What happened at the threshing floor in 1 Chronicles 21:18-26?

In 1 Chronicles 21:18-26, we encounter a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, a moment that intertwines divine judgment, repentance, and divine mercy. This passage revolves around the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, a location that becomes a site of significant spiritual importance for King David and the nation of Israel.

To understand the events at the threshing floor, we must first consider the context leading up to this passage. In 1 Chronicles 21, David, incited by Satan, orders a census of Israel. This action displeases God, as it reflects David's reliance on military strength rather than on the Lord. As a consequence, God sends the prophet Gad to offer David three choices for punishment: three years of famine, three months of defeat by his enemies, or three days of plague. David chooses the plague, falling into the hands of God, whose mercy he trusts more than the caprices of men.

The plague devastates Israel, and as the angel of the Lord is about to destroy Jerusalem, God relents and commands the angel to stop. This moment of divine mercy occurs at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. God instructs David through Gad to build an altar at this site to offer sacrifices, thereby halting the plague.

David immediately obeys. He approaches Ornan, who is threshing wheat, and requests to buy the threshing floor at its full price to build an altar to the Lord. Ornan generously offers the site, along with oxen for burnt offerings, threshing sledges for wood, and wheat for the grain offering, all for free. However, David insists on paying the full price, declaring, "I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing" (1 Chronicles 21:24, ESV). This statement underscores a profound principle of worship: true sacrifice involves personal cost and commitment.

David purchases the threshing floor for six hundred shekels of gold and builds an altar there. He offers burnt offerings and peace offerings, and calls upon the Lord. God answers by sending fire from heaven to consume the offerings, signifying His acceptance. The site of the threshing floor, thus, becomes a place of divine encounter and transformation.

This event is rich with theological and spiritual significance. Firstly, it highlights the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance. David's census was an act of pride and self-reliance, and the ensuing plague was a direct consequence of this sin. However, David's response—acknowledging his sin, seeking God's mercy, and obeying His command to build an altar—demonstrates the path to restoration.

Secondly, the threshing floor of Ornan becomes a symbol of God's mercy and grace. Despite the severity of the plague, God's command to cease the destruction and His acceptance of David's sacrifice illustrate His willingness to forgive and restore. This site, where judgment was averted, later becomes the location for Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1), the central place of worship for Israel, further cementing its spiritual significance.

Moreover, David's insistence on paying the full price for the threshing floor teaches us about the nature of true worship. Worship that costs us nothing is empty; genuine worship requires sacrifice. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, reminding us that our offerings to God—whether they be time, resources, or devotion—should reflect our love and reverence for Him.

The narrative also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as David's sacrifice at the threshing floor halted the plague, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross halts the plague of sin for all who believe in Him. The fire from heaven that consumed David's offerings prefigures the divine acceptance of Christ's atoning work, which brings reconciliation between God and humanity.

In addition, this passage emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's instructions. David's obedience in building the altar and offering sacrifices as commanded by God was crucial in stopping the plague. This obedience is a model for believers, illustrating that following God's directives, even when difficult or costly, leads to His favor and blessings.

Furthermore, the transformation of the threshing floor into a holy site demonstrates how God can redeem and sanctify places and situations marred by sin. What began as a place of judgment became a place of worship and divine presence. This transformation is a powerful reminder of God's redemptive power in our lives, capable of turning our failures and sins into opportunities for His grace and glory to be revealed.

The story of the threshing floor in 1 Chronicles 21:18-26 is a profound narrative that encapsulates themes of sin, repentance, divine mercy, and true worship. It serves as a reminder of the gravity of sin, the necessity of genuine repentance, and the boundless mercy of God. It also teaches us about the cost of true worship and the importance of obedience to God's commands. Ultimately, it points us to the redemptive work of Christ, who transforms places of judgment into places of grace and sanctification. This passage, therefore, holds enduring relevance and spiritual lessons for believers, encouraging us to seek God's mercy, offer true worship, and trust in His redemptive power.