The Middle East conflict that broke out over two weeks ago did so on the first day of a twenty-one day time of fasting and mourning by the Jewish people. This time of fasting was in remembrance of the tragic events that happened to Israel during this time in their history. As noted last week, several events mark the beginning of the twenty-one day period. A number of events occurred on the 9th of Av [August 3] the last day of the twenty-one days that warrant fasting:
- On this day, the Twelve spies sent by Moses to observe the land of Canaan brought an "evil report" about the land
- Solomon's Temple (the First Temple) and the Kingdom of Judah were destroyed and the Judeans were sent into the Babylonian exile.
- The Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire in 70 A.D.
- Pope Urban II launched the Crusades in 1095.
- King Edward II signed a decree expelling Jews from England in 1290.
- The Talmud [book of Jewish law] was burned in 1242.
- The Alhambra decree was put into effect in 1492, leading to the Jewish expulsion from Spain.
- The First World War started in 1914.
- The first killings at the Treblinka death camp took place in 1942.
- Arab terrorists carry out the AMIA bombing by on July 18, 1994, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which killed 86 and wounded 120.
The worst [in my opinion] was last year when the Israeli government chose to expel thousands Jewish families from their homes in the Gaza Strip [at the urging of the U.S.] during the “Three Weeks” in a “land for peace” deal with Hamas. [We can see today what kind of “peace” that brought as rockets rain down on Israel from Gaza.] The original beginning date of August 15, 2005 fell on the 9th of Av but was changed to August 17 due to tremendous pressure from Jews the world over, horrified that the government of Israel would add to the list of their sufferings during this tragic period.
This three week moment on the Jewish calendar is a time God wants Israel to repent for their turning from Him to other gods and nations. One cannot help but wonder as tensions escalate in the Middle East, that once again God is trying to get Israel’s attention to turn back to Him.
As the time of fasting ends on the 9th of Av [August 3], pray for God’s hand of protection for Israel and may He bring confusion against her enemies.
All of this is a reminder of the fact that Jesus is coming soon!

