Av is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar, and it is considered the most tragic month in Jewish history. On the Ninth of Av, both the First and the Second Temple in Jerusalem were destroyed. Jewish tradition adds that also on that day, the ten spies brought the evil report about the land, saying they would not be able to conquer it.
Tisha be-av, or the 9th of Av, is the most significant date in the month of Av and it marks the culmination of three weeks of mourning which started in the previous month on 17th Tammuz. 9th of Av is a fast day, the book of Lamentations is read in the synagogues, and the nation reflects on the causes of these tragedies.
The Biblical record describing the destruction of the First Temple by Nebuchadnezzar is found in Jeremiah 52:12-14.
And now a contrast: the period immediately following Tisha be-av and continuing for seven weeks into the month of Elul is called the “seven weeks of comfort”, and some Jews use the name “Menachem Av” for that latter part of the month. The word “Av” means “Father”, and “Menachem Av” means “Consoling father”. Menachem in Hebrew is a variant of the word “Nachamu”, which appears in Isaiah 40:1 – “nachamu ami”, comfort my people. Interestingly, there is in Jewish tradition a strong connection between Tisha be-av and this passage from Isaiah. The Shabbat following 9th of Av is called Shabbat Nachamu and as a Haftara, the portion of Isaiah 40 is read. The Jewish sages have said that the reason for the repetition of the word “nachamu, nachamu ami” in Isaiah 40:1 is to offer consolation for each of the two destroyed Temples. God is the Father and He comforts His chosen people. Mercy triumphs over judgement – that is the ultimate message of the month of Av.
This is of particular importance to the ICEJ for “nachamu, nachamu ami” has been the leading verse for our ministry from the beginning. It is good to know that in Jewish tradition, the verse is closely connected to Tisha be-av and to the idea of God consoling His people after a great tragedy.
The subject of comfort is important in the Bible, and not only in the Tanach: Paul speaks of comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
God the Father – Av – is called the Father of Mercies – “Av ha rachamim” - and God of all comfort – “Elohei kol ha-nechama”. This is the same concept as in “nachamu ami”. God comforts in times of trouble. Tribulation and comfort go hand in hand. And here we learn an important message: the source of this consolation is the suffering of Christ. We can be comforted because Christ suffered for us.
The same holds for the people of Israel. When they suffered throughout history, Yeshua suffered with them. And they can be comforted today because the Messiah is the source of comfort. This truth will be revealed to them one day, and we, by comforting Israel, pave the way.
So, it turns out that this business of comforting Israel is not just some humanitarian effort. It is deeply spiritual, and in fact it cannot be done without Jesus. The Greek translation in the Septuagint of Isaiah 40:1 – “comfort my people, says your God” is “parakaleite ton laon mou”. The word for “comfort” has the same root as the word “Parakletos”, the “Comforter”, which is used in the New Testament for the Holy Spirit.
It follows that such act of comfort is Divine activity, it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The “Parakletos” is the one doing the comforting. It is more than mere human effort. When God says in Isaiah 40 “comfort ye my people”, it means that God gave us, Gentile believers, the ministry of comfort, which is the very characteristics of the Holy Spirit. We cannot comfort Israel outside of the Holy Spirit.
God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort has given us the ministry of comfort to Israel. He has given us His Comforter who dwells in us and guides us. The world does not know him and cannot accept him but He is stronger and He brings judgement over the ruler of this world. There will be conflict and suffering but God will also comfort us so that we may comfort Israel.
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