Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av, A Day of Mourning, Fasting and Hope. Why is this day important? Many Jewish people and other believers in Jesus undertake a 25 hour fast and read the Book of Lamentations on this day in order to remember. On the Ninth of Av, the first Temple of God built by King Solomon was destroyed by Babylonians in 586 B.C., and the second Temple of God was destroyed in 70 A.D. bythe Romans. Since then, there has not been another Temple established in Jerusalem for the Jewish people. This year, 2019, August 10 at sundown to August 11 sundown marks the remembrance of these events. Israel finished their fasting for Tisha B'Av at around 1 pm today. They are 7 hours ahead of us. In the U.S. the fast will end at a little after 8 pm, sundown. Other events remembered include the Jews being expelled from England in 1290 on the 9th of Av, expelled from Spain in 1492 on the 9th of Av, both World Wars beginning on the 9th of Av and other sad, tragic events.
Although it is a day of mourning and repentance, it is also a day of looking forward. Many await on this day also for the rebuilding of the Third Temple (spiritual, not physical) that shall be built. I Corinthians 3:16 says "Do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells within you?" Haggai 2:9 "And the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place, I will give peace, declares the Lord of Hosts." Ephesians 2:20-22 Says, " And (they, we) are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: in Whom ye also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." This last temple will last forever. It is the Temple that Jesus builds "without human hands". With all the sadness, there is great Hope (Tikvah). God is doing a new thing and we, Jewish and Gentile Believers together in Jesus, are His everlasting Temple. When Jesus returns for His Bride, He will dwell with us forever in His Temple made by Him. Hallelujah!!!
(Picture of temple stones thrown down by the Romans in 70 A.D., June 2018).
Comments