A sea of flags, people cheering, bursting into tears and hugging each other as it echoed through the large speakers: “He’s coming home.“
Around 65,000 people had come to Hostages’ Square to see something that no one had thought possible: hostages actually being released. Among many participants, skepticism prevailed until the last minute. “I would describe my state as a waiting attitude with anticipation,” one participant told me in an interview a few hours earlier.

Now, one by one, they are released. Columns of cars are shown on large LED video screens and images of the hostages are shown again and again. There are feeds of video calls with the released hostages. But Hamas fighters keep pushing themselves into the foreground so that the hostages are barely recognizable. It is the last gasp of their perfidious propaganda, an attempt to humiliate. But no one pays any attention. The joy and compassion are too great.

A mother cries and calls into the phone: “You, my son, are finally coming home. You’re finally coming home. I love you so much.” Tears are flowing everywhere. The people in the hostages’ square empathize, even though no one can really understand what the hostages and their families have been through.

An amused murmur goes through the rows when a man says: “I’m fine, don’t worry.” Physically and emotionally scarred, he speaks as if he has come from a long journey. But his thanks echo across the square: “I thank Elohim, I thank Elohim.” Then the Shma Yisrael resounds:
“Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.”

A moment you never forget. A moment in which my innermost being is touched. Yes, it is the Lord who has made this possible. He leads out of captivity. Later, I wonder whether the people here are aware of this.

A people remembers its faith

Over the past two years, I have repeatedly written about the awakening of faith in Israel. More and more people are finding their way back to living Judaism. There have been reports of how hostages have tried to celebrate Shabbat with the little they had – using a handkerchief as a kippah, leftover bread and some juice they had saved. Every man for himself, and yet connected.

Let’s jump back to 2023, when Israel was recognized internationally as one of the most popular countries. Israelis were considered hip and interesting. Food trends from the region were finding their way to Europe. The economy was booming. But there was a sense that faith hardly played a role. The people were as divided as the politics were divided. A life far removed from the Bible in the Holy Land.

Today, the picture is different. A people recognizes that it cannot simply go on living like this. Many are turning to God. Whether this is a flash in the pan or the beginning of a spiritual renewal remains to be seen.

Signs of the times

Those who see Israel through the eyes of the Bible recognize the signs of the times. In the face of global anti-Semitism, even once staunch Jews who never wanted to leave their country are considering whether they should emigrate to Israel. Despite the war and the conflict with Iran, many are making the journey. The constellation of those rallying against Israel is also remarkable and should prompt us to read chapters 38 and 39 in the book of Ezekiel.

The believers in Israel, especially the Messianic Jews, sense that a new era has dawned. Even if the weapons are silent at the moment, they know that this is not yet peace.

Human peace in this region remains distant. Israel will have to be vigilant and ready for action today and in the future. There will no longer be a time like 2023. The danger to the existence of the Holy Land is too great.

Grace in the here and now

Israel’s enemies have consolidated their position on the international stage. Some of them say what the West wants to hear. But they speak with forked tongues. Words are useless if their actions, even if they often remain hidden, speak a different language.

It is a clever tactic. Israel may appear internationally isolated, but regionally it has become a power that is both feared and respected, as the historian Michael Wolffsohn said a few days ago.

The reality is clear. We celebrate this moment and thank the Lord that hostages have been released. But we know it is not peace, and it can start again at any time.

How do you live as a believer in this time? Gratefully, here and now. After two years of terror, war and existential fear for life and limb, we know that it is a mercy that we still exist. It is a mercy that we are allowed to celebrate Shabbat services despite everything. Because in all of this, we have experienced time and again how faithful the Lord is, how he protects and preserves. With this trust, we continue into the next phase of Israel’s history.

About the author:
Benjamin Funk is a freelancer for amzi. He lives in the Galilee with his wife, Alexandra, and five children. As a married couple, they founded the Gilboa Passion Israel ministry