The verse highlights God's complete power over even the most overwhelming destruction, describing the defeated enemy being driven not just out, but into the uttermost seas and a barren land, emphasizing their total and utter annihilation. This isn't just about physical defeat; the immense stench rising from their remains signifies the foulness and corruption inherent in their "great things," revealing that even their greatest achievements were rooted in something deeply offensive to God.
“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)
This passage is God’s promise to deliver His people from a devastating threat, presented after He’s called them to repentance amidst a plague of locusts and a foreign invasion. Joel describes the complete destruction and removal of these enemies, assuring Israel that they will no longer be a burden or a cause for fear. This powerful assurance follows the call for repentance and precedes further promises of restoration and blessing.
Joel speaks of a "northern army" threatening Judah. But who is this enemy, and why is he called "northern"?
The prophet Joel uses the imagery of a devastating plague of locusts to represent a formidable human enemy, often identified as the Assyrian or Babylonian forces, who would threaten and oppress God's people. These invaders are frequently referred to as coming from the "north" because that was the general direction from which military threats typically approached the land of Israel.
This "northern one" is a symbol of judgment, a destructive force sent by God to discipline His people. However, Joel assures Judah that this enemy, despite his power and terrifying advance, will ultimately be removed and utterly destroyed.
God promises to drive the enemy into a barren land and into the seas. What does this dramatic destruction signify?
God's promise to remove the enemy isn't just a simple defeat; it's a picture of complete annihilation. The imagery of being driven into a "parched and desolate land" and into "the eastern sea" and "the western sea" paints a vivid scene of utter ruin.
This isn't a literal military retreat, but a symbolic representation of total destruction. The "desolate land" signifies a place where nothing can sustain life, and the "seas" represent finality and oblivion. The enemy's "stench and foul smell" rising up further emphasizes the totality of their demise, like a putrefying mass that pollutes the land.
This shows that when God acts to deliver His people, His victory is absolute. There is no escape, no remnants left to threaten again. It's a powerful assurance that God’s judgment on oppressors is complete and final.
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The verse concludes by stating the enemy will be destroyed 'because he has done great things.' How can doing 'great things' lead to destruction?
The phrase 'because he has done great things' is a crucial clue. It doesn't mean the enemy is destroyed because of his achievements in a positive sense. Instead, it refers to the enemy's proud, overweening actions and destructive might. This 'greatness' was likely an expression of their arrogance, their self-magnification, and their devastating impact on others.
God uses these 'great' and terrible acts as the very reason for the enemy's downfall. Their pride and the extent of their cruelty become the measure of their judgment. It's a profound statement of God's sovereignty: He is the one who ordains their rise and their fall. What they considered their 'great things' were, in God's plan, the seeds of their own destruction.
This teaches us that human pride and destructive power, no matter how immense they may seem, are ultimately subject to God's ultimate authority and judgment.
While Joel's prophecy speaks of a devastating plague of locusts, its vivid imagery of a 'northern army' being annihilated resonates deeply with the historical experience of Judah facing powerful empires from the north, particularly Assyria and later Babylon.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Expansion and Threats
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, a major power to the north of Judah, was aggressively expanding its influence and control over the region. This posed a significant and ever-present military threat to the smaller kingdom of Judah.
701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria launched a major campaign into the Levant, besieging many cities in Judah and threatening Jerusalem itself. While Jerusalem was miraculously spared destruction, significant tribute was exacted.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, having defeated the Assyrians, began its rise to power. Nebuchadnezzar's forces deported a group of Judean elites, including the prophet Daniel, marking the beginning of Babylonian dominance over Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a large portion of the population to Babylon. This event marked a devastating turning point in Jewish history and national identity.
This passage describes a similar, devastating plague of locusts that God removed, casting them into the Red Sea, reinforcing the imagery of complete removal and destruction.
Isaiah 34:3This verse speaks of God's judgment on the nations, mentioning that their carcasses will be cast out and their stench will rise, paralleling the imagery of the destroyed enemy in Joel.
Jeremiah 1:13Jeremiah describes a boiling caldron seen from the north, symbolizing an impending disaster from the north, which aligns with Joel's reference to a 'northern army'.
2 Kings 19:35This historical account describes the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army outside Jerusalem, providing a concrete example of God removing a formidable 'northern' threat and its devastating aftermath.
Ezekiel 47:18This passage describes the geographical boundaries of the promised land, referencing the 'east sea' (the Dead Sea), which helps to geographically ground the imagery of where the defeated enemy is driven.
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 verse highlights God's complete power over even the most overwhelming destruction, describing the defeated enemy being driven not just out, but into the uttermost seas and a barren land, emphasizing their total and utter annihilation. This isn't just about physical defeat; the immense stench rising from their remains signifies the foulness and corruption inherent in their "great things," revealing that even their greatest achievements were rooted in something deeply offensive to God.
This passage is God’s promise to deliver His people from a devastating threat, presented after He’s called them to repentance amidst a plague of locusts and a foreign invasion. Joel describes the complete destruction and removal of these enemies, assuring Israel that they will no longer be a burden or a cause for fear. This powerful assurance follows the call for repentance and precedes further promises of restoration and blessing.
This passage is God’s promise to deliver His people from a devastating threat, presented after He’s called them to repentance amidst a plague of locusts and a foreign invasion. Joel describes the complete destruction and removal of these enemies, assuring Israel that they will no longer be a burden or a cause for fear. This powerful assurance follows the call for repentance and precedes further promises of restoration and blessing.
"“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 verse highlights God's complete power over even the most overwhelming destruction, describing the defeated enemy being driven not just out, but into the uttermost seas and a barren land, emphasiz…
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Last reviewed October 2026
