The Ninth of Av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar; it marks the day of the ten spies’ negative report, the destruction of the First and Second Temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE, and many other adverse events in Jewish history. Do you remember when Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492? That coincided with the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.
What does this have to do with us Christians? The Crusades began in 1096 on the ninth of AV. On the Shabbat, after Tisha B’Av (the ninth of Av), Isaiah 40:1-26 is read. It begins with these words, “Comfort and keep comforting my people,” says your God. 2 “Tell Yerushalayim to take heart; proclaim to her that she has completed her time of service, that her guilt has been paid off, that she has received at the hand of Adonai double for all her sins.” 3 A voice cries out: “Clear a road through the desert for Adonai! Level a highway in the ‘Aravah for our God! 4 Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill lowered, the bumpy places made level and the crags become a plain. 5 Then the glory of Adonai will be revealed; all humankind together will see it, for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.” (CJB).
While it is a day of sadness, it is also followed by the joy of the promise of restoration. As Christians, we should join with our Jewish brothers and sisters and mourn the tragedies of the day throughout the years as well as pray for the fulfillment of Amos chapter nine.
Amos 9:11-15 CJB “When that day comes, I will raise up the fallen sukkah of David. I will close up its gaps, raise up its ruins and rebuild it as it used to be, 12 so that Isra’el can possess what is left of Edom and of all the nations bearing my name,” says Adonai, who is doing this. 13 “The days will come,” says Adonai, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the one treading grapes the one sowing seed. Sweet wine will drip down the mountains, and all the hills will flow with it. 14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Isra’el; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities; they will plant vineyards and drink their wine, cultivate gardens and eat their fruit. 15 I will plant them on their own soil, no more to be uprooted from their land, which I gave them,” says Adonai your God.”
Let us join in the fast from sundown tonight to sundown tomorrow (July 26-27, 2023); let us mourn the tragedies, repent of antisemitism in Church history, and believe for the promise of Amos chapter nine and Zechariah chapter eight.
It is customary to read the book of Lamentations on the ninth of AV, forgo Torah study, and only read of tragedy, and spend the day in inward reflection, knowing the joy of the next Shabbat is coming and, ultimately, the Third Temple and reign of Messiah.
“This word of Adonai-Tzva’ot came to me: 19 “Adonai-Tzva’ot says, ‘The fast days of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months are to become times of joy, gladness and cheer for the house of Y’hudah. Therefore, love truth and peace.’ 20 “Adonai-Tzva’ot says, ‘In the future, peoples and inhabitants of many cities will come; 21 the inhabitants of one city will travel to another and say, “We must go to ask Adonai’s favor and consult Adonai-Tzva’ot. I’ll go too.” 22 Yes, many peoples and powerful nations will come to consult Adonai-Tzva’ot in Yerushalayim and to ask Adonai’s favor.’ 23 Adonai-Tzva’ot says, ‘When that time comes, ten men will take hold — speaking all the languages of the nations — will grab hold of the cloak of a Jew and say, “We want to go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.”’”
Zechariah 8:18-23 CJB
Casey D. Bell 
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