The 3 week period between Tammuz 17 and Av 9 (Tisha B’Av) are called ‘bein haMetzarim’, aka Between the Straits, Dire Straits. Lamentations 1:3, “Judah has gone into captivity, under affliction and hard servitude; she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest; all her persecutors overtake her in dire straits.” Fear is strong during these 21 days because of the historical events connected with these two dates.
- Av 9 this year will be July 21 (7/21/18), begins at sundown July 20. Because this falls on a Shabbat, the 25 hour fast of the 5th Month (Zechariah 8:19) will be on Sunday, July 22 (Sundown July 21-sundown July 22)
The three months of Tammuz, Av & Elul are the most challenging months for Israel. History repeatedly has shown that if anything tragic is going to happen to Israel it will happen in the months of Tammuz & Av. These three summer months heat up both naturally and spiritually. The kingdom of this world is fighting against God’s plans and promises for Israel. The beginning 9 days of Av will continue prayerful struggle through Dire Straits, ending with the fast of Tisha B’Av, leading to the Love Dance of Tu B’Av on the 15th.
Av is the month that the 12 spies returned from the Promised Land, 10 with an evil report (Fake News) and Joshua and Caleb believing God was bigger than the giants of the land. Av is a month to hear, believe and proclaim the greatness of our God. Everyday the news will be speaking fear, but it is the time for the Church to speak faith and overcome all fear. It is high time to believe the report of the Lord!
Here are some historical events connected with the 9th day of Av
- Av 9, 1312 BC; 10 of the 12 spies brought back an evil report and Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report. Because the nation of Israel chose to believe the evil report they were not allowed into the Promised land for 40 years. (Nu 13)
- Av 9, 586 BC; Solomon’s Temple was destroyed (Jer 39)
- Av 9, 70 AD; Herod’s Temple was destroyed
- Av 9, 132 AD; Bar Kochba revolt crushed. Betar destroyed over 100,000 Jews (3rd Jewish-Roman War)
- Av 9, 133 AD; Turnus Rufus ploughs site of Temple. Romand build pagan city of Aelia Capitolina on site of Jerusalem
- Av 9, 1095 AD; First Crusade against the Jews declared by Pope Urban II. 10,000 Jews killed in the first month of the crusade
- Av 9, 1290 AD; Expulsion of Jews from England, accompanied by pogroms and confiscation of books and property
- Av 9, 1492 AD; King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled all Jews from Spain and Portugal. The last boat of Jews was beside Columbus’s ship waiting for the tide to set sail. I believe at this time the mandate to bring the gospel to the world changed hands from Sapin to the new America.
- Av 9, 1914; First World War begins- Britain and Russia declare war on Germany.
- Av 9, 1942; Deportation from Warsaw Ghetto to Treblinka Concentration camp and killings begin
- Av 9, 1989; Iraq walks out of talks with Kuwait setting stage for the Gulf Wars
- Av 9, 1994; The deadly bombing of the building of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina killed 86 people and wounded some 300 others
- Av 9, 1994– Shoemaker Levi Comet broke into 21 pieces and began to bombard the planet Jupiter, which represents King David and Israel
- Av 9, 1994- Meeting were taking place in Oslo, Norway regarding ‘land for peace’, Oslo Accords
Av 9 is a fasting day listed in Zechariah 8:19. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.” Feast Days were appointed by God, but these Fast Days are appointed by man. These fasts centered on themselves, not sorrow for sin, but sorrow for their loss. God is promising them that these days of fasting in fear and mourning will become days of gladness and joy.
Psalm 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”
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