7/22/2026
"I called on Your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit.
You heard my plea: 'Do not close Your ears to
my cry for relief.'"
Lamentations 3:55-56
Tonight is the eve of the commemoration of Tish'a B'Av, the 9th day of the month of Av on the Jewish calendar, the day on which the temples were destroyed in Jerusalem. The first temple built by Solomon was destroy by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 70 C.E. It is a day of mourning and grief remembering when the temple that housed the ark of the covenant, the Presence of God, was destroyed. It was also a day in history marking other horrible events in Jewish history over the years.
Before the destruction of the temple, this days is a reminder of the twelve spies sent by Moses into the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, to scout out the country when ten of the twelve spies came back and gave a negative report causing the people to fall into disbelief. This resulted in the death of these ten spies and the death of the generation who revolted against God who punished them making them wander through the wilderness for 40 years.
After the destruction of both temples as noted above, the Romans ended the Bar Kochba revolt and destroyed the city of Betar killing over 500,000 Jews. In 135 CE following the Bar Kochba revolt the Temple site and the surrounding area of the Temple was plowed under. Recently, archeologists discovered burned structures which may have been part of the Temple.
According to a report Tisha B'Av included mourning for several other horrible events happening at this time which include the Spanish inquisition, the Holocaust, the expulsion of Jews from European countries, as well as other cruel and unjust happenings in Jewish history. The book of Lamentations is read during this time of grieving.
The people of Israel have weathered so many storms since God chose Abraham to be the father of the nation of Israel and the nations. Since they became a nation in 1948 the warfare has never ceased, going back to the beginning of the blood libel between Isaac and Ishmael. For 1020 days since 10/7/2023 when Hamas attacked and viciously murdered innocent civilians including men, women, children, and babies, intercessors have stood with Israel as watchmen on the wall praying for the peace of Jerusalem and an end to this time of war and horror. The people have endured so much suffering through the loss of loved ones and waiting for the return of family members who were held captive, the last one released after 843 days, deceased Master Sargent Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police special forces officer who fought bravely and was killed on 10/7/2023 and his body taken captive into Gaza and held. But the grief and the suffering continue for all concerned.
Many of the soldiers have been on active duty since that first day, with little time off to be with their families. They love their country, and this is their duty to protect their country from harm. Many who have been injured during this time are still receiving treatment and many suffer mental trauma, as do those who were held hostage. Finally after all this time the stories are being told, so that healing can begin.
The people of Israel are resilient people, many who believe in God and hold fast to the teachings and promises in Torah. They are a very close-knit people who continue to go on, living their lives, even when they are running into bomb shelters several times a day, for several hours a day or longer. They rejoice when their is a time to rejoice, and their grieve for one another. It has been my privilege and my joy to serve these special people in prayer.
So today and tomorrow we once more grieve, fast, and pray with them as they remember and as they hope for the future that is certain to come. We also pray for the salvation of the people who have not yet received Jesus Christ as Messiah, but who wait for His coming. What a glorious day it will be when they discover that He already came, and He is coming again soon. Then there will be no more pain, no more tears and suffering. O what a wonderful day that will be!
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