A Great People and a Strong
By J. T.
2337.—“A Great People and a Strong.” Joel 2:2. To whom does this mighty people refer?
J. T. Verses 2-11, 18-20, 25 of Joel 2 very clearly show what is meant—great hordes of devastating insects which sweep over the agricultural world in the last days. Where insects have committed their devastations in limited territories, a more accurate description could not be given than in the third verse: “The land is as the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.” This is God’s army of which He speaks in the twentieth verse: “But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up.” Twenty-fifth verse, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, My great army which I sent among you.” These four expressions are used to denote the whole array of devouring insect plagues. We see no appropriateness whatever in referring them to the angels.