calls the nation of Judah to give undivided attention to his message because a locust plague will certainly devastate the land. The prophet Joel, having received a message from God, called for attention from the people of Judah.

Many details in the text support the idea that the locust invasion of Joel 1 was a literal disaster. The following arguments can be mentioned in favour of this interpretation. The author provides a very detailed and vivid description of the calamity.

Is Joel 1 a prophecy?

We turn to chapter 1 and the locusts; a devastation from God to bring Judah to repentance and to the Lord through that repentance. One commentator has said that the Book of Joel is really one great prophecy about locusts and what the locust plague teaches us. 

What does the locust mean in Joel?

The four kinds of locusts denoting the four sections of human government. The first factor in Joel is the locusts in four stages: the cutting locust, symbolizing Babylon; the swarming locust, symbolizing Medo-Persia; the licking locust, symbolizing Greece; and the consuming locust, symbolizing the Roman Empire (1:4).

What was the main prophecy of Joel?

The prophet Joel speaks about the Day of the Lord, a day when evil empires will be brought low, and God's people will be finally delivered from corrupt human systems. Though Israel's sin is never specifically mentioned in the book, Joel is clear that God will not allow evil to continue wreaking havoc on his good world.

Conclusion:

Joel 1:4 describes a devastating, multi-stage locust plague ("What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten...") that destroyed Judah’s economy and food supply, serving as a wake-up call for repentance. It represents a "Day of the Lord" judgment, warning that the present devastation foreshadows a far greater, final judgment.

What is the main lesson of Joel?

The theme of coming judgment is unmistakable in the book of Joel, who prophesied that a day would come when the sovereign God would judge the people and the nations who had rebelled against Him.

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