ARTICLES

At 101 years old, Giulia has witnessed a lifetime of upheaval. Born in Tripoli, Libya, she still carries the memories of being forced from her childhood home during a time of violent political unrest. In the 1970s, she immigrated to Israel determined to rebuild her life. Though she now lives with dementia, the echoes of those early trials remain clear in her heart.

Giulia made her home in Bat Yam, settling into a modest top-floor apartment near the sea. But during the recent missile attacks targeting central Israel, her quiet neighborhood was shaken once again. One explosion detonated just hundreds of yards from her building, shattering windows and damaging her kitchen. Without a reinforced safe room in her apartment and unable to quickly reach the shelter below, Giulia was left frightened and exposed.

In that critical moment, caring friends like you stepped in.

Through the support of generous donors, CBN Israel quickly arranged for Giulia to be evacuated to a safer location. She received nourishing meals, groceries, and essential repairs to restore her damaged home. During her temporary relocation, Giulia found unexpected comfort. “It was difficult to leave my home,” she said, “but I loved seeing the beach every day. I don’t usually have that joy.”

Thanks to compassionate supporters, Giulia was soon able to return home with restored safety and renewed peace of mind.

Reflecting on the help she received, she shared, “The destruction in the city reminds us of what our country is facing. I’m so thankful for your help, especially coming from Christians far away. It is truly a blessing, and we send our blessings back to you.”

Through CBN Israel, you can help bring comfort and protection to elderly widows, Holocaust survivors, terror victims, and displaced families. Together, we can stand with Israel’s most vulnerable and provide hope in uncertain times.

Please join us in standing with the people of Israel in their time of need!

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By Stephen Faircloth

The Dead Sea is one of the most striking places in the land of Israel. Sitting more than 1,300 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point on earth. Fed by the Jordan River, its waters collect in a basin where nothing flows out. Under the heat of the desert sun, the water evaporates, leaving behind a heavy concentration of salt and minerals.

The Bible refers to it not as the Dead Sea, but as the Salt Sea or the Sea of the Arabah. These names reflect its defining characteristic. With salt levels far higher than any ocean, its waters cannot sustain normal life. Fish cannot survive there. Vegetation does not grow in its depths. It is a place marked by stillness and barrenness.

And yet, even here, life is not entirely absent.

Along its shores, fresh-water springs give rise to oases like En Gedi. In the midst of the harsh, dry landscape, palm trees grow, vegetation flourishes, and animals find refuge. Where fresh water touches the land, life appears. The contrast is powerful. Just steps away from lifeless waters, there is beauty and growth.

The Dead Sea also held value in the ancient world. Its salt was a precious resource, and bitumen rising to the surface was used for various purposes. Even in a place known for its barrenness, there was provision.

Scripture often uses this region as a picture. The surrounding wilderness, with its dry and desolate terrain, became a symbol of judgment, emptiness, and distance from God. Yet the prophets also spoke of transformation. Ezekiel envisioned a day when living water would flow, turning the salty sea fresh and bringing life where there had been none.

This is not just a vision of the land. It is a picture of what God does in our lives.

There are seasons when we feel like the Dead Sea. Dry. Stagnant. Overwhelmed by circumstances that seem to drain life rather than give it. We may feel as though nothing can grow; nothing can change.

But God specializes in bringing life to lifeless places.

Just as fresh water transforms the land around the Dead Sea, His presence brings renewal to our hearts. Where He flows, life follows. What seems beyond hope can be restored.

The Dead Sea reminds us that no place is too low, no condition too barren for God to work. Even in the lowest places, He is able to bring renewal and purpose.

The question is not whether God can bring life, but whether we will allow His living water to flow into the dry places of our lives.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3).

We live in a world where words flow constantly. With a few taps or a quick response, we can share our thoughts instantly and widely. Opinions are expressed without hesitation, and reactions often come faster than reflection. In such an environment, it becomes easy to speak quickly and consider the consequences later Yet Scripture calls us to something different.

The Bible consistently reminds us that our words carry weight. They are not empty or insignificant. They have the power to build up or tear down, to encourage or wound, to bring clarity or confusion. The book of Proverbs paints a clear contrast: the one who guards their mouth walks in wisdom, while the one who speaks carelessly invites trouble.

This is not simply about avoiding harm. It is about recognizing the responsibility we carry every time we speak. James offers a vivid picture when he describes the tongue as something small, yet capable of great impact. Like a spark that can ignite a fire, our words can set the course of relationships, shape environments, and influence lives. Once spoken, they cannot be taken back.

And still, how often do we use words without restraint?

Even those who desire to follow God can fall into patterns of careless speech. We may justify harsh words, cloak criticism in righteousness, or speak without considering how deeply our words may affect others. In doing so, we forget that our speech reflects the condition of our hearts.

To guard our mouths is not to remain silent in every situation. It is to speak with intention. It is choosing words that reflect truth, grace, and love. It is knowing when to speak and when to remain quiet. It is allowing God to shape not only what we say, but how and why we say it.

This kind of discipline requires surrender. It means inviting God into our daily conversations, our reactions, and even our thoughts before they become words. It means slowing down, listening more, and seeking to reflect Christ in every interaction.

Our relationship with God is not separate from how we speak to others. It is revealed through it. So the question is worth asking: are our words bringing life, or are they causing harm? Are we guarding what we say, or speaking without thought?

When we allow God to guide our speech, our words become instruments of life. They encourage, strengthen, and reflect His character to those around us. A guarded mouth is not a limitation. It is a pathway to wisdom and life.

PRAYER

Father, help us to guard our mouths and words. May we speak only life into the lives of others and our world. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Beha’alotecha (Numbers 8:1-12:16). Read on Shabbat, June 6, 2026 / 20 Sivan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, the Israelites remained in camp and did not set out; but when it lifted, they set out” (Numbers 9:22).

Parashat Beha’alotecha begins with the lighting of the menorah and continues with preparations for Israel’s journey through the wilderness. At the center of the portion stands a powerful image: the cloud of God’s presence resting over the Tabernacle. When the cloud remained, the people stayed where they were. When it moved, they followed. Their journey was not governed by personal preference or human timing but by attentiveness to God’s direction.

This dependence required patience. Sometimes the cloud remained only a short time. At other times it lingered for weeks, months, or even longer. The people could not predict when the next movement would come. They were called to trust that God’s timing was wiser than their own. The challenge was not merely to follow when God moved, but also to remain still when He did not.

The portion goes on to reveal how difficult this trust could be. Complaints arise among the people. Dissatisfaction grows. Instead of focusing on God’s provision, many begin longing for what they left behind in Egypt. Their hearts become restless even while God faithfully guides them. The contrast is striking. God’s presence remains constant, yet human contentment wavers.

The same struggle often appears in our own lives. We may eagerly seek God’s guidance when facing a decision but waiting can feel far more difficult than moving forward. When answers seem delayed or circumstances remain unchanged, frustration can take root. Beha’alotecha reminds us that God’s presence is not measured by activity. He is just as present in seasons of waiting as He is in seasons of change.

For some, this may be a time of transition. Doors are opening, opportunities are emerging, and God appears to be leading in a new direction. For others, the cloud seems to be standing still. Plans remain uncertain and prayers appear unanswered. Both situations require trust. Faith is found not only in stepping forward but also in remaining where God has placed us until He says otherwise.

As this Shabbat arrives, consider where God may be asking you to trust His timing. Resist the temptation to rush ahead or to grow discouraged in waiting. Instead, seek His presence above all else. The same God who guided Israel through the wilderness continues to lead His people today. When He moves, follow. When He asks you to wait, trust that He is still at work.

PRAYER
Lord, teach me to trust Your timing and follow Your leading. Give me patience when You call me to wait and courage when You call me to move. Help me rest in the assurance that Your presence is with me in every season. Amen.

Marina never imagined she would have to flee her home to protect her children. A Christian, she had moved to Israel from Belarus with her Jewish husband. But after enduring years of abuse in her marriage, the situation became unbearable. That’s when she made the courageous decision to leave with her two children and seek safety.

Their first refuge was a women’s shelter. Although it offered protection, Marina remembers how difficult and depressing that season was. The shelter was a reminder of the trauma they had escaped. “I wouldn’t have made it without God,” she shared, recalling how her faith carried her through moments when she felt ready to give up.

Eventually, Marina and her children were able to rent a small apartment in Bat Yam, a city near Tel Aviv. They were deeply grateful to have their own place, but it was completely empty except for two mattresses. The rooms felt cold and unfinished, and the family had no savings to purchase beds, tables, and other items. “Furniture is a basic necessity,” Marina commented. “Without it, life feels unstable.”

Despite the emptiness around them, Marina and her children continued to pray, trusting that they would not be forgotten.

After hearing about CBN Israel through her church, Marina reached out for help. Because of compassionate friends like you, CBN Israel responded quickly. Caring donors provided essential furniture, transforming the empty apartment into a cozy home. When the new furnishings arrived, her children were filled with joy, and Marina said it felt like a holiday.

Today, what was once a bare space has been filled with warmth and color. Your gifts to CBN Israel can help restore dignity and stability to single mothers, refugees, and vulnerable families across Israel.

Please join us in helping to create safe, hopeful futures for those rebuilding their lives.

By Stephen Faircloth

“When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb… and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb” (Matthew 27:5-60).

For many readers of the Bible, the details surrounding Jesus’ burial draw both curiosity and wonder. The Gospels tell us that He was placed in a new tomb, one in which no one had yet been laid. While they do not describe every feature of that tomb, archaeology and history help us understand the world in which this moment took place.

In the first century, Jewish burial practices followed patterns shaped by faith, tradition, and reverence for the dead. Tombs were typically carved into the soft limestone hills surrounding Jerusalem. These were not simple graves, but family burial chambers, used over time by generations.

The most common type of tomb included narrow recesses cut into the rock, where bodies were laid to rest. These chambers were often low and dim, requiring a person to stoop as they entered. Inside, the stillness and quiet spoke of both finality and hope, a place where the body rested as families remembered their loved ones.

After a period of time, when only bones remained, they were carefully gathered and placed into small stone boxes known as ossuaries. These were often inscribed with names, sometimes simply scratched into the surface by family members in the dim light of the tomb. Even in death, there was care, identity, and remembrance.

Another type of tomb, less common and more costly, included carved benches with arched ceilings. These provided space for the body to be laid in a more open setting within the chamber. The Gospel accounts suggest that Jesus was buried in a new tomb of this kind, prepared but unused, set apart for a moment that would change history.

Understanding these burial customs brings the story of Jesus’ death into sharper focus. He was placed in a real tomb, in a real place, according to the customs of His time. The stone was rolled in front. The burial was complete. And yet, it was not the end.

What makes the tomb of Jesus different from every other tomb is not its structure, but its outcome. Every other burial chamber held the remains of those who had died. But on the third day, the tomb of Jesus was empty. The place that symbolized death became the place where life broke through.

These ancient burial practices remind us of the weight and reality of death in the human experience. Yet they also point us toward something greater. In the midst of grief, loss, and finality, God acted in a way no one expected. He brought life out of death.

When we reflect on these tombs, carved into stone and sealed with care, we are reminded that what seems final to us is not final to God. The same power that raised Jesus speaks hope into every place of loss and despair.

The tomb was real. The burial was real. But so was the resurrection. And because of that, even in the face of death, we do not stand without hope.

Stephen Faircloth is the President of CBN Israel, an initiative dedicated to sharing the true story of the Jewish nation and inspiring a global community of Christians to stand with Israel and support her people in need. Our vision is to reshape the global conversation about Israel by fostering understanding, hope, and healing between Jews and Christians around the world. For more than 50 years, the Christian Broadcasting Network has supported Israel. By joining CBN Israel, you become part of this enduring legacy, transforming lives today and strengthening Christian support for Israel for generations to come.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).

Pentecost, known in Hebrew as Shavuot, was one of the great pilgrimage festivals of ancient Israel. Along with Passover and the Feast of Booths, it drew worshipers from across the Jewish world to Jerusalem. In the first century, the city would have been filled with people from many nations, all gathered to honor God at the Temple.

This festival was not only about gathering. It carried deep meaning. Jewish tradition associated Shavuot with the moment God revealed Himself at Mount Sinai and gave the Torah to Israel. That event was marked by powerful signs: fire, wind, and the sound of God’s presence. It was the birth of Israel as a people set apart for Him.

When Luke describes what happened in Acts 2, he uses those same images. A rushing wind filled the house. Tongues of fire appeared. Voices were heard declaring the wonders of God. These were not random details. They pointed back to Sinai, showing that God was once again revealing Himself, not now through stone tablets, but through His Spirit.

As the disciples spoke, the crowd was astonished. People from different regions heard the message in their own languages. In the midst of the confusion, Peter stood and explained what was taking place. He declared that this was the fulfillment of God’s promise spoken through the prophet Joel, that God would pour out His Spirit on all people.

The coming of the Holy Spirit fulfilled God’s promises through Joel. It connected to His act of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. And, most importantly, it testified that Jesus is His Messiah, raised from the dead. Whatever the Spirit’s work is in our lives and in our communities, it should also testify to these things.

This is an important reminder for us. It is easy to focus on the visible or emotional aspects of the Spirit’s work. Yet Scripture directs our attention to something greater. The Spirit has come to reveal Jesus, to affirm His resurrection, and to draw people into relationship with Him.

When the crowd heard Peter’s words, they were deeply moved. His response was simple and direct: repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise was not only for those present that day, but for all who would come after.

The same Spirit given at Pentecost is at work in our lives today. He strengthens, guides, and transforms us. But above all, He points us to Christ and empowers us to be His witnesses.

As we reflect on this moment, we are invited to respond. Not just to observe what God has done, but to receive what He offers and to live in the power of His Spirit.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to recognize His work in our lives and to keep our focus on Your Son. Empower us to live as faithful witnesses, pointing others to the truth of Jesus. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89). Read on Shabbat, May 23, 2026 / 13 Sivan 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His face upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

Parashat Naso is the longest portion in the Torah, filled with instructions, offerings, and acts of dedication. In the midst of these details appears one of the most beloved passages in Scripture: the priestly blessing. God commands Aaron and his sons to speak words of blessing over the people, placing His name upon them. This moment reveals the heart of God toward His people. He desires not only obedience and worship, but also closeness, protection, grace, and peace.

The blessing unfolds in stages. First comes God’s protection and care. Then comes the shining of His face, a picture of favor and graciousness. Finally comes peace, the deep wholeness that flows from living in harmony with God. These are not empty words or distant hopes. They are covenant promises spoken over a people journeying through uncertainty in the wilderness.

Naso also emphasizes the value of each individual contribution. The tribal leaders bring offerings for the dedication of the altar, each one presented separately and recorded in detail. Though the gifts are identical, each is honored individually before God. This reminds us that God sees every act of faithfulness. What may appear repetitive or unnoticed to others is remembered and valued by Him.

The portion invites reflection on how we receive and extend blessing. Many people move through life carrying anxiety, striving, or discouragement, forgetting that God’s desire is to sustain and guide them. Others may underestimate the importance of their daily acts of obedience and generosity. Naso reminds us that both God’s blessing and our faithfulness matter deeply.

There are seasons when peace feels distant and the future uncertain. In such moments, the priestly blessing becomes a steady reminder that God watches over His people with compassion and care. There are also seasons of abundance and joy, when gratitude should overflow into blessing others through kindness, encouragement, and generosity.

As this Shabbat arrives, take time to meditate on the words of the priestly blessing. Speak them slowly and receive them personally. Consider one way you can become a source of peace and encouragement to someone around you this week. Let your life reflect the gracious face of God toward others.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for Your blessing, protection, and peace. Help me live each day aware of Your presence and grace. May I reflect Your kindness to others and become a source of encouragement and peace wherever I go. Amen.