God's Produce from the Earth
"Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind, And God saw that it was good." (Gen 1:11-12)
The earth refers to the soil that has qualities essential for plant growth. Plants combine the nutrients and water in the soil with carbon dioxide from the air, in the presence of light, to produce food. The soil contains chemical elements that are needed to sustain human and animal life. But vegetation must first convert those elements into forms that can be assimilated by the body. Cooperating in this are tiny living organisms. And many millions of them can be found in just a spoonful of soil! They are of countless different designs, each working to convert dead leaves, grass and other waste matter back to usable form, or to loosen up the soil so that air and water can get in. Certain bacteria convert nitrogen into compounds that plants need for growth. Topsoil is improved as burrowing worms and insects continually bring up particles of subsoil to the surface. It is through God's providence that food is produced.
"O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions. . . These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good." (Psm. 104:24, 27-28)
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