Summary: Tisha B’Av, Jerusalem, the World, & God’s Word

(pronounced tee sha b’ahv)

- For 2009 is July 29

Ps 48:1-8 - Joy of God found in Jerusalem

- Note Ps 48:8

Zechariah 12:2-3KJV

2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

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To most Christians, hearing the words September 11th strikes a chord of sadness, grief, and other painful emotions,

- Jerusalem has no natural harbor.

- It isn’t a gateway city.

- It isn’t situated astride any major trade route.

- It’s not a banking or industrial or commercial or medical or hi-tech center.

- It has no natural resources.

- It’s too hilly for an airport

- It doesn’t command any strategic high ground.

- It has nothing except for the fact the God chose it for Himself.

- Today the world dictates how it should be

- Temple Mount has been closed off in the past on Tisha B’Av

AFP (American Free Press)

Obama’s administration have repeated demands that the Jewish state stop all settlement activity in the occupied West Bank including annexed east Jerusalem.

- Arutz Sheva (Israel National News)

- 250 Israeli Rabbis Sign Letter to Obama: “Hands off Jerusalem”

- Jerusalem Eastern part becoming the capitol of a future Palestinian state

- Jerusalem must never be divided again

- The Jerusalem Post

"We’re concerned that in the end, the Temple Mount will be part of a Palestinian state, with US backing," Gershon Salomon (The founder and leader of the Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement) said. "We will say to [US President Barack] Obama, ’Get your hands off Jerusalem and the land of Israel!"

...Should I weep in the fifth month [Av], separating myself, as I have done these so many years? -Zechariah 7:3

-II Kings 25:8-9

In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month ...came Nebuzaradan ... and he burnt the house of the LORD...

Jeremiah 52:12-13

In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month... came Nebuzaradan ... and he burnt the house of the L)RD... -

Talmud. (Jewish rabbinic literature)

Five misfortunes befell our fathers ... on the ninth of Av. ...On the ninth of Av it was decreed that our fathers should not enter the [Promised] Land, the Temple was destroyed the first and second time, Bethar was captured and the city [Jerusalem] was ploughed up. -Mishnah Ta’anit 4:6

Tisha B’Av - The Hebrew day of great tragedies

Tisha B’Av means "the ninth (day) of Av." It usually occurs during August.

Tisha B’Av - This Jewish Remembrance Day is primarily meant to commemorate the destruction of the Temple,

1. In 586 BC, the First Temple (built by Solomon) was destroyed by the Babylonians. One hundred thousand

Jews perished, and millions were exiled.

2. In 70 AD, the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. Again many Jews died and

many were exiled. This destruction was prophesied by Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) in Matthew 24:2.

3. In 135 AD, the Jewish Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. A stronghold of over

100,000 Jews was slaughtered.

4. In 1290, an official decree was signed, expelling all of the Jewish people from England.

5. In 1492, the large Jewish community in Spain was expelled from the country.

7. in I942, the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto were mass deported to the Treblinka extermination camp in Poland.

8. Jewish tradition, this was the day that God told the Children of Israel they were prohibited from entering the Promised Land because of disbelief.

Tisha B’Av. From the first to the ninth of Av, it is customary to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine and from wearing new clothing. Jews avoid washing or enjoying entertainment like music or movies

In synagogue, the book of Lamentations is read and mourning prayers are recited. The ark (cabinet where the Torah is kept) is draped in black.

It is also linked with Israel’s glorious destiny

Zechariah 8:19-22KJV

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. 20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. 22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

Isaiah 66:10KJV

10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

Our Responsibility

Psalm 122:6-9KJV

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.