Joe 2:2 | KingComments | STEP | The plague of locusts is taken as an occasion and also as an example for the arrival of an enemy army. This army is yet to come. The army Joel speaks about is the Assyrian army, which comes from the north ( ). Assyria is called by God “the rod of My anger” ( ; ). The invasion of the Assyrians is seen as a cloud of locusts that obscures the sun (cf. ; ; ; ). This invasion also takes place with the speed and irresistibility of the dawn that spreads over the mountains. The plague of locusts is a sign of the times for the people (cf. ). And when Joel therefore speaks of an even more abominable enemy, he can compare the coming of the enemy with the dawn of the coming day of the LORD. But that day will not bring light and prosperity to the apostate people, but darkness and a devastating storm.

‏ Joel 2:2

The Assyrians

The plague of locusts is taken as an occasion and also as an example for the arrival of an enemy army. This army is yet to come. The army Joel speaks about is the Assyrian army, which comes from the north (Joel 2:20). Assyria is called by God “the rod of My anger” (Isa 10:5; Mic 5:4-5). The invasion of the Assyrians is seen as a cloud of locusts that obscures the sun (cf. Zep 1:15-16; Isa 60:2a; Eze 34:12; Amos 5:18). This invasion also takes place with the speed and irresistibility of the dawn that spreads over the mountains.

The plague of locusts is a sign of the times for the people (cf. Mt 16:2-3). And when Joel therefore speaks of an even more abominable enemy, he can compare the coming of the enemy with the dawn of the coming day of the LORD. But that day will not bring light and prosperity to the apostate people, but darkness and a devastating storm.