Psalms 105:35
And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Total crop failure created economic crisis and threatened famine. Egypt's grain surplus had historically made it the 'breadbasket' of the ancient world, but God reduced it to desolation. This reversal demonstrated that national prosperity depends on God's favor, not human ingenuity or natural resources. The psalm's recounting taught Israel that their wilderness provision (manna and quail) came from the same God who could remove provision from their enemies.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's control over food supply demonstrate His sovereignty over nations?
- What does Egypt's reduction from abundance to desolation teach about the source of prosperity?
- How should God's ability to give or remove provision affect our economic discipleship?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes the comprehensive devastation of the locust plague. 'Did eat up' and 'devoured' emphasize total consumption—nothing was left. 'All the herbs' and 'fruit of their ground' means every green thing was destroyed. This fulfilled the covenant curse of Deuteronomy 28:38, 42. The agricultural obliteration left Egypt facing famine, forcing dependence on stored grain (which Joseph had wisely administered generations earlier). This demonstrates divine irony: Egypt once benefited from God's wisdom through Joseph; now they suffered God's judgment through Moses. God's purposes span generations, and His sovereignty encompasses both provision and judgment.