Zecheriah 8:1-9 CSB “The word of the LORD of Armies came: 2 The LORD of Armies says this: “I am extremely jealous for Zion; I am jealous for her with great wrath.” 3 The LORD says this: “I will return to Zion and live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the LORD of Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.” 4 The LORD of Armies says this: “Old men and women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of advanced age. 5 The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in them.” 6 The LORD of Armies says this: “Though it may seem impossible to the remnant of this people in those days, should it also seem impossible to me? ” — this is the declaration of the LORD of Armies. 7 The LORD of Armies says this: “I will save my people from the land of the east and the land of the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.” 9 The LORD of Armies says this: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words that the prophets spoke when the foundations were laid for the rebuilding of the temple, the house of the LORD of Armies.”
Tomorrow is the Fast of Tummuz and the beginning of the three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples. If you’re wondering why I am writing about this, the above passage is the answer. The Temple is very special to God. The Messiah will reign from the Temple in Jerusalem. Isaiah sixty through sixty-six deals with the End of Days, Jerusalem, the Jewish people, and those in the nations who follow the God of Israel.
As a follower of Jesus, I will be fasting tomorrow, and I will mourn with the Jewish people during these next three weeks. The destruction of both temples is a sad thing, but it is also a reminder that a third temple will be established.
I will link some articles at the bottom that detail the fast and the three weeks of mourning. What is on my heart today is when Jesus said, when you have done it unto these my brothers. The Jewish people are Jesus’s brothers. We are told to weep with those who weep.
After the attack on October 7, 2023, my heart has gone out to the Jewish people more than ever before. Seeing the waves of anti-semitism breaks my heart. But even worse for me is seeing Christian people and pastors talk about how the nation of Israel has nothing to do with the Bible and that the Jews are no longer God’s people.
These coming three weeks cause me to mourn the loss of the Jewish roots in the Church; I’m saddened by the fact many Christians dismiss the Temple and the Laws of God. Tomorrow, I will fast, and I hope many Christians will join God’s people. Let us all cry out for the Messiah to come.
Samuel Wearp has written a devotional guide for the three weeks titled The Dire Straights of Redemption. It is a 21-day journey to transform Jewish and Christian relations. You can get it by Wednesday or Thursday and easily catch up on the daily entries.
I know this has been an unusual post, but this is one of those times I can’t seem to get what’s on my heart into a post. Please see the resources linked below if you would like to learn more about the fast and the three weeks.
Resources
The Fast of Tammuz – Chabad.org
Casey D. Bell 
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