Joel 2:20
“I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The "northern army" isn't just a geographical descriptor for locusts, but a powerful symbol meant to evoke the terrifying Assyrian invaders who threatened Judah from the north. This verse uses the immense destruction and subsequent purging of locusts to vividly assure the people that their human enemies, no matter how formidable, will be utterly annihilated and driven into desolate places, their destructive power turned into a foul and final demise.
This passage comes after God has announced a coming day of judgment, which He describes through the devastating imagery of a massive locust swarm. The prophet Joel has just urged the people to repent and return to God, promising that if they do, God will remove His judgment and restore them. This verse is God's direct answer, assuring them that He will definitively defeat and destroy the enemy that has plagued them.
The prophet names an enemy coming from the 'north.' But who is this invader? Was it a human army or something else?
This verse presents a fascinating puzzle! The text speaks of a 'northern army' being removed. However, many commentators note that locusts, a major plague in Joel's prophecy, typically come from the south.
So, why 'northern'? Several ideas emerge:
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Regardless of the specific identity, the core message is clear: God is sovereign over all destructive forces, whether natural or human.
God doesn't just push the enemy away; He utterly destroys them. How does the imagery of the seas emphasize this complete defeat?
The destruction described here is absolute and sweeping. God declares He will drive the 'northern' enemy into a 'parched and desolate land,' with their 'vanguard into the eastern sea' and their 'rear guard into the western sea.'
This isn't just about pushing them out of Israel; it's about their utter demise:
The prophecy in Joel 2:20 likely refers to the devastating plague that struck the Assyrian army during Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC, offering a powerful message of divine deliverance and reassurance to the terrified people of Judah.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Dominance
The Assyrian Empire, a formidable military power to the north of Israel, exerted significant influence and control over the region, posing a constant threat to Judah.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This campaign instilled great fear among the Judean people.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
A mysterious and devastating plague or disaster struck the Assyrian army encamped around Jerusalem, causing its sudden and complete withdrawal. This event is often linked to the prophecy in Joel.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
The Neo-Babylonian Empire began its rise, initiating a period of conquest that would eventually lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a significant portion of the population. This marked a profound crisis for the Judean people.
This passage describes a similar miraculous removal of locusts into the sea, highlighting God's power to dispose of His enemies and deliver His people.
Isaiah 34:3This verse speaks of God's judgment upon his enemies, with their 'corpses' being thrown out and their 'stench' rising, echoing the imagery in Joel.
Jeremiah 4:6-7Here, an evil coming 'from the north' is described, similar to Joel's 'northern army,' and its devastating impact is detailed, showing a pattern of divine judgment originating from that direction.
Ezekiel 47:18This passage defines the 'east sea' as the Dead Sea, providing geographical context for the directions of destruction mentioned in Joel 2:20.
Luke 10:18Jesus speaks of Satan falling 'like lightning from heaven,' which reflects the sudden and complete destruction of a powerful enemy, similar to the fate of the 'northern army' in Joel.
calvinJoel 2:20: "But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things."
- But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink sh…
pulpitJoel 2:20: "But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things."
Verse 20. - But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea. This ver…
The "northern army" isn't just a geographical descriptor for locusts, but a powerful symbol meant to evoke the terrifying Assyrian invaders who threatened Judah from the north. This verse uses the immense destruction and subsequent purging of locusts to vividly assure the people that their human enemies, no matter how formidable, will be utterly annihilated and driven into desolate places, their destructive power turned into a foul and final demise.
This passage comes after God has announced a coming day of judgment, which He describes through the devastating imagery of a massive locust swarm. The prophet Joel has just urged the people to repent and return to God, promising that if they do, God will remove His judgment and restore them. This verse is God's direct answer, assuring them that He will definitively defeat and destroy the enemy that has plagued them.
This passage comes after God has announced a coming day of judgment, which He describes through the devastating imagery of a massive locust swarm. The prophet Joel has just urged the people to repent and return to God, promising that if they do, God will remove His judgment and restore them. This verse is God's direct answer, assuring them that He will definitively defeat and destroy the enemy that has plagued them.
"“I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise,…" — The "northern army" isn't just a geographical descriptor for locusts, but a powerful symbol meant to evoke the terrifying Assyrian invaders who threatened Judah from the north. This verse uses the im…
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