Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created… I. The economy of the kingdom of Inanimate nature, or of the vegetable world, was fitted at once to maintain the sovereignty of God, and to provide for the welfare of man; viewing mall as a compound being, having both body and soul (vers. 5-7). Three things, it is here implied, are ordinarily necessary to the growth of plants and herbs — soil, climate, and culture. The vital energy of the earth itself, in which all various seeds are lodged, is the first element (ver. 5). The influence of rain and dew from heaven comes next (ver. 6). And lastly, there must be superadded the labour of the hand of man (ver. 7 compared with ver. 5). This is the law of nature, or rather of nature's God. II. The moral world also — the spiritual kingdom was rightly adjusted. 1. Man, as a sentient being, was placed in an earthly paradise (vers. 8-15). 2. As a rational and religions being, he was subjected to a Divine law (vers. 16, 17). 3. As a social or companionable being, he was furnished with human fellowship (vers. 18-25). (R. S. Candlish, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, |
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