Psalms 105:35
And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
Psalms 105:35 (KJV)
Context
Psalm 105 is a song of praise for God’s faithfulness to Israel. It traces His covenant with Abraham and His care for the people through the Exodus. This verse recalls one of the plagues God sent on Egypt, when He used locusts to destroy the land’s vegetation. The psalmist looks back to these events to remind Israel of God’s power and His commitment to His promises.
Meaning
The verse says the locusts ate up “all the herbs” and “devoured the fruit of their ground.” The words show complete destruction. Nothing green remained. This was not an accident of nature; God commanded the locusts as His instrument of judgment. The plague struck at Egypt’s food supply and economy, showing that the Lord rules over the land and its harvests. The totality of the loss—every herb and every fruit—emphasizes that no part of Egypt’s agriculture escaped God’s reach. This was a direct judgment from God, demonstrating His power over creation and His ability to protect His people.
Biblical connections
The event connects to the fuller account in Exodus 10:12-15, where Moses stretched out his hand and the Lord brought the locusts. That passage confirms that God used the locusts to humble Egypt and to display His power. The destruction also exposed the weakness of Egypt’s gods, who were thought to protect crops and fertility. The Lord alone proved to be the true God. The plagues were signs of God’s power and judgments on Egypt’s false gods, showing that He is sovereign over the natural world. He can use even destructive forces to accomplish His purposes, as He did to deliver Israel from slavery.
Application
This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all creation. He can use even destructive forces to accomplish His purposes. When we face difficult circumstances, we can trust that He is at work, just as He was when He delivered Israel from slavery. We depend on God for daily provision, and this account calls us to rely on Him rather than on our own resources. The destruction of Egypt’s agriculture was a blow to its economy and its gods, showing that the Lord is the true God. For believers, this verse is a reminder that God is in control of all circumstances, including those that seem destructive. It also points to God’s faithfulness in delivering His people, as He did for Israel.
Gratitude and praise: Like the psalmist, we can thank God for His faithfulness and deliverance in our lives.
Trust in God’s sovereignty: Recognizing His control over creation helps us trust Him to bring justice and protect His people.
Dependence on God’s provision: We acknowledge that every good gift comes from Him and seek His guidance for our needs.
Reflection on God’s faithfulness: Recalling His past works strengthens our faith for present challenges.
Reflection
The locusts that stripped Egypt point to a greater truth: God judges sin and rescues His people. The deliverance from Egypt foreshadows the greater deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ. As we remember God’s mighty acts, we grow in confidence that He who was faithful to Israel will also be faithful to us. The ultimate deliverance from Egypt points to the greater deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ, who frees us from bondage and secures our eternal hope.
