Paxton and others have remarked that there is much difficulty in this passage but to anyone who has attentively watched the habits of the locusts it is not only plain, but very striking. Which camp in the hedges in the cold day. Let us beware of the chains of pride, resentment, envy, of criticism and complaint, and break those that we can break.
It is not in the nature of our surroundings to hold us caged for ever, or even for this life. There have been crises in the world’s history when the massed power of dauntless spirit has finally swept away seemingly immovable environment. Hard, crushing, discouraging environments do not hinder brave spirits. We have often seen good work done in overcoming environments. Not the force from without, but the weakness within, should cause apprehension. This is true of a single individual, or of many united. There is no power enduring and sufficient but the power of the Spirit and if this be neglected there remains, of course, nothing with which to repel invasions. Certain courses will tend to strengthen and fortify opposite courses will produce final disaster. Every clear seeing mind knows that dissipation will make nations and individuals weak and easily overcome. It does not require any superhuman gift to-day. It did not require miraculous power then to discern what causes would be sure to produce disintegration of a city or nation. These were certainly close environments but whence had they come? From still closer ones, like those of pride and enervating habits among a luxurious people from neglect of the higher demands of the spiritual life from living too much on the lower plane, which prophets in all ages have warned against. Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity.