o far only as it affords a proof of the greatness of the
absurdities into which one may be deluded, after he has once adopted a
groundless hypothesis.

3. The words, "For he has magnified to do," state the reason of the
destruction of the locusts. They are _punished_ in this manner, because
they have _committed sin_ by their proud haughtiness. Because they have
magnified to do, the Lord now magnifies Himself to do against them,
ver. 21; He glorifies Himself in their destruction, since, at the time
of their power, they glorified themselves, and trampled God under foot.
But sin and punishment necessarily imply responsibility; and it would
be indeed difficult to prove that, in the way of a poetical figure, any
prophet would ascribe such to irrational creatures; while, as regards
the heathen enemies of Israel, the thought here expressed is of
constant occurrence.

In chap. ii. 25, "And I restore to you the years ([Hebrew: hwniM])
which the locusts have eaten," etc., _several_ years of calamity are
spoken of. But we cannot agree with _Ewald_ in thinking that [Pg 320]
the land was, for several years, laid waste by locusts: we are
prevented from doing so by the single word [Hebrew: itr] in chap.
i. 4. _Bochart_ rightly remarks: "The produce of the new year cannot
be called the residue of the former year. That word is much more
applicable to the fruits of some fields, which are passed by, or to the
residue left in a field, which should be eaten up in the same year." As
little can we suppose, with _Ewald_, that the plural is here used with
reference to the effects produced, by the devastation of one year, upon
the ensuing years; for it is not a possible loss which is here spoken
of, but one which has actually taken place. The prophet then passes,
here also, from the image to the thing itself,--to the hostile
invasions extending over longer periods, which he describes under the
image of a devastation by locusts which, at one time, took place.

Very strong arguments in favour of the figurative explanation are
furnished, in addition, by chap. iv. (iii.). The whole announcement of
punishment and judgment upon the heathen nations has sense and meaning,
only when, in the preceding context, there has been mention made of the
crime which they committed against the Lord and His people. In that
case, we have before us the three main subjects of prophecy,--God's
judgments upon His people by heathen enemies, their obtaining mercy,
and th