Tisha B’Av: Standing in Solidarity with the Nation of Israel
This year, as we prepare for Tisha B’Av I took a moment to review previous posts we have shared during this infamous season in times past. As I studied these notes, the Lord began to bring to mind the many doors of opportunity he has opened in order that Curt Landry Ministries might be a voice for the Jewish people, and their beloved nation, Israel. This is humbling to say the least.
Tisha B’Av—the day of commemoration of the destruction of the First and Second Temples—begins the evening of August 13th and ends the following evening on August 14th.
Join me, as I take a sobering look at notes past, evaluating the importance of observing this somber day of fasting and prayer.
During this time we as Believer’s in Christ have the unique opportunity to not only remember Jewish history, but also to examine our hearts and minds so that we do not, in fact, repeat the tragic events of the past.
The Jewish observance of Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of Av (the fifth month of the Hebraic calendar), is traditionally an annual day of fasting and repentance, and is often referred to as “the saddest day in Jewish history.”
Tisha B’Av is regarded as a day when Jews from around the world commemorate the destruction of both the First and Second Temples (655 years apart) in Jerusalem—a date which marks many of the worst tragedies in Israel’s history, both past and present.
Ohr Somayach Institutions (www.ohr.edu) compiled this list, documenting the tragic historical significance of Tisha B’Av:
- 2448/1312 BC – Spies return from 40 days in Israel with evil reports of the Land of Israel. Jewish people cry in despair, give up hope of entering the Land of Israel.
- 3340/421 BC – Destruction of First Temple by the Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezar. About 100,000 Jews killed during invasion. Exile of remaining tribes in southern kingdom to Babylon and Persia.
- 3830/70 AD – Destruction of Second Temple by Romans, under Titus. Over 2,500,000 Jews die as a result of war, famine and disease. Over 1,000,000 Jews exiled to all parts of the Roman Empire. Over 100,000 Jews sold as slaves by Romans. Jews killed and tortured in gladiatorial “games” and pagan celebrations.
- 3892/132 AD – Bar Kochba revolt crushed. Betar destroyed – over 100,000 killed.
- 3893/133 AD – Turnus Rufus ploughs site of Temple. Romans build pagan city of Aelia Capitolina on site of Jerusalem.
- 4855/1095 AD – First Crusade declared by Pope Urban II. 10,000 Jews killed in first month of Crusade. Crusades bring death and destruction to thousands of Jews, totally obliterate many communities in Rhineland and France.
- 5050/1290 AD – Expulsion of Jews from England, accompanied by pogroms and confiscation of books and property.
- 5252/1492 AD – Inquisition in Spain and Portugal culminates in the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. Families separated, many die by drowning, massive loss of property.
- 5674/1914 AD – Britain and Russia declare war on Germany. First World War begins. First World War issues unresolved, ultimately causing Second World War and Holocaust. 75% of all Jews in war zones. Jews in armies of all sides – 120,000 Jewish casualties in armies. Over 400 pogroms immediately following war in Hungary, Ukraine, Poland and Russia.
- 5702/1942 AD – Deportations from Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp begin.
- 5749/1989 AD – Iraq walks out of talks with Kuwait.
- 5754/1994 AD – The deadly bombing the building of the AMIA (the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina), which killed 86 people and wounded some 300 others.
- 5765/2005 AD – Gush Katif expulsion [my addition].
Demonic powers have left a distinctive mark on Israel’s history during this season. However, I believe that instead of the Body of Messiah expecting the worse, we need to awaken to our preemptive prophetic power and authority to dismantle these demonic cycles.
As you can see, a negative history tries to repeat itself time and again during this season, and more particularly, on this day. However, as intercessors and prophets, I believe that the Lord is calling us to awaken to the arrival of Tisha B’Av. If we are spiritually aware of the history surrounding this day, we can walk in humble repentance and declare the Lord’s protection in advance in order to prevent further destruction. The Lord is calling us to be educated! He is calling us to Awaken! And with this awakening we can break the evil cycles of the enemy. We are being called to repent as Jewish and Gentile Believers in Yeshua—as the One New Man.
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”—Acts 17:24
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are .Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”—1 Corinthians 3:16-18
Each year, during this time of fasting and prayer, we must ask ourselves these important questions: Are we making wise choices that honor our own personal temples as His abiding place? Are we honoring the Body of Messiah—the Body of Christ—by walking in love rather than offense? Are we honoring Jerusalem by praying for her peace? And, most importantly… Are we honoring God, His Spirit, His Son—His Word who became flesh and dwelt among us?
King David expressed it best this way as he so humbly penned these words:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”—Psalm 139:23-24
“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.”—Psalm 137:5-6
“The LORD bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.”—Psalm 128:5
Now more than ever, the Body of Christ, must take a stand with Israel. If we do not, history, as they say, “is doomed to repeat itself.” Please join with us as we sow into the nation of Israel, in both prayer and financial support.