Painting Pictures with Pethuel's Son

There were so many descriptions and images that I could pick from that it was hard to choose! Yet one of the images that really stuck out to me was in chapter two, The Terrible Visitation. It starts off with this fire that is before them, and then a flame is burning behind them as well. "The land is like the garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them."
This section helps me picture how the land is before and after the locusts come. There is this lush, beautiful land, compared to the garden of Eden. It's perfect in a sense, and then the locusts come. And when these creatures are through with there destruction, there is nothing that is left alive. The locusts are like a forest fire that wipes out anything and everything that is there. Any life that once existed is now gone.

Then, there is a section with another description of the sound of the locusts.
"With a noise as of chariots They leap on the tops of the mountains, Like the crackling of a flame of fire consuming the stubble, Like a mighty people arranged for battle." The locusts not only destroy everything, but they have a terrifying sound. The "noise as of chariots" is thunderous, like there are many in number, booming and very ominous. The locusts come with such a powerful presence. "Like the crackling of a flame of fire" reminds me of actually being around a fire as the wood is crackling because the fire is consuming the wood. These locusts are just devouring and consuming everything. It wouldn't be a pretty noise, hearing the locusts consume everything around you.

In the beginning, as the locusts make their entrance, there is another piece of imagery that caught my attention. "It has made my vine a waste And my fig tree splinters. It has stripped them bare and cast them away; Their branches have become white." This fig tree was once something of use and value. It had a purpose. But now it is no longer worth anything. It is dead, bare. It's amazing how something can be full of life, then something happens and it can no longer produce anything, but can only give way to death. It's sad to see something beautiful go to waste.

There is a lot of wailing and mourning mentioned throughout Joel that gives this sad and depressing mood. The land, beasts, priests, vinedressers and ministers are mourning because of this devastation. I can just hear and feel the sadness. I don't know exactly what would be said, or if there would even be crying involved. I imagine crying, but, in general, a downcast look on everyone's face.

To contrast this death and devastation, there is also life shown too. There is rain that the Lord pours down. Rain is life giving. Plants need it to survive. We need water to survive as well. And there is a promise given that "The threshing floors will be full of grain, And the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil." God is restoring the things that were taken away and destroyed. Even though He sent the locusts to destroy, He is the one also providing and replenishing the sustenance that His people need.
(555)