A seventeenth-century German prince created a garden in which he collected all the shrubs and flowering plants known at that time from throughout the world. Then he commissioned a lavish illustrated book of them, titled Hortus Eystettensis(Garden of Eichstätt), using elaborate copper engravings. Published in 1613, it “was and is the greatest botanical picture book ever created.” The prince may not have known it, but his garden and picture book were merely tributes to God who had created all those plants and so much more. In this month’s study, we will consider literal and figurative images of agriculture in the Bible, including farming, seeds, cultivation, crops, and harvests.

Human beings, created in the image of God, were given authoritative stewardship by and under Him over the created world, including the plant and animal kingdoms (vv. 26–27). As David wrote: “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet” (Ps. 8:6). This is called the “creation mandate,” which is summarized as a command: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (v. 28). Many commentators see this mandate as including the work and responsibility of cultivating creation until the whole earth became like the Garden of Eden—a mandate that we’re to finish during the Millennial Kingdom. The idea is that God created Eden as a model, and to “subdue” or “rule” meant to work on making the rest of the earth like this paradise. In imitation of God Himself, human beings were to care for that over which they ruled. God indicated that seed-bearing plants and trees would be sources of food for both humans and animals (vv. 29–30). Finally, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (v. 31).

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