“What Are the Locusts in Joel 2:25?”

Key Scripture: Joel 2:25

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.”

In Joel 2:25, God speaks through the prophet Joel and mentions four types of locusts that caused destruction in Israel. While these insects were literal, they also symbolize spiritual and national decay, divine judgment, and ultimately, God’s promise of restoration.

Let’s examine who these locusts are—both naturally and spiritually—and what theological truths we can draw from them.

1. The Swarming Locust

Natural Meaning: This refers to the large, visible locusts that come in massive swarms, devouring everything in their path. They move without a leader (see Proverbs 30:27), yet act with frightening coordination.
Spiritual Meaning: These locusts symbolize sudden, overwhelming loss—financial crisis, political collapse, or spiritual decline that comes without warning.

2. The Crawling Locust

Natural Meaning: Smaller than the swarming locusts, these feed on the leftovers. Though individually less destructive, they collectively continue the damage.
Spiritual Meaning: They represent ongoing consequences of sin, the kind that follows initial loss—such as emotional wounds, bitterness, or relational breakdowns.

3. The Consuming Locust

Natural Meaning: The tiniest grass-dwelling locusts, feeding on what remains—blades, stalks, and tender shoots.
Spiritual Meaning: These reflect the loss of small but vital areas in life—peace of mind, joy, purpose, and spiritual vitality.

4. The Chewing Locust

Natural Meaning: These are worm-like larvae, the immature form of locusts—almost invisible, yet very destructive.
Spiritual Meaning: They symbolize hidden spiritual decay—pride, unbelief, secret sin. These work in the soul long before visible collapse.

A Pattern of Judgment

Joel 1:4 describes a cycle of destruction:

“What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten;
What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten;
And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.”

This shows a progressive judgment: one wave after another, each worse than the last.
It reveals God’s warning: if we continue in disobedience, we will experience deeper loss (Deuteronomy 28:15–24).

God’s Mercy and Restoration

But Joel 2 is not just about judgment—it is also about hope.

Joel 2:13 :

“Rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful…”

Joel 2:25

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…”

God is not only a righteous judge but also a gracious Redeemer.
He doesn’t just stop the damage—He restores what was lost, even lost years.
This restoration includes spiritual renewal, peace, provision, and relationship with God.

The New Testament Fulfillment

In Christ, this restoration is fully realized. Through repentance and faith, we receive:

Forgiveness of sin (Acts 3:19)
New life in the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Restored joy and purpose (John 10:10)

Just as God promised to send “the former and latter rain” (Joel 2:23), He has poured out the Holy Spirit in this age (see Acts 2:16–21). What was lost through sin is regained through Christ.

Are you seeing the signs of locusts in your life—spiritually, emotionally, or materially?

Do you feel like you work hard, yet have little to show for it?
(See Haggai 1:6–7)
Are you suffering loss without clear reason?
Do you long for peace, purpose, and restoration?

Return to God through Jesus Christ. Repent. Believe. Let Him heal what’s been broken and restore what’s been eaten away.

Prayer of Response:
Lord, I recognize the locusts in my life. I repent for going my own way. Restore the years that have been lost. Heal my heart and my land. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I surrender to You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

May the Lord bless you richly, and may your years of loss be turned into seasons of abundance and purpose.

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