The Literal Meaning of Genesis (continued)
low follow an established order: the stars and other heavenly bodies shine, night follows day and day follows night, earth firmly established is washed and encircled by waters, air moves above it all around, trees and animals are generated and born, develop, grow old, and die; and so it is with everything else in nature that comes about by an interior, natural movement.
Of the voluntary working of Providence there are other signs: creatures are instructed and learn, fields are cultivated, societies are governed, the arts are practiced, and other activities go on both in the heavenly society and in this mortal society on earth; and the good are provided for even with the help of the wicked, though all unwittingly. In man himself the same twofold power of Providence is at work: first, there is the natural work of Providence in respect to the body, that is, in the movement by which it comes into being, develops, and grows old; and then there is the voluntary working of Providence in so far as provision is made for his food, his clothing, and his well-being. So, too, in the case of the soul: by nature it is provided that it lives and has sensation; by voluntary action it is provided that it acquires knowledge and lives in harmony.
18. In the case of a tree, the art of the husbandman works exteriorly to assist its internal development. Similarly in the case of man, in so far as his body is concerned, medicine is an external help for the intrinsic natural forces; and in so far as his soul is concerned, instruction coming from an external source contributes to the interior happiness of nature. What negligence is in cultivating a tree, that unconcern about healing is in respect of the body, and indifference about learning is in relation to the soul. A superfluity of water for a tree is like harmful food for a body or an inducement to evil for the soul.
Over all things, therefore, is God, who established all things and rules all things, who in His goodness created all substances and in His justice guides all wills. Why, then, do we depart from the truth if we assume that man was placed in Paradise with the understanding that he would till the land not in servile labor but with a spiritual pleasure befitting his dignity? What is more innocent than this work for those who are at leisure, and what more provocative of profound reflection for those who are wise?