David at the threshing floor of Ornan

1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24

This story of David on the threshing floor of Ornan is recorded twice in scripture and I believe it holds some deep spiritual truths if we are to be determined to live a life that honours God.

The first point I want to make is that David, we read, was a “man after God’s own heart” Acts 13:22. He was a man, who despite all his failings, only longed for and pursued God.

Here in 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24 we have a story that shows us that even though our intentions may be good our actions can determine a course that can be to the detriment of many and can cause great sorrow, not just to those around us but also to our own lives and ultimately to our own spiritual detriment and if left unheeded will leave us in a place that lacks the fullness of God in our lives. What we will learn is that unless we come onto Gods appointed ground with absolute and undeniable repentance there can be and will not be any real hope.

So lets begin, David had been enjoying great success in his kingdom, God had been with him in battles and the enemies of Israel and ultimately God, (the Jews being Gods chosen people on earth for Him to be made manifest), were being put to flight. I think it is important for me to say at this point that I do not condone wars and I do not believe that “holy wars” are or ever were Gods intention. Gods intention is always to bring His people out of bondage into freedom. Which is always spiritual and some times physical. If we read our bible carefully and in context we find that God was with the children of Israel in order for them to be the example and serve as an illustration and the means for His plan of salvation which He always intends for the whole world. They were Gods chosen people in order for Him to work out His plan of salvation for the whole world.

The first thing to note is that both passages start with “AND” denoting that these chapters are a continuation of a story not a new one or an isolated one. We have recorded in the preceding chapters snippets of Gods greatness toward David who God used to stabilise Israel. In 2 Samuel 23 we can read that David acknowledged that it was God who was supreme and in 1 Chronicles 19-20, although it was ruthless, the children of Israel were very much kept by Almighty God. In 1 Chronicles 19:13 Joab, the seer, said “let the Lord do that which is good in His sight” showing complete trust in an almighty God. These wars and killings were all about survival not about greed or wealth or land, they were purely about Gods people claiming freedom from oppression in order for them to be able to prove that their God was a live and vibrant God who delighted in granting His people life that glorified Him. And so it is today, God wants you and me to slay sin in order that He can free us from oppression and glorify Him. His worked out plan of salvation is for all to enjoy and for all to experience by faith.

So back to our story after a little explanation of “AND”.

We are told that “Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel” 1 Chronicles 21:1 and in 2 Samuel 24:1 “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and he moved David against them to say Go number Israel and Judah”

Why was it such a bad thing to know how many subjects you have? The answer is two fold:-

The promise that God gave to Abraham was that his descendants would be as many as the dust of the earth, in other words they cannot be numbered.

When a king or ruler sets out to number their subjects it is always to bring about control and checks in order for them to be able to rule and exhort tax. It is a means of control.

So to number Israel and Judah were, in effect, to limit God and so make void His promise to Abraham.

The moment that David recognised or to be more precise the moment when God convicted David of his “sin”, David acknowledges by saying “I have done a foolish thing” 1 Chronicles 21:8 or “I have done a foolish thing” 2 Samuel 24:10. If at any time we feel or experience conviction of wrong it is always of God and we would do well to heed to the conviction because, rest assured, God wants to work a wonderful work of grace in our lives and He can only do that if we recognise and repent of the sin.

As we continue to read we find in the next verse 1 Chronicles 21:9 and 2 Samuel 24:11 that God mobilises the seer or prophet Gad to confront David with three choices. What is important here is that true repentance will always have a cost and in this story the cost was that of human life on account of David’s “sin”, actually if we read the story carefully we find that God was displeased with the nation of Israel and David was the instrument that God chose to use to bring them to their knees. God always works through spiritual leadership in order to bring about His plan of repentance so that the whole company can participate in His plan of the reversal of the consequence of sin in order that His created beings be renewed and re-aligned to His original plan of companions and worshippers. Human life that was created in the image and likeness of invisible God.

What is interesting is that Gad, the seer, gave David three choices that were all costly to the nation of Israel and would result in death. David, although asked to choose one option, declined and chose none of them but instead said “let me fall into the hands of the Lord for His mercy is very great” It is always better to let God decide our fate because His mercy endures, He is a just and fair God.

A plague is duly sent and 70000 people die and David helplessly watches as people and families suffer because of his sin. We read that the anger and wrath of God were so great that the almighty sent an angel of death to destroy Jerusalem, the very heart and power house of David’s kingdom. Note unless God deals with the heart there can never be renewal. But we read “God relented” and caused the angel to stay the execution and we read he stopped over the threshing floor of Ornan, between heaven and earth.

David recognises it is he who has sinned and pleads with God to hold him accountable, notice here also that the leaders and elders are also identifying with David and had put on sackcloth and join him in being prostrate on their knees before almighty God. We all have to recognise and own up to our sin and we read that David is now talking directly with God 1 Chronicles 21:17. Basically what David was saying was this is all my doing let me bear the consequences of my actions. This is an important lesson for all of us because, whilst Christ died once for all sin, individually we have to recognise that we have sinned or strayed and return to God with a heart that is ready to receive Gods forgiveness we can never fully enter into all that God has for us. Life is a life given by God to enjoy His creation for this season of eternity, lets not waste it.

David acknowledges and the subsequent demonstration of prostrate worship led him to the inherent need within him to build an alter, a memorial, a place of remembrance. It is important to lay down memorials in our lives when God intervenes in our lives so we never forget, with the passing of time, what lessons we learnt and more importantly, what God has done in our lives when we have acknowledged Him to be Lord of our lives. We have to be willing to move onto Gods appointed ground. In our story David moved onto the appointed place of a threshing floor, I am sure David felt that he had been threshed and left useless, but the necessity of threshing wheat or corn is a necessary process in order to separate the life of the grain from the deadness of the stalk.

The point of this part of the story is that we all need to move onto Gods appointed ground in order for us to be able to offer the acceptable sacrifice and honourable worship. When we, like David, recognise that we have strayed and sinned against Almighty God there has to be this inner spiritual working of God where He leads us onto His appointed ground of repentance. True repentance will always cost us, the work of repentance always requires us to accept and acknowledge our part in the redemptive work of salvation. Even though “Christ died once for all” we must be willing to identify and recognise the cost of repentance.

David insists that he is to purchase the site, the threshing floor, in order for him to appropriately offer his sacrifice and worship in order for the Lord to stay the execution. Note here that Ornan was prepared to give the site and the oxen for the sacrifice but David insists that he is to purchase it by saying in 1 Chronicles 21:24 “I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing”. In exactly the same way our repentance will always have a cost and unless we are prepared to make that purchase and come onto Gods appointed place for us in order for us to offer a sacrifice and worship Him as He desires us too then we will never be able to possess all that He has for us in life. He created us to worship and live a life that glorifies Him, a life that is made possible through faith in Him, a life that has been set free from the bondage and slavery to sin to a life that enjoys abundance and freedom. A life that is made possible by a God who is overall and in all.

Are we prepared to acknowledge our failings, come onto Gods appointed ground, however hard and costly that might be, in order for us to be cleansed and purified so that our lives honour and give glory to God. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a writer like Dr Luke could write of us “They were men and women after Gods own heart”.

Ruth 4

Now it is at this point in the story that we encounter a little bit of a twist. Boaz informs Ruth that yes he is a close relative but in fact there is a closer relative and it falls to him to have first option to redeem Ruth. Boaz, being the gracious man that he was, says that he would intercede on her behalf and see if this closer relative is willing to perform the task. In the meantime Boaz graciously keeps her safe and in the morning sends her on her way with a large amount of grain, in fact the measure used is considerably larger than indicated in The New International Version or other modern translations where it is referred to as just a measure or scoop. The older translations refer to an old measure called an ephah. An ephah is actually equivalent to approximately 24kg or 24 bags of flour. Boaz gave Ruth 6 ephahs, that is 6 x24 = 144 kg. What this demonstrates is that Boaz was extremely generous and gives us an insight into the heart of God where Grace truly abounds.

So who is this 'closer relative?' I would like to suggest that it is 'the law', it is what we call the ten commandments. These were given by God to Moses in order to set out a way of life for the Jews, Gods chosen people, so that, if adhered to,  they would enjoy a life free of strife and trouble. The trouble is the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Paul refers to being free from indwelling sin in Romans 8:1-4 where he talks about there being no condemnation to those who are in Christ and how the law of the spirit of Christ has made us free from the law of sin and death. He goes on to say that what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh. He condemned sin in the flesh that the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

So back to our story, Boaz recognises that there is someone who is a closer relative to Ruth and knows that he has to be given a chance of redeeming. What we find as we read through this story is that this closer relative is willing to acquire the land and material possessions of Elimalech but unable to commit to the responsibility of taking on Ruth. What this demonstrates is that a life lived in 'the flesh' or lived without God and His saving Grace is unable to fulfill and keep the law. This story shows a higher way and serves to indicate that “by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8 kjv

Ruth was 'saved' or redeemed by Grace and was established into the house of Boaz and gave birth to a son called Obed who in turn fathered a son called Jesse, who in turn fathered a son called David, who later became the king of Israel and who was described as 'the friend of God'. I think this little story of a young women in a foreign land and a mans world shows us that life is not lost by circumstances but actually gained through Grace, the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who offered Himself on a cross so we could be free from the power of sin and death.

Ruth 3

In chapter Ruth 3 we start to see a development in our story. Naomi has been the one who has cared for Ruth, you could say that she discipled her and walked with her on the road of discovery, the discovery of the redeemer, the person who is able to set her free from her past and give her opportunities that previously were just not possible. Ruth has been on a journey that has taken her from a life of obscurity and emptiness to a life that now appears full of opportunities, security and blessing. This young girl from a foreign land has taken a risk and trusted in the God of Naomi, the God of the Israelites, the true and living God, the God who answers by fire yet speaks in the still small voice, and now finds herself in a position where she is experiencing the graciousness of a man who is able to offer her a better life, a life that is beyond an existence and subsistence to a life of purpose and wealth beyond her wildest dreams.
As we read on we actually find that to embrace the 'new life' was not without it's risks and not without it's sacrifice. Our life with Christ will always involve a cost, the question is are we prepared to travel the road that Ruth did to enjoy all that our Redeemer offers?
Let's look at 'this road', this risk that Ruth took to claim her rightful inheritance, the inheritance that was hers by right. The same could be said of our spiritual journey, we need to claim the spiritual inheritance that is rightfully ours through Jesus our Redeemer.
The first thing that Ruth is asked to do is to cleanse herself and make herself ready for her encounter with her redeemer. She washes, puts on fresh clothes and perfume and sets out to the threshing floor. The threshing floor is a place where men work hard and play hard, this is not the place for a virtuous women yet we find that Ruth was prepared to put herself at risk to gain the notice of this great man Boaz. Naomi instructs Ruth to wait in the shadows until Boaz has eaten and then to take notice of where he lies down then to go and lie at his feet Ruth 3: 4, where, Naomi says "he will tell you what you are to do next". Sometimes in our Christian experience we just have to go and lie at the feet of our Redeemer and wait for our Saviour to speak the words that empower us into the next phase of our experience. Ruth follows Naomi's advice and lies at Boaz's feet. At around midnight Boaz wakes up and is surprised to see someone at his feet, he asks "who are you?"  Ruth 3: 9. Jesus asked a similar question of the man possessed by many demons in Mark 5: 9 he asks "what is your name? " Our Redeemer will always want to know our name and will require that we honestly describe ourselves and we have to answer truthfully like Ruth and the demon possessed man who both acknowledged who they were. One was called Legion, for he said "we are many" and the other said "I am your servant". Ruth then makes a request of Boaz, she utters the words "cover me with the corner of your blanket" or as the New King James version says "take me under your wing." What Ruth was saying was I belong to you, you are a close relative, you are my kinsman redeemer, I am willing to be counted as one of your family regardless of what others will say about me. Remember, Ruth had really taken a risk to find and know this man Boaz, this kinsman redeemer and she was not going to let anything get in the way. What makes this story even more remarkable is that Ruth, a very beautiful, young girl could have gone after younger men, men of considerable means, wealth and materialism but as acknowledged by Boaz in Ruth 3:10 she is praised for showing more kindness at the end than at the beginning. Boaz recognises her tenacity, commitment and desire to do what was right and comforts her with the words “do not be afraid, I will do all that you request.” Ruth 3:11.

Ruth 2

The story of Ruth is very specific, it tells us that Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem in late spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest. In chapter 2 we are introduced to a wealthy and influential man, a 'close relative', "the kinsman redeemer". a near relative of Naomi's husband, a man, it turns out, who is able to offer "a new life" for Ruth a life free from her past, a life that would present new opportunities and a life of security for her and Naomi. The kinsman redeemer was basically a male who had the responsibility or privilege of acting on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger or need. The Hebrew term (goel) for kinsman-redeemer designates one who delivers or rescues. In a spiritual sense we all need to have someone who is able to offer us "new life" a life that frees us from our past', we know that to be Jesus our redeemer who was willing to pay the ultimate price for our redemption.

Ruth at this point in the story is still demonstrating dedication, commitment and service to Naomi. We find that Ruth shows a willingness to find food and provide for Naomi her mother-in-law, so she sets out to gather grain and her this willingness to seek leads her to find a field of the wealthy and influential man, the man she has been told about by Naomi, the man who she will come to know and who eventually will provide for her and give her security. This willingness to seek, serve and ultimately find is found in all disciples of Jesus. It is in our seeking and in our service that we find our provision and security that only Jesus can provide.

What do we know about this man Boaz?

1. He notices her Ruth 2:5 and gives her permission to gather grain in his field Ruth 2:8
2. He encourages her to follow his workers. Ruth 2:8.
3. He gives protection and offers water that others have drawn Ruth 2:9.
4. He knows all about her, her unreserved commitment to Naomi Ruth 2:11.
5. He invites her to dine with him and provides more than she is able to eat Ruth 2:12.
6. He is so generous he issues an instruction to his young men to allow her to stay and gather Ruth 2:16 -17.

So he is generous, loving, fair, reliable, secure, wise and without prejudice. This story gives us two different scenarios. On the one hand it tells us about a man who is able to save, protect and provide and on the other hand it tells us about a man who is committed to the development and support of others through his workers. Ruth the Moabitess, a girl in a foreign land, determines to seek out the one who is the 'close relative', "the kinsman redeemer". I wonder if we do the same, determined to seek our "kinsman redeemer" in a way like Ruth did?

Ruth 1

In a society where women were owned and where their status was measured by how much dowry was paid we have a story that demonstrates tenacity against the odds of women in a man's world. This is also a story about redemption and restoration, a story where honour, value and self worth are re-kindled and where hope and new life are born. Our story begins with a man who has taken his wife and family away from security and famine in search of food and a better life. For a while this appears to work, the two sons marry but then disaster strikes, our man dies then his two sons leaving three women alone, vulnerably and with out a provider in a man's world.

The matriarch among them is called Naomi and she decides that she would have a better chance of survival in her own home town of Bethlehem. She says to her daughter-in-laws "you go back to your families and your people and find security there." What we find is that one daughter-in-law returns and one demonstrates a whole hearted commitment, dedication and determination to stay with Naomi, indicating to her daughter-in-law that throughout the time they had known each other Naomi had demonstrated something worth pursuing. I think it is true to say that most of us start our "faith journeys" because of what others share with us, or show us. The young girl, Ruth by name, utters words that we ourselves would find hard to utter, she says "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Where you go I will go, wherever you live I will live, your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us." What this shows us is that Ruth had recognised something in Naomi that she wanted, needed or was prepared to commit too. Do our lives demonstrate qualities that others want or need ? Do they say " Oh I wish I was like you ? " We could draw a parallel here and say that this is often the first step of discipleship and commitment to God through Jesus by the Spirit. Our story continues as Naomi reluctantly agrees to Ruth accompanying her back to her home town, back to a life of possible uncertainties yet potentially a life of new opportunities.