The Saddest Day in the History of the Jewish People
Tisha B’AV / 9 AV
Updated: 9 AV 5782 / 5-6 August 2022
Tisha B’Av falls on Sabbath this year, so religious Jews will commemorate it on 10 Av, which begins at sunset tonight (6 August 2022). (As a side note, this extremely sad day is, again, a particularly bittersweet day for me personally, because the birthday of my dearly beloved Husband, who is no longer with us in this world, fell on the 9th of AV 5782.) This message was posted last year, but the Truth is still very relevant for To-day, and always!
On this Day (9 AV 5781 / 17-18 July 2021) the Jewish people commemorate the destruction of their beloved Temples in Jerusalem, which is preceded by a three-week period of mourning, beginning on 17 Tammuz 5781/ 26-27 June 2021. Other tragedies have befallen the Jews on this memorable Day, and it is considered the saddest Day in the History of the Jewish people!
When you think about what the Temple represented for the Jewish nation—it was as if their lifeline to Almighty God was gone. When the temples were destroyed, their access to God was cut off, and they could no longer communicate with Him.
In a very small way, I can understand how God’s people felt when their line of communication with Him was abruptly ended. I recently lost a dear sister, and the hardest part is knowing I can no longer communicate with her. I have been left with such an overwhelming sadness, and it is so ironic that her death would occur during the commemoration of this time of great sadness for the Jewish people.
However, there will come a Day when the Jewish people, as a nation, will be in even greater mourning and sadness when they realize they rejected the Messiah of Israel, who is Jesus, the Son of the living God! Please reflect on this passage from a prophet of God.
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
I have found that God uses Biblical events in history to help me to understand Him, and I would like to share an excerpt from my book, “Walking With the Enemy,” so you may understand my perspective. I pray my testimony will cause you to draw closer to God too!
Excerpt from the Preface to “Walking With the Enemy: A Testimony,” by C. Read
“Since my “translation” from darkness into His glorious light, I see that dates and events are important to God, despite the fact that my enemy tried to get me to believe otherwise. Looking back, I see how significant they really are.
The Ninth of Av (5759), aka Tisha B’Av, became very meaningful for me in the course of writing this book. According to tradition, the enemies of Israel destroyed both of the Jewish temples in Jerusalem on the ninth day of Av. Reportedly, the first temple was burned down by the Babylonians in the year 586 BC, and the second temple was completely destroyed by the Roman Army, under the command of Titus, during the Jewish revolt in 70 AD.
These temples represented God’s presence in the midst of His chosen people, but praise God, we don’t need a man-made building for our heavenly Father to reveal Himself to us today. And if you will allow the Lord God to purify your heart, He may choose to make His habitation with you! But it can only happen through Emmanuel, the Messiah of Israel.
We are at a turning point in this battle for the souls of men, and it won’t be long before Jesus “will swallow up death in victory!” Praise the precious name of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ—the Anointed One!
If you happen to find out that you are on the wrong side, my sincere hope and prayer for you is that this testimony will encourage you to get on the side of the Lord, while there is still time. And if you are one who is truly seeking God with all your heart, my most earnest prayer for you is that you will come away from here with more of a love and a deeper appreciation for God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit of the Most High God!”
End of Excerpt from “Walking With the Enemy: A Testimony,” by C. Read.
My Dearest Friend and fellow servant of the Most High God;
Indeed, dates and events are important to our Heavenly Father! The Bible and history tell of so many significant events about the chosen People of God, Israel. If they only remain faithful to Him, they should have recognized their Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ!
I also can say that like you, I can understand this sadness in a very small way… last Thursday, a sister of my disciple, a “Timothy” who followed my footstep to become a Pastor, also died due to covid19…he watched her sister being wrapped by plastic like ice candy, and was buried in a 10 feet whole dug by a backhoe just less than 12 hours after her death…no funeral services; no goodbyes; no singing; and they can only see her more than 50 meters away…my heart still grieves for our Sister (your Sister) up to this another Sister- she is the librarian of our Bible School… 🙁
Death indeed is separation… But praise God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ He overcame death, and He is able to make us alive and live forever together with HIM and our loved ones who have gone before us in that glorious day of HIS appearing! To God be the glory!
Once again, Thank you very much for your faithfulness in sharing these significant dates and events, that keep us well reminded and strengthened, along with your Testimony that always challenges us to keep ourselves close into the TRUE LIGHT in Jesus!
May the Lord continue to strengthen you and bless you and comfort you along with your Sister’s Family.
Take care and always be strong in the Lord and in the Power of HIS might!
Prayer Partner in the love of Jesus;
pastor arnie