They are several passages in the Old Testament that illustrate the Biblical symbolism of the threshing floor. One of the most prominent references to the the threshing floor is the experience of David in the second Book of Samuel.
2 So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, “Go now through all the tribes of Israel . . . and conduct a census of the people, so that I may know the number of the people.” 3 But Joab said to the king, “May the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as there are, and let the eyes of my lord the king see it; but why does my lord the king want to do this thing?” 2 Samuel 24:2-3
David’s demand for a census was motivated by a shift in his faith away from dependence on God. He began to rely on his own strength, acting presumptuously out of his own initiative rather than maintaining an attitude of humility and obedience to God’s guidance. This is similar to the parable of Jesus in Matthew about the wise and foolish builders.
24 “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell – and great and complete was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27
The world is filled with inevitable tragedy and suffering.
“we all stumble and sin in many ways.” James 3:2.
Abiding in close relationship with the Lord is the only way we overcome all the distresses and difficulties that life throws at us.
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
When the census was complete, David realised his mistake and turned back to God in repentance.
10 But David’s heart (conscience) troubled him after he had counted the people. David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the sin of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” 2 Samuel 24: 10
However, David’s actions still led to tragic consequences.
16 When the [avenging] angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the disaster and said to the angel who destroyed the people, “It is enough! Now relax your hand.” And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he spoke to the Lord and said, “Behold, I [alone] am the one who has sinned and done wrong; but these sheep (people of Israel), what have they done [to deserve this]? Please let Your hand be [only] against me and my father’s house (family). 18 Then Gad [the prophet] came to David that day and said to him, “Go up, set up an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite [where you saw the angel].” 19 So David went up according to Gad’s word, as the Lord commanded. 2 Samuel 24:16-19
25 David built an altar to the Lord there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So, the Lord was moved [to compassion] by [David’s] prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.”2 Samuel 24:25
It was also at the threshing floor that the terrible tide of tragedy began to turn. Judgement and destruction were superseded by repentance and restoration when David offered the burnt offerings and peace offerings, symbolic of the sacrificial price paid by the Lamb for our redemption.
The threshing floor appeared to represent a turning point from judgement to redemption. It was later chosen by God as the location for the temple, the place where His presence and glory were to be manifested, bringing blessing to the whole nation.
In the place of judgement at the threshing floor, where the wheat was separated from the chaff, the sacrifices made by David symbolised the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb, paying the price for our redemption and opening the way for us to enter into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies.
In his description of Christ the Lamb, John the Baptist alluded to the threshing floor as a metaphor of judgment where the wheat was separated from the chaff.
12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:12
Centuries previously, in a prophetic illustration of the coming of Jesus, the threshing floor was also mentioned as the location where Ruth met Boaz. Ruth was a woman struggling with loss after the tragic death of her husband. She went to the threshing floor to wait for Boaz and when he arrived, she lay down at his feet in a demonstration of humility and supplication. Her interaction with him represents the promised redemption of the Bride by Christ as the Bridegroom.
In the same way, when our lives have been broken by tragedy, we are given the opportunity to come to Jesus and receive His promise of redemption, restoration and provision.
In this context, the threshing floor as the place of judgement where the wheat was separated from the chaff, became a place of redemption and divine provision when Boaz declared his intention to redeem Ruth and care for her as his wife.
12 . . . I am your close relative and redeemer . . . 13 Spend the night [here] . . . as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.” 14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but got up before anyone could recognize another; Boaz said, “Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor [last night].” 15 He also said, “Give me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” So Ruth held it and he measured out six measures of barley [into it] and placed it on her.” Ruth 3:12-15
The tapestry of life is interlaced with threads of terrible tragedy and suffering, yet God’s redemptive power can transform even the most horrific situations, weaving them into a pattern of ultimate good.