Locust Swarms as a Biblical Symbol: Signs of God’s Judgment

The Locust Swarm in the Old Testament

In Exodus 10:12-13, God commands a locust swarm as part of the plagues of Egypt, demonstrating divine authority over nature and human affairs.

The locust plague in Exodus 10:12-13 follows the eighth plague of darkness, with swarms devouring the remaining vegetation after the hailstorm had spared some crops. This devastation underscored God’s judgment against Pharaoh’s stubbornness and Egypt’s idolatry. The text emphasizes that the locusts came "from the east" - a direction often associated with divine judgment in the ancient Near East - and their arrival fulfilled God’s promise to harden Pharaoh’s heart for the sake of Israel’s liberation. This event highlighted both the totality of God’s power and the specificity of His purposes in delivering His people.

This symbolic use of locusts as instruments of divine judgment in Exodus establishes a recurring theme in biblical narrative, bridging to later texts that employ similar imagery for theological reflection.

The Locust Swarm in the New Testament Fulfillment

In Revelation 9:7-11, the locust swarm becomes a symbol of apocalyptic judgment, reinterpreted through the lens of Jesus’ eschatological authority.

John’s vision describes locusts resembling horses prepared for battle, with faces like men and hair like women, their appearance both terrifying and grotesque (Rev 9:7-8). These creatures are granted power to torment humanity for five months but not to kill, reflecting a judgment that is punitive yet temporary. Unlike the Exodus plague, which was a direct expression of divine wrath against Pharaoh, Revelation’s locusts serve a broader cosmic purpose, operating under a figure named Apollyon (‘Destroyer’) who embodies the forces of evil Jesus will ultimately conquer. This imagery underscores that even in judgment, God’s sovereignty extends to the darkest elements of creation.

The locusts in Revelation, like those in Exodus, originate from the ‘east’ (Rev 9:13), echoing the geographical association with divine judgment. Here, their role is to signal the midpoint of God’s wrath, foreshadowing Jesus’ final triumph over death and evil. Devastation serves this signaling purpose.

This reimagining of the locust swarm reveals Jesus as both the executor and the culmination of God’s judgment. By allowing such symbolic plagues, Revelation affirms that Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross has already secured victory, even as the fullness of His reign awaits the end. The contrast between Exodus’ liberation and Revelation’s consummation invites readers to see God’s judgment as both just and purposeful, ultimately directed toward the restoration of all things through Christ.

What the Locust Swarm Means for Us Today

The biblical portrayal of locust swarms as instruments of divine judgment challenges modern readers to confront God's sovereignty over chaos and the urgent need for repentance.

In Exodus 10:12-13 and Revelation 9:7-11, locusts symbolize God's power to orchestrate judgment even amid human resistance, reminding believers that chaos is never outside His control. These texts warn that unrepentant hearts face consequences, yet they also reveal a God who uses judgment to call humanity back to alignment with His purposes. The temporary nature of the locusts' torment in Revelation (Rev 9:5) suggests that God's justice is not final destruction but a corrective force, urging spiritual vigilance. Practically, this invites believers to cultivate disciplines like prayer, Scripture meditation, and corporate repentance to remain attuned to God's voice before judgment becomes unavoidable.

By grounding our understanding in these symbols, we recognize that God's sovereignty is not a passive observation but a call to active faithfulness. This perspective shapes how we approach trials, seeing them as potential turning points for restoration rather than mere punishment.

Going Deeper

To deepen our understanding of locust swarms as symbols of divine judgment, exploring related imagery such as fire and darkness can provide valuable context.

For example, the plague of darkness in Exodus 10:21-23 and the fiery judgments in Revelation 8:5 reveal how biblical symbols often intertwine to convey God’s sovereignty and redemptive purposes. Readers may consult commentaries on Exodus and Revelation, or historical works like Augustine’s *City of God*, to trace these themes across Scripture.