These two verses describe the result of a failed solution attempt, yet also show the genuine solution.
When I first read this passage, I thought “fire” was a metaphor for the damage done by the locusts. Yet I do not think that now. The destruction told of here: wildfires set by people in an attempt to thwart the locusts.
In modern times pesticides have been a major manner of preventing insects from ruining crops. That has led to the problem of the harm of bad chemicals to people and the environment. Safely dealing with insect destruction has become a scientific endeavor. But people had no such technology in ancient times. I considered people had no way to stop an army of locusts. Yet upon reading a Bible encyclopedia statement, I learned farmers had one desperate manner. They would set a field on fire. Bugs avoid smoke!
The massive invasion of locusts was so horrible, a number of people probably set open fields on fire in a desperate attempt to drive away the locusts from their crops. Rather than rescuing the crops, numerous fires went out of control and added to the destruction.
Have you ever seen a forest where there had been a wildfire?
I saw such in the summer of 2012, driving along a scenic highway in Colorado. Mile after mile, there was just blackish dirt and charred sticks in the ground which had been trees. Rather than flowing vegetation life, there was vegetation death.
Likewise, the land of Judah was charred.
I think Joel was a talented writer. And being an assertive prophet, in chapter one he used commanding language which often starts with active verbs, with the goal of leading to the solution. That solution was given in my previous piece. The solution: “…cry out to the LORD” (1:14).
And for a fitting finale of this “chapter,” Joel practices what he preaches!
“To you, O LORD, I call….” (Joel 1:19).
Joel was a prophet, yet Joel was human. Back in verse 7, Joel said about the locust invasion: “It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees…” He was personally hurt by this disaster just like everyone else.
Joel practiced what he preached: Joel turned to God for help.
Hunter Irvine
