The rise of agriculture (Genesis 2:4-9)

Finally, we get to the Garden of Eden and the first named people, Adam and Eve.

Prior to that, we see something very interesting.  Before Adam appears, verses 4-6 state that there were no "plant" or "shrub" in the "field".  We saw the rise of plants on Day  Three of Creation Week (1:11-13).  So, what is this?  

On one hand, if we view Genesis 2 generally as a retelling of Genesis 1, but with a stronger emphasis on the role of mankind, then perhaps 2:4-6 cover the situation on Day Three.  I think that is a fair interpretation.

Alternatively, 2:4-6 could cover the rise of agricultural, I.e., field plants.  The text emphasizes that these are "field" plants and verse 6 further links this concept to man working the ground.  There was no man to "work the ground", so God's solution was to have springs of water emerge from the ground and the create man in verse 7.  Finally, in verse 8, we see that God "had planted" a Garden, named Eden.  The concept of "Garden" inherently requires agriculture.

Looking back at Genesis 1, do we consider these events straddling the Creation Week?  We have a separate creation account, so what to do with them?

I think it generally is commonly accepted that the events of Genesis 2 straddle Genesis 1.  However, if we take them as separate distinct events, we get a sense of God's re-creative abilities.  God can not only only create once, but can recreate creation to match the needs of man.  This opens up an interesting perspective and possibilities about nature.  

First, nature is not "static", but rather there is a flux.  This actually is confirmed in science, including evolution on any level (micro evolution and macro evolution).  Likewise, we see both a destruction and creation of new species today.  From what I remember in my ecology classes, the background rate for both is about 1/1,000,000 species a year.  Meaning that for every 1,000,000 species, one species goes extinct and one species is formed each year.  The net natural rate is on balance, but although humanity has upset the balance.

Second, far more practically speaking, we can go to God for help in environmental problems and despoliation of the planet.  If God created once and recreated again to fit man's needs, then we today can go to God for help with nature.

This latter function of recreation and restoration is something that is strongly emphasized throughout the Bible.  In Ezekiel 37:1-14, we see the valley of dry bones come to life.  In Joel 2:25, God promises to repay the years that the locusts have eaten.

In the New Testament, Jesus provides living waters (John 4:13-14) and brings the dead to life (Lazarus, John 11:38-44; the open tombs, Matthew 27:52-53).