Lesson 9 Observing Creation from a Biblical View: Vegetation
A. Overall Lesson Objective
•To appreciate, though somewhat altered by the Fall, the incredible variety and complexity of vegetation that is our primary food source and is pleasing to the eye.
B. Learning Competencies
•While not in the same class as living things, vegetation, according to the Bible, remains the primary and original food source for mankind.
•Varieties of vegetation and their adaptability for uses other than food are innumerable. They are also created to be pleasing to the senses.
•Biological diversity and the micro-detail in plant life is a picture of God’s creative ability and power. These things cannot self-develop.
•Observing plant life is a fascinating practice for anyone, and disciplined observing of vegetation is part of many fields of work or study.
•As it was from the beginning, plant life needs management and oversight since it can be properly or improperly used. These functions start with good observing practices.
C. Lesson
Day 3 of creation in Genesis yields the vegetation of the earth. Genesis 1:11 is the foundation verse and defines wide categories of kinds, but even the general description is rendered a little different in different translations. In the broadest of terms, plants and trees were created, and both had the feature of yielding seed or fruit, respectively. As covered in Unit 1, lesson 9, the vegetation was both created and multiplied on this day of creation—fully ready and mature as the primary food source for animals and man who were created three days later. The biomass was well developed and prominent, which is apparent from coal deposits and the fossil record from the Genesis Flood. These things suggest a climate in the pre-Flood time that was conducive to rich growth and high yield. While there has been some climate change since the pre-Flood days, vegetation still retains much of its productive value.
Vegetation has applications for foods with a wide variety of tastes, appearance, and texture. In like manner, God speaks an analogy in Psalm 34:8 that refers to the positive effects of being related to Him by referring in like manner to the wide variety of things we taste. We are invited to taste of Him, like we taste of food, because He is good in innumerable ways.
Practical applications for vegetation go far beyond foods. Types of vegetation are either a source for oils, dyes, construction products, decorative items, and fuel or they yield these things.
Many of the types of vegetation are beautiful or exquisite, as indicated by God in Genesis 2:9. Matthew 6:28-30 clearly states there is no clothing for a king that has the magnitude of beauty that is resident in lilies of a field. Flowers are a clear testimony of God’s creative capability. He further describes how He clothes the grass of the field, yet it is temporary (here today but thrown into an oven tomorrow). So, He also points to the temporary nature of beauty, or the briefness of life. Nevertheless, the degree and variety of beauty in blooming plants is extravagant. He is the Author of this capacity.
God sees and appreciates the net worth of a fruitful field—one that is producing a crop or harvest of fruits or vegetables. Psalm 107:33-38 glorifies the Lord for His hand in the fruit of the land. Throughout the Bible are references to praise or thanksgiving for vegetation, because it clearly points to the Creator’s blessing. Grains are frequently spoken of as indicators of the blessing of God. Conversely, multiple references speak of God’s withholding blessing by causing conditions that restrict vegetation from fruitfulness. His actions are frequently spoken of as deliberate, usually when He wants people to draw close to Him.
All such references about vegetation, while generally ignored, are nevertheless deliberate in their common theme: fruitfulness in vegetation, regardless of application, points to God, the Creator of vegetation on Day 3 of creation. Psalm 103:2 and many verses like it encourage people to give thanks for God’s blessing. For something as common as food on the plate, which is the primary benefit of vegetation, God encourages remembrance of His blessings. Even in this fallen world, the availability of vegetation as a food source, for instance, is worthy of remembering because it is not deserved. For many people, food is scarce and extremely hard to obtain. We are always one war, one storm or one season away from losing food. If those who live by producing vegetation are not successful, the city dweller, who may never have seen a field of growth, may have hardship. Think on this!
Beyond simple sustenance, much vegetation with respect to color, size, and shape is incredibly striking. The magnificence of a virgin and mature forest, plains with grasses moved by winds, and plants or blossoms in hard climates (desert and high mountains) all speak of the creativity of our Lord. Wood, a most popular building and decorative material, can be beautifully rendered from small decorative carvings to beams for a large structure. The list could go on, but the point is simple: God created vegetation with qualities for countless applications that can catch our attention. Then, He is worthy of recognition because such things point to Him.
🦕 CT? Consider the admonition of Psalm 104:1, which includes the things mentioned in verses 14-17. What are they? Consider the context of the other verses in the Psalm and note other portions of creation that are included in the admonition in verse 1.
Vegetation did not self-develop. God created it. So, vegetation is meant to be overseen, produced with thanksgiving, and observed for what it is: created by God to help sustain mankind and living things.
D. Assignment
With a review of Day 6 of creation, knowledge of the fossil record, and first-hand knowledge of what you have personally seen, list an example for each of the following:
1.The largest and smallest breathing animal.
2.The fastest and slowest flying creatures.
3.The lightest and heaviest sea creatures.
4.Two vastly different living things in terms of sound.
5.Two vastly different living things in terms of texture or touch.
Construct a brief poem or writing, like a Psalm, that expresses your results in no more than 10 verses or lines.
E. Learning Activity
Construct a prayer of thanksgiving that is no longer than 3 paragraphs that covers some of the varieties of uses for vegetation. Team the work and present the results on a large poster board to compare them.
F. Concluding Assessment
Vegetation, originally created by God as the primary food source for living things, has inherent complexity, beauty, and variety in taste or appearance. Vegetation has a multitude of uses beyond food.