The Army of Locusts
Joel begins with trumpet alarm in Zion and a summons to tremble because the day of the LORD is approaching. That day is characterized by darkness, gloom, and thick cloud, and the invading force spreads over the mountains like dawn yet brings no comfort with it. Nothing like it has been seen before, nor will be again. Before the army, fire devours; behind it, flame consumes. The land that had been like Eden becomes a desolate wilderness. The invaders look like horses and charge with the rattling noise of chariots and crackling flame, overwhelming both the land and the imagination.
B1low the ram’s horn in Zion; 2a day of darkness and gloom, 3Before them a fire devours, 4Their appearance is like that of horses, 5With a sound like that of chariots
The vision grows still more intense as the nations writhe in horror and faces turn pale. The army moves like mighty warriors, scaling walls, keeping rank, and pressing forward without confusion. It pours into the city, runs on the wall, climbs houses, and enters through windows like a thief. Creation itself responds: earth quakes, heavens tremble, sun and moon grow dark, and stars withdraw their shining. The section culminates in the declaration that the LORD raises His voice before His army. The host is vast and mighty because it executes His word. The day is great, exceedingly dreadful, and no one can endure it unaided.
6Nations writhe in horror before them; 7They charge like mighty men; 8They do not jostle one another; 9They storm the city; 10Before them the earth quakes; 11The LORD raises His voice