Through disobedience to God, Adam and Eve had lost Eden, and because of sin the whole earth was cursed. But if God's people followed His instruction, their land would be restored to fertility and beauty. God Himself gave them directions in regard to the culture of the soil, and they were to co-operate with Him in its restoration. Thus the whole land, under God's control, would become an object lesson of spiritual truth. As in obedience to His natural laws the earth should produce its treasures, so in obedience to His moral law the hearts of the people were to reflect the attributes of His character. Even the heathen would recognize the superiority of those who served and worshiped the living God.

Adam og Eva havde mistet deres hjem i Edens Have ved ulydighed mod Gud, og hele jorden var blevet forbandet på grund af synden, men dersom Guds folk ville følge hans undervisning, ville deres land få sin frugtbarhed og skønhed tilbage. Gud selv gav dem anvisning med hensyn til jordens dyrkning, og de skulle samarbejde med ham i at forbedre den. På denne måde ville hele landet under Guds ledelse blive en anskuelsesundervisning i åndelige sandheder Ligesom jorden ville frembringe sine rigdomme i lydighed mod naturlovene, således skulle folkets hjerter i lydighed mod moralloven genspejle hans karakters egenskaber Selv hedningerne ville anerkende deres overlegenhed, som tjente og tilbad den levende Gud.