The saddest day on the Hebrew calendar begins Monday August 4, which is Tisha B’Av, (the 9th day of the month of Av), on the Hebrew calendar. Israel lost its central national shrine, the holy Temple, twice on this same day– 490 years apart! The cold-blooded murder of millions of Jews, their persecutions and pogroms, and their exile to the four corners of the world, are all mourned on Tisha B’Av. The Book of Lamentations is read.

Yet Zechariah the prophet predicted this day of mourning will be turned to joy and will be remembered no more!  Watchmen upon Jerusalem’s walls are living in special times of the restoration of all things. In this Bible teaching, Christine Darg catalogues calamities throughout Jewish history that happened on this day, beginning with the evil report of the 10 Spies in the Torah. She also offers perspective on the current Gaza crisis, which began in 2006 when Jews were tragically uprooted from Gush Katif in Gaza on Tisha B’av.

Intercessors, pray believing prayers according to Zechariah 8:19, This is what the LORD Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”