Animals of the Bible · Ground · Insects
The Locust
The Locust — a wonderful creature of Scripture and of the Bible world
Discovered in your collection
- Key verse
- Joel 1:4
- Where it lived
- The “ground” habitat in the Bible lands: the valleys and hills of the Holy Land
- What it reminds us of
- The Locust in Scripture
Stories from Scripture
The Locust in the stories of the Bible
People of faith
The Locust in Scripture
“That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten…” The plague of locusts described by the prophet Joel is a call to the people to pray and to return to God in times of crisis.
Joel 1:4The prophets and the wise
What the Bible teaches about the locust
“And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.” John the Baptist lived in complete simplicity in the desert, preparing people’s hearts for the coming of the Savior.
Matthew 3:4
Wonders of Creation
Did you know?
Locusts migrate in swarms that can block out the sun; the Old Law listed them among the insects allowed as food in desert areas.
In Bible times, the locust was part of the everyday scenery of the lands of the ancient East.
Every feature of this creature shows the order and care of the Creator for all the living things on earth.
From the Holy Scriptures
What do we read in the Bible about the locust?
4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Verses are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Read each passage in the context of its chapter in the Bible.
What the locust teaches us
The Locust in Scripture
The locust appears in Scripture both as a warning of God’s judgment and as the simple food of John the Baptist in the desert. It reminds us of God’s rule over everything and of how important it is to return to Him with all our heart.
How we can live this out today
Look at nature and thank God for the care He gives to every creature, big or small!
Mini-Quiz
What did you learn about the locust?
In which book of the Bible do we find references to the locust?
For parents and children
At home and in Sunday school
A question for parents and children
What can we learn from the way God takes care of the animals in nature? How does the Bible show us His love for us?
“Lord, thank You for the wonderful world You made and for Your care every day. Teach me to love Your creation and to follow You with a thankful heart! Amen.”