This year the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av begins at sundown on August 1 and ends at sundown on August 2. Called the fast of Tisha B’Av, this Jewish fasting day commemorates the destruction of both Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It also remembers other tragic events in Jewish history that took place on the Ninth of Av. So it is a time of fasting and mourning over what has transpired on this specific day.

Av is the fifth month of the ecclesiastical year, so the fast of Tisha B’Av is included in the months of fasting that will become times of “joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah” (Zechariah 8:19).[1] The Jews have commemorated this day for over two thousand years for all the tragedies that have occurred. But it is going to turn into a time of great delight. The nations will return, not with sword and spear to destroy Jerusalem and the Jewish people, but to go up to the house of the Lord and seek God together with them (Zechariah 8:22–23).

So we turn loose our faith to comfort God’s people and to speak kindly to Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:1). We remind them that it will not always be a time of fasting and mourning; it will not always be a time of remembering the devastation. Instead, it will be a time of introducing the blessing and the restoration of God. We will see the rebuilding of that which has been torn down.

Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham My friend,
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
“Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
You will seek those who quarrel with you,
but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel;
I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41:8–14)

Obviously, Israel has faced some traumatic times, especially since the event of October 7. They are still at war in Gaza and are on the verge of war with other countries around the region. It is so easy for them to anxiously look around. But we speak to Israel, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7). He will strengthen you and help you. He will uphold you with His mighty right hand. We believe with all our hearts that these things will happen quickly in the days ahead.

I encourage you to be a voice of comfort during this time of Tisha B’Av. Reach into the Scriptures about the restoration of Israel and prophesy them again with real faith. Here are some Scriptures to help you get started.

Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11

Isaiah 61:1–7

Jeremiah 30:15–20

Jeremiah 33:7–9

Ezekiel 39:25–29

Amos 9:13–15

Zechariah 8:18–23

Listen to this entire message: GIG208 The Fast of Tisha B’Av

[1] All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).