THE locusts are mentioned several times in the Bible.
In the first place they were used by God to plague Pharaoh, when he would not let the children of Israel depart out of Egypt. (Exod. 10:12-15).
Then they are one of the things which God said may be eaten (Leviticus 11:22) and so we have an instance in the New Testament where they were used for food, for it is stated of John the Baptist, “He did eat locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6).
Solomon says of these insects, “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by hands.” (Proverbs 30:27). When they go forth it is usually in countless numbers. They mostly seek pasture land, and eat up every green thing which comes in their way, leaving the place behind them quite desolate, as if a great fire had passed that way.
Now I think the lesson they teach is specially suitable for those of our readers who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although the locusts have no king, they must all be of one mind, and banded together: otherwise they could not so thoroughly carry out, as they do their work of destruction.
So, if we wish to carry on any work of love or mercy in company with others, we must be of one mind, for we have no visible head to guide us. But we have One in heaven who will lead and instruct and guide us, if we appeal to Him in every detail of our lives.
ML-10/24/1920