INTRODUCTION: In the Hebrew (ecclesiastical) calendar, the fifth month is the 30-day month of Av. The month of Av (אָב) is a significant month in the biblical/Hebrew calendar, rich with prophetic and devotional themes. The name “Av” means “father” in Hebrew. Av is also known as a month of paradox: sorrow and consolation. Biblically, the fifth is the place of triumphing over limitations and troubles Iin the flesh or in the body. Av usually falls in July–August on the Gregorian calendar. Generally, when you think of Av, place it in the heart of summer (July–August) in the Gregorian calendar. The Ninth of Av (Tisha B’Av): Traditionally remembered as the darkest day in Jewish history. Several calamities occurred on this date: The Israelites’ unbelief at the report of the 10 spies (Numbers 13–14), leading to 40 years of wandering; The destruction of Solomon’s Temple (586 BC) and the Second Temple (70 AD); and other tragic events in Jewish history (expulsions, persecutions, etc.). This makes Av a month of reflection on sin, judgment, and national outrage
BIBLICAL PATTERNS FOR THE FIFTH MONTH: Biblical patterns for understanding the fifth month are the fifth day of creation narrative, the fifth book and chapters of the Bible, the Bible books and chapters corresponding to the weeks and days in the month; and Bible passages mentioning the fifth month.
The 5th Month is a fifth day of creation month. On the fifth day of creation, God made the sea creatures and birds of the air. That day was the beginning of flesh and blood, movement, voice sounds, sensory perception, and blessings in God’s creation. The fifth month is a season of new beginnings. God’s will, in this season, is for people to enjoy and express life to the full; but the evil one fights to hinder full expression of life. He throws death, disease, distress, and all manner of limiting circumstances at people in this season. He gets people to be dominated by the flesh instead of walking in the spirit. He wants the fish in them (flesh) to fly above; and bird in them (spirit) to swim beneath. This is a season to unshackle your spirit from the dominion of the flesh. This is a month of deliverance from death, disease, oppression, and scarcity.
The fifth month is a Book of Deuteronomy month. Going through the fifth month of the year is like taking a prophetic journey through the fifth book of the Bible. The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is applicable to the fifth month of the year. In the fifth book of the Bible (Deuteronomy), God emphasized obedience to His voice. The book opens with a review of Israel’s journey through the wilderness. God did not want Israel to forget Him when they enter the Promised Land and begin to enjoy the blessings and prosper. In the fifth book, God tied blessings to obedience and curses to disobedience. Alignment with God is key to enjoying His blessings in the fifth month. The fifth chapters of the Bible are also applicable to the fifth month
The fifth month of the year is a fifth-seven-books-of-the-Bible month. Going through the fifth month is like going through the fifth seven books of the Bible (Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, and Habakkuk). In these books, God’s people suffered because of rebellion against. The book sought to awaken the people to righteousness or judgment. The central theme of the fifth seven books is returning to righteousness and justice. The books are about obedience and repentance. The fifth month is a time to gain spiritual perspective concerning issues in our lives. It is a time to dig into the spiritual foundation of things happening to us or around us. It is a season to seek God concerning issues in our lives.
BIBLE PASSAGES MENTIONING THE FIFTH MONTH
The Bible reveals the following five things about the fifth month:
1. It is for executing the judgment of the Lord.
2. It is both the end of journey and arrival time
3. It is a season when fleshly manifestation is costly
4. It is a season of uncovering and exposing evil secrets.
5. It is a season of fasting to keep the flesh under.
1. A TIME TO EXECUTE THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD
Numbers 33:38-39: Then Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of the LORD, and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month. [39] Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.
2 Kings 25:8-10: And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. [9] He burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. [10] And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.
Jeremiah 52:12-14: Now in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. [13] He burned the house of the LORD and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. [14] And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all around.
2. THE FIFTH IS THE END OF THE JOURNEY. IT’S ARRIVAL MONTH. IT’S WELCOME MONTH.
Ezra 7:8-9: And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. [9] On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
Jeremiah 1:1-3: The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, [2] to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. [3] It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
3. THE MONTH OF DANGEROUS FLESHLY MANIFESTATIONS
Jeremiah 28:1-4, 15-17: And it happened in the same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, who was from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, [2] “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. [3] Within two full years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the LORD’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. [4] And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah who went to Babylon,’ says the LORD, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’” [15] Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Hear now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie. [16] Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will cast you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have taught rebellion against the LORD.’” [17] So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
4. THE FIFTH MONTH IS WHEN EVIL SECRETS ARE EXPOSED
Ezekiel 20:1-4: It came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me. [2] Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, [3] “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Have you come to inquire of Me? As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will not be inquired of by you.”‘ [4] Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Then make known to them the abominations of their fathers.
5. THE FIFTH MONTH IS A MONTH OF FASTING
Zechariah 7:3-5: and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” [4] Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, [5] “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me-for Me?
SPRRITUAL LESSONS FROM AV
- It is a time to go from fear to faith: The story of the 12 spies reminds us that listening to the voice of fear instead of the voice of faith can delay God’s promises. (Numbers 13–14). Where has fear or unbelief kept you from stepping into God’s promises?
- It is a time to go from Mourning to Comfort: The prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 8:19) speaks of fasts turning into seasons of joy. Av begins with mourning but ends with comfort. The Shabbat after Tisha B’Av is called Shabbat Nachamu (“Sabbath of Comfort”), based on Isaiah 40:1 – “Comfort, comfort My people, says your God.” This speaks of hope beyond suffering, reminding us that God’s purposes always end in redemption. Av reminds us that God can turn sorrow into consolation. In what areas of your life do you need to believe for comfort after mourning?
- It is a season of the Father’s Discipline: Since Av means father, this month is a reminder that God disciplines His children out of love (Hebrews 12:6–7). His correction is a step toward restoration, not rejection. How can you embrace God’s loving correction as a Father this season?
PRAYERS FOR THE FIFTH MONTH\
1. Pray to be shielded or delivered from attacks of the enemy. Pray also to subdue evil attackers in this season.
2. Pray for increased sensitivity in the spirit that makes it difficult for he enemy to hide and escape detection.
3. Pray for grace to be relentless in prayer, intercession, and communion with God.
4. Pray for grace to be relentless in declaring God’s word and your faith in Him.
5. Pray for wisdom in waging the wars that will arise or break out in the month.
Say this Prayer:
“Father, in this month of Av, teach me to walk by faith and not by fear. Heal every place of mourning in my life and turn it into joy. Thank You that as a loving Father, You discipline me only to restore me. Help me to receive Your comfort and to live in the hope of redemption, through Jesus Christ. Amen.”
