Yesterday, the Jewish people commemorated Yom Kippur. We tapped into a video from several days ago showing the Western Wall plaza so crowded the police had to close the gates. True, that isn’t the first time that has happened, but it gives us a sense of just how much Israel longs for her Messiah.

Today’s video may be even more amazing. In this Israeli concert, thousands and thousands of people are singing straight from Lamentations 5:21:

Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored;
Renew our days as of old.

The song is all in Hebrew, but the words spoken at the 1:40 mark are translated into English. Not only are they singing a passage from their Tanach (Bible), but the words spoken provide a glimpse into the mindset at this concert.

Amazingly, I don’t believe this group is Messianic. First, Hanan Ben Ari is one of several Israeli musicians finding a niche in “religious” music, yet there is never a mention of a relationship with Jesus, or him being Messianic. Secondly, the size of the gathering is much larger than a Messianic gathering. Third, the set doesn’t align itself with a typical worship setting.

Yet, that makes it all the more intriguing as you see the longing and passion of secular Jews singing Scripture, inviting the Lord to turn them back to Him and restore them. I can’t imagine a secular group in my country singing with such passion, asking the Lord to restore them…and I bet you can’t either! The Spirit of God is moving in Israel!

Check it out:

“Hashivenu” is Hebrew, meaning “bring us back.” These are people hungry for the presence of God. May their eyes and hearts be open during this solemn season, and may they turn to their Messiah in repentance.