Mysterious Disasters on the Ninth day of Av!

Tisha b’Av – ninth day of the month of Av.

The Jewish month of Av coincides with July and August. Tisha B’Av, literally means “the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av.”

Mysterious and profound disasters happened on this date throughout the centuries.  There are different theories as to why, from God’s divine judgment upon Israel, to His sovereign order and rule of the universe, to the mysterious meanings of Hebrew letters, words, and calendar.  Below is a list of some of the events that happened on the ninth day of Av.

1. The spies returned with a bad report (Numbers 13).
2. Both Temples were destroyed (586 BC; 70AD).
3. The Bar Kokhba Revolt, the last Jewish stronghold, called Bethar, fell on the Ninth of Av, 135 AD.
4. One year later, the Roman Emperor Hadrian set up a heathen temple on the site of the former Jewish Temple, and rebuilt Jerusalem as a pagan city and refused Jews to enter the Holy City.
5. The First Crusades in 1096 which led to the destruction of Jewish communities in France and along the Rhine River.
6. Jews were expelled from England in 1290. (Recently, the Church of England apologized to UK Jews – 800 years later ).
7. Also, on the Ninth of Av, 1492, the Christian rulers of Spain expelled all the Jews from the land who lived there for centuries.
8. World War II, the Holocaust, historians conclude, was the continuation of World War I that began in 1914. And yes, amazingly enough, Germany declared war on Russia, thus starting the First World War into motion, on the ninth of Av, Tisha b’Av.
9. SS Commander Heinrich Himmler moved forward with the “Final Solution” which led to the destruction of one third of World Jewry and the murder of six million Jews, 1941.

There is Hope  

This is not a time to simply reflect on the tragedies, but to be reminded that we should go forward to do what the Lord commands us to do.  We need to pray for the coming of the Messiah, and work towards justice and peace. The vision of the prophet Isaiah, tells us that the day will come when, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation nor learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4).

The Lord will comfort His people (Isaiah 52:9); and He will make Jerusalem a delight and bless them in profound ways (Isaiah 60:15; 65:18,19).

God Restores and Forgives

If a person, church, city, or nation confesses their sins and returns to God, He will forgive, restore and heal (2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 John 1:9).

Pray with our Jewish friends during this time of reflection.  Pray that God will draw their hearts to Him.

We continue to stand with, and to pray for Israel during these last days.  On one hand, Israel will experience more difficult days ahead. On the other hand, we are promised that Israel will experience, in this day a “remnant” who will believe (Romans 11:5). 

You help us reach this remnant, in the name of Messiah Jesus, by providing thousands of meals which lends itself to segue to conversations about the Messiah.

Your faithful generosity, during these busy summer months, is needed now more than ever.

Ask God what He would have you give to bless His ancient people Israel.  Then faithfully and generously give with a joyful heart knowing that God will use your gifts to bless Israel, the “Apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8).

Shalom and Blessings,

Until He comes, we are

Together Under His Wings,

Dr. Jeff

Israel Today Podcast:  http://drjeff.libsyn.com

Leave a Legacy!  Put Israel Today Ministries in your will.  “This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD” (Psalm 102:18).