ARTICLES

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13). Read on Shabbat, July 11, 2026 / 26 Tamuz 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Your word shall be binding on you; you shall do according to all that has gone out of your mouth” (Numbers 30:2).

As the book of Numbers draws to a close, Moses prepares Israel for life in the Promised Land. He begins by reminding the people that their words matter. Promises made before God are not empty expressions but sacred commitments. Faithfulness is measured not only by what we believe but also by whether our actions align with the words we speak. Integrity has always been a distinguishing mark of those who belong to the Lord.

The reading then recounts Israel’s wilderness journey, listing each place where God led His people over the course of forty years. Some locations were marked by victory, others by failure, waiting, or grief. Yet every stop became part of God’s greater purpose. Even the difficult places were not wasted. They prepared Israel for the inheritance that lay ahead and testified to God’s unwavering presence throughout the journey.

Matot-Masei reminds us that our lives are shaped both by the promises we keep and by the paths we travel. We often wish to skip seasons of hardship, uncertainty, or delay. Yet God frequently uses those very seasons to deepen our faith, refine our character, and teach us greater dependence upon Him. Looking back, we often discover that His guidance was present even when we could not clearly see it.

There are moments when we must ask whether our words reflect the character of Christ. Are we people whose commitments can be trusted? Do our families, friends, and neighbors see consistency between what we profess and how we live? At the same time, we can remember that every chapter of our journey, including the painful ones, is held securely in God’s hands. He continues to lead His people with wisdom and purpose.

Whether you are beginning a new season or reflecting on one that has ended, take time to recognize God’s faithfulness along the way. Give thanks for the victories, learn from the disappointments, and trust Him with the road that still lies ahead. As Israel prepared to cross into the land of promise, they looked back and saw that God had never abandoned them. The same faithful God continues to lead His people today.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to be faithful in both my words and my walk. Teach me to honor the commitments I make and to trust You through every stage of life’s journey. Thank You for guiding me with wisdom, strengthening me through every season, and leading me according to Your perfect purposes. Amen.

By Stephen Faircloth

Perched in the hills just north of Capernaum, the ruins of Chorazin overlook the Sea of Galilee. Though this ancient village is mentioned only briefly in the Gospels, it holds a sobering place in the story of Jesus.

Jesus once pronounced a severe rebuke over Chorazin, along with Bethsaida and Capernaum, because despite witnessing His mighty works, the people refused to repent (Matthew 11:21-24; Luke 10:13-16). It is a reminder that spiritual privilege does not guarantee spiritual transformation. The land between these villages formed the heart of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, where miracles and teachings unfolded almost daily. Yet familiarity bred indifference.

Unlike Capernaum and Bethsaida, Chorazin sat back from the shoreline. While it was removed from the fishing trade of the lake, it was renowned for producing exceptional wheat—a detail preserved in ancient rabbinic writings. Archaeological discoveries confirm that Chorazin was a vibrant Jewish community, beginning in the first century A.D.

Most of the ruins visitors see today date to later centuries. The basalt synagogue at the village center, possibly constructed by the third century, reflects the classic Galilean synagogue style seen in places like Capernaum. Worshippers would ascend a broad southern staircase, facing Jerusalem, to enter the hall. Inside, benches formed a U-shape around the room. Carved basalt stones, though difficult to shape, were decorated with symbolic motifs.

Among the most striking finds is a basalt chair called the “Seat of Moses.” According to tradition, this was where teachers of the Law would sit to instruct the people (see Matthew 23:1-2). The chair bears an Aramaic inscription honoring the benefactor who donated it and praying that he would have a share among the righteous. Beneath the later synagogue floor, archaeologists have uncovered signs of an earlier public building—perhaps the synagogue where Jesus Himself taught.

In homes nearby, excavators have found ritual baths, stone vessels, and other artifacts that reveal a community concerned with purity and devotion. And yet, Chorazin still fell under Jesus’ judgment. The people saw, heard, and experienced much, but their hearts remained unchanged.

Chorazin warns us that it is possible to be surrounded by spiritual opportunity and still drift into complacency. It challenges us to consider: Are we responding to what God has shown us, or merely observing it from a safe distance?

Where has God been at work in your life? Have you grown familiar with His blessings without letting them transform you? What would it look like to respond with repentance and renewed faith today?

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.

Across Israel, hunger threatens thousands of people—families with children, refugees, elderly Holocaust survivors, and in recent years, Gaza war victims. So how can anyone feed such large numbers of vulnerable Israelis? 

Thankfully, friends like you have been part of the solution. Through the support of caring donors, CBN Israel has forged a vital partnership with Leket—a food rescue organization that combats food waste, and delivers nutritious meals nationwide to those in need. Donors even supplied them with a 15-ton truck—capable of transporting over seven tons of food daily, five days a week, to feed multitudes in Israel.

Leket Israel was founded over 20 years ago, and has grown into an amazing outreach. CEO Gidi Kroch shares, “Over 160 people work with us, and we rescue about 35,000 tons annually of food—most of it fresh produce, with about 3,000 tons being meals we rescue. We work with 800 farmers and farms all over Israel, and we have 120 suppliers or donors of food, including catering services.”

Even during the war, volunteers have helped with harvesting on farms, giving them a new appreciation of the land. Kroch adds, “The statistics are staggering—we’ve had 100,000 volunteers, especially in these last years of the war, with many up in the North.”

The concept behind Leket is an ancient biblical one of gleaning. God commanded His people to leave a small part of their fields to be picked by those who were poor. Today, farmers may have produce that is perfectly healthy, but not the right size or shape for what their buyers want. Instead of discarding it, they can donate it to Leket and feed hungry families.

Kroch concludes, “We’re so pleased and happy to be able to do this with CBN support… thank you!” And your gifts to CBN Israel can also provide safe housing, financial assistance, and other essentials to those in crisis.

Will you join us today in this important mission?

GIVE TODAY

“Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name” (Psalm 86:11).

To be a disciple is to be a student or learner. It is more than simply believing in God. It is choosing, day after day, to be taught by Him. The psalmist captures this desire beautifully with a simple prayer: “Teach me Your way.”

This is where true discipleship begins. Many of us desire guidance from God, especially in difficult moments. But discipleship is not limited to those times. It is a daily posture of humility, a willingness to sit before God and say, “I still have more to learn.” It is recognizing that His ways are higher than ours and that walking in His truth requires ongoing growth.

In the language of Scripture, a disciple is a student. Jesus did not call His followers to simply admire Him, but to learn from Him. When He sent them out to make disciples, He was calling them to help others become learners as well. A disciple produces other disciples by first being one.

The example of Ezra gives us a clear picture of what this looks like. He set his heart to study God’s Word, to live it out, and then to teach it to others. This pattern remains essential. Learning is not complete until it shapes how we live. And living what we learn becomes the foundation for helping others grow.

But the psalmist adds something deeper: “Unite my heart to fear Your name.” This reveals that learning from God is not merely intellectual. It is deeply personal and emotional. A divided heart cannot fully follow Him. When our desires are pulled in different directions, obedience becomes difficult. We may know what is right, but struggle to live it out.

That is why the psalmist prays for a united heart. To truly learn God’s way, our hearts must be aligned with Him. We must desire His truth above our own preferences. We must seek Him with sincerity, allowing His Word to shape not only our thoughts, but our actions and attitudes.

This kind of discipleship is not casual. It is intentional. It means opening His Word regularly. It means listening for His voice. It means choosing obedience even when it is uncomfortable. And it means sharing what we are learning with others, not as experts, but as fellow students on the journey.

So, the question is worth asking: what kind of disciple are you? Are you still learning? Are you allowing God to teach you daily? Is your heart fully aligned with Him, or divided by competing desires?

God invites each of us into a deeper walk with Him. A life where we continue to grow, to obey, and to help others do the same. A disciple is not someone who has arrived. It is someone who keeps following.

PRAYER

Father, teach us Your way each day. Help us walk in Your truth with an undivided heart. Shape our lives through Your Word, and use us to help others grow as faithful disciples. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1). Read on Shabbat, July 4, 2026 / 19 Tammuz 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace’” (Numbers 25:12).

Parashat Pinchas begins in the aftermath of a national crisis. Following Israel’s rebellion at Peor, God responds to the zeal of Phinehas by establishing with him a covenant of peace. At first glance, the connection between zeal and peace may seem surprising. Yet Scripture reveals that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict. It is the restoration of right relationship with God. When sin is confronted and covenant faithfulness is renewed, peace can once again flourish among God’s people.

The portion quickly shifts from this moment to preparations for the future. A new census is taken as the next generation stands on the threshold of entering the Promised Land. Joshua is commissioned to succeed Moses, and the appointed festivals and offerings are reviewed once more. Together, these events point to God’s remarkable faithfulness. Though one generation passes away, His covenant continues. His purposes move forward, and His promises remain unchanged.

Pinchas reminds us that God’s work is never limited to the present moment. He is always preparing what comes next. Even during seasons of transition, uncertainty, or loss, He is raising up leaders, shaping hearts, and establishing His plans for future generations. His faithfulness extends beyond a single lifetime, inviting each generation to participate in His unfolding purposes.

This portion also challenges us to consider what kind of legacy we are leaving behind. Moses understands that he will not enter the Promised Land, yet his concern is not for himself but for the people who will continue after him. He asks God to appoint a faithful leader who will guide Israel well. His example reflects humility, selflessness, and confidence that God’s mission is greater than any one individual.

Some may find themselves entering a new season of life while others are bringing one chapter to a close. Pinchas reminds us that every season has purpose. God calls some to lead, others to encourage, and still others to prepare the way for those who follow. Each role matters when it is carried out with faithfulness and humility. Our greatest influence often comes through the people we equip, encourage, and inspire.

As this Shabbat arrives, reflect on the ways God has been faithful throughout your journey. Consider how you can invest in those around you through wisdom, encouragement, or faithful example. Trust that the God who has guided you in the past is already preparing the path ahead. His covenant endures, His peace remains available, and His purposes will continue from generation to generation.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for Your enduring faithfulness and Your covenant of peace. Help me live with humility, serve with integrity, and invest faithfully in those who follow after me. May my life point others to Your unchanging promises and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Golda has overcome more hardship than most people could imagine. Born during World War II, she lost her father in the battle for Leningrad and spent her childhood fleeing war with her mother and sibling. Hunger, fear, and uncertainty became part of everyday life.

“My mother worried constantly about how she would feed us,” Golda remembered. “She lost everything, even the photographs of my father.”

Years later, Golda immigrated to Israel in search of a fresh start. Although building a new life was not easy, she found a place where she could finally belong. “Only in Israel did I truly feel accepted,” she said.

Today, at 84 years old, Golda lives alone after losing her husband. Living on a limited income has brought new challenges. When flooding damaged her apartment, it destroyed her washing machine, leaving her to wash her clothes by hand for years. Simple daily tasks became exhausting, and the repairs she needed were far beyond her means.

But caring friends like you made a difference.

Through CBN Israel, Golda received a new washing machine along with much-needed repairs to her apartment. What seemed like a simple gift restored comfort, dignity, and hope to her daily life.

“I’m so happy,” Golda shared. “Now everything is so much easier. Thank you for your kindness. It means so much to me.”

Although the years have brought many losses, Golda no longer feels forgotten. She knows there are people who care about her and are standing beside her during this season of life.

Your support of CBN Israel is bringing practical help and heartfelt encouragement to elderly widows, Holocaust survivors, and vulnerable seniors throughout Israel. Thank you for reminding people like Golda that they are loved, valued, and never alone.

Please stand with the people of Israel today and bring hope to those in need.

GIVE TODAY

By Stephen Faircloth

Nestled along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, just a few miles north of Tiberias, the ancient settlement of Magdala offers a remarkable window into Jewish life during the time of Jesus. Known by multiple names, Magdala or Migdal Nunaya in Hebrew and Aramaic, and Taricheae in Greek and Latin, this city played a central role in the economy and culture of the region.

Greek sources called it Taricheae, meaning “factories for salting fish,” a reminder that everyday labor and community life were part of God’s provision. The bustling harbor connected smaller villages, including Capernaum, to wider trade networks, illustrating how God often uses ordinary places to accomplish extraordinary purposes. When the Gospels describe Jesus arriving by boat in the region of Gennesar, He likely stepped ashore in Magdala’s thriving port.

Though tradition has long identified Magdala as the hometown of Mary Magdalene, there is no conclusive historical proof of this connection. Still, her life shows how God can redeem any story, and how an encounter with Christ transforms us from the inside out.

Modern excavations have brought Magdala to life in vivid detail. Archaeologists uncovered streets laid out in a precise grid, elegant homes with expertly cut stone, intricate mosaic floors, and fine pottery and glassware—all signs of a prosperous community. Many of these homes contained private ritual baths (mikva’ot), even though the Sea of Galilee was just steps away. This dedication reveals how seriously the people of Magdala took purity and devotion, weaving faith into the fabric of daily life.

Among the most significant discoveries is Magdala’s ancient synagogue—one of the earliest ever found. Though modest in size, it was rich with spiritual meaning. The main hall was ringed with benches, frescoed walls, and mosaic floors. At its center stood a beautifully carved stone, likely supporting the sacred Torah as it was read aloud. The carvings include the seven-branched menorah from the Jerusalem Temple, reminding worshipers that even in Galilee, their faith was anchored in God’s promises and presence.

While the Gospels do not specifically mention Jesus teaching in Magdala, He traveled throughout Galilee, proclaiming the Kingdom and opening the Scriptures in synagogues just like this one. It is entirely possible, perhaps even likely, that He stood in this very space, reading and explaining the Word of God, calling people to repentance, hope, and new life.

Magdala is a powerful reminder that faith is not reserved for holy places alone. It flourishes in workshops, fishing boats, kitchens, and markets, wherever people choose to honor God with their lives. Like the men and women of Magdala, we are called to integrate worship into our work, to pursue purity of heart even in ordinary routines, and to welcome Jesus into every corner of our day.

Are there areas of your life where you have separated faith from daily tasks? What would it look like to invite Jesus into your own “harbor,” your own “workshop,” and live every moment for His glory?

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.

“You recently repented and did what was right in My sight… but now you have turned around and profaned My name” (Jeremiah 34:15-16).

It is easy to think of sin primarily in terms of our relationship with God. We often focus on prayer, worship, and personal devotion, assuming these are the most important measures of our faithfulness. Yet Scripture repeatedly reminds us that how we treat others is inseparably connected to how we honor God.

In the days of Jeremiah, the people of Judah made a sincere commitment. They agreed to obey God’s command to release their fellow Hebrews from slavery during the appointed year of release. For a moment, they did what was right. They acted justly. They honored God’s instruction, and God took notice. But their obedience did not last.

After freeing those who had been enslaved, they changed their minds. They forced them back into bondage, reversing their act of obedience. What began as righteousness ended in betrayal. And God’s response was strong. He declared that their actions had profaned His name. This is a sobering truth.

The way we treat people is not just a social issue. It is a spiritual one. Our actions toward others either reflect God’s character or distort it. When we act unjustly, unkindly, or selfishly, we do more than harm another person. We misrepresent the God we claim to follow. God takes this seriously.

In this passage, His judgment was not merely for breaking a command, but for breaking faith with one another. Their failure was not just disobedience. It was a violation of trust, dignity, and justice. It revealed a heart unwilling to live out what they had promised before God.

We may not be dealing with the same circumstances today, but the principle remains. Do our relationships reflect God’s heart? It is possible to speak about faith while neglecting the way we treat others. It is possible to worship God with our lips while acting in ways that contradict His character.

Yet Scripture makes it clear that true devotion to God is expressed through how we love, serve, and honor people. Jesus Himself affirmed this. Loving God and loving others are inseparable. One cannot exist fully without the other.

This calls us to examine our lives honestly. Are there areas where we have failed to act justly? Have we withheld grace, broken trust, or treated others in ways that do not reflect God’s love? These are not small matters. They matter deeply to God.

The good news is that God also calls us to return. Just as the people of Judah were given the opportunity to do what was right, we too are invited to realign our lives. To choose integrity. To act with compassion. To reflect God’s character in every relationship. When we do, we honor His name.

And when we live this way, our faith becomes visible, not only in what we say, but in how we love.

PRAYER

Father, forgive us for the ways we have failed to reflect Your heart in how we treat others. Teach us to act with justice, mercy, and humility. May our lives honor Your name in every relationship. Amen.