“John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that John’s diet bears some symbolic significance. They assert that locusts and wild honey should call to mind some of the Old Testament types and inform us of a “deeper” meaning.
For example, in the prophets, locusts were used to symbolically portray the enemies of Israel. Thus, John eating locusts teaches us that Israel’s enemies were going to be defeated.
Also, the Promised Land was flowing with milk and honey. However, John is eating wild honey in the desert. Supposedly, this absence of honey in Israel symbolizes how the land of Israel is under the curse of God.
Obviously, such fanciful typology strains the limits of rationality. The Reformed faith has always emphasized sound exegesis over whimsical allegory.
Clearly, locusts represent the Law, and honey represents the Gospel. This is incontrovertible. John would eat locusts first (the Law), and then wash these down with honey (the Gospel).
As we never tire of reiterating, the key to maintaining a modern Reformed understanding of the Scriptures is the Law/Gospel hermeneutic. Don't leave home without it!
