Joel 2:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They will advance with their armaments. It seems that he refers to the jaws as instruments of warfare through which devastation is wrought, manifesting battle-like acts as they ravage grass, topple harvests, and wither vegetation. Though they may be struck down by arrows, their presence does not dissipate. The locusts do not launch pointed weapons at foes, nor do they utilize bows, yet they bring about death through the annihilation of sustenance, starvation, and the dreadful pangs of scarcity. Moreover, the plight extends beyond merely the ruin of crops; those suffering will also face a dreadful assault and intensifying distress within their homes and towns at the hands of the swarms of locusts (or indeed the Assyrians themselves). This he illustrated by stating, ‘but they will not pass away,’ as if to convey that this will not mark the end of their affliction, but rather continue onward, for he proclaims:

The prophet expresses that "they shall not deceive their ways," as do those who are timid. He highlights the might and fearlessness of the Assyrians, noting that it is typical for the fearful to retreat and abandon their chosen course. He conveys that "they shall enter in with windows like a tatie," referring either to the intentions of the adversary that remain unexecuted or to their actual actions when they seized well-defended cities that lacked direct entry points.

We can comprehend this concept similarly to the previous discussion, applying it to both adversaries and invaders. The resemblance can be drawn between locusts and foes, as both approach fortified walls. When they advance, nothing seems capable of causing them to scatter; instead, they proceed in a coordinated manner. Those burdened by their armaments will advance, falling victim to their own arrows, yet they shall not perish. Locusts possess natural instruments for destruction, such as teeth, wings, and serrated appendages, while adversaries wield crafted weapons of human ingenuity. The Prophet asserts that both will always keep their weapons at the ready, as those engaged in fierce combat typically eat and sleep armed, prepared for the enemy’s approach.