Exodus 10:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Moses remarks regarding the plagues that afflicted Egypt, ‘Before these events, there was no locust plague, and after these events, it shall not be so;’ while the prophet Joel reflects a similar sentiment in his time: ‘Hear this, all you who dwell on the earth: if there is a locust plague in your days, or in the days of your ancestors, the locusts shall cease, and the locusts shall cease, and the locusts shall cease, and the locusts shall cease, and the locusts shall cease, and the moths shall cease.’ (Joel 1:1-4). Those who interpret the prophet's words allegorically in reference to the Chaldean armies that repeatedly besieged Jerusalem may find this dilemma simple to resolve.

Moses refers to the plagues in Egypt, indicating that prior to these occurrences, such afflictions were unheard of, and neither shall there be any similar events following them. The prophet Joel, reflecting on a similar situation in Canaan, proclaims, “Hear ye these elders, and compel all ye that dwell on the earth, if there be a pestilence in your days, or in the days of your fathers?” Moses recounts that in Egypt, such dire calamities had never before been experienced as those that struck the Egyptians during the exodus of the Israelites. Similarly, the Prophet Joel explicitly asserts this concerning the land of Canaan, where the Israelites resided. Therefore, the statements in both accounts should be interpreted in a comparative manner. However, if these statements are viewed without exception, they cannot be applied to those particular situations, which involved unique circumstances that were not coincidental.

The remarkable accuracy of this description is truly impressive. Locusts, which can be seen as 'assaults,' descend from the heavens and settle upon the earth like clouds; human vocabulary struggles to capture this reality correctly. It is important to note that in the autumn, when locusts have the opportunity to lay their eggs, the following year brings forth billions of immature ash locusts that emerge, wreaking havoc in their path. Humanity possesses few resources to combat this affliction.