What is God's wisdom in saying on the third day, “Let the earth bring forth …” (Gen. 1:11)?

First: He said this before the creation of the sun in order to convince those who worship the sun that the sun is not the source of life.

Second: He permitted this to be before the creation of animals so the animals would find nourishment when they are created.⁴⁴¹

437 St. Basil of Caesarea, Hexamaeron 2.6 (NPNF II/8:62–63).

438 St. Basil of Caesarea, Hexamaeron 2.7 (NPNF II/8: 63–64).

439 St. Basil of Caesarea, Hexamaeron 3.10 (NPNF II/8:71).

440 St. Basil of Caesarea, Hexamaeron 3.9 (NPNF II/8:70–71).

441 St. Basil of Caesarea, Hexamaeron 5.1 (NPNF II/8:76).

Third: On the third day, the earth brought forth plants and trees that are spiritual, useful, and bring us joy. “If you see the grass of the fields, think of human nature, and remember the comparison of the wise Isaiah. ‘All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field’ (Isa. 40:6).”⁴⁴²

Fourth: We ask God to work the land of our inward selves and let it be covered with useful spiritual plants and trees.

Fifth: God created plants with diverse features and various fruits, so that every human being should glory in God’s gift without being envious or haughty towards others. Even poisonous plants have their benefits and purposes .

Sixth: St. Basil answers the question: why did God create poisonous plants along with the beneficial ones?

God created people and gave them a mind that can distinguish between what is useful and what is harmful. God gave the animals the instinct to eat what is nourishing, and not to eat what is deadly.

Some birds and animals eat these plants yet remain unharmed.

Humans use some of these dangerous plants for anesthesia and for the treatment of some incurable diseases.⁴⁴³

As believers, it is befitting for us to emulate certain plants: “Be ‘like a green olive tree in the house of God,’ (Ps. 52:8) never destitute of hope, but decked through faith with the bloom of salvation. Thus you will resemble the eternal verdure of this plant and will rival it in fruitfulness, if each day sees you giving abundantly in alms.”⁴⁴⁴

St. Basil the Great concludes his sermon on the creation of plants by saying, “nature, receiving the impulse of this first command, follows without interruption the course of ages, until the consummation of all things. Let us all hasten to attain to it, full of fruit and of good works; and thus, planted in the house of the Lord we shall flourish in the court of our God (cf. Ps. 92:13), in our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.”⁴⁴⁵