ARTICLES

Weekly Devotional: Redeemed for His Purpose

Posted on December 15, 2025

“Just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient times—Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, would serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days” (Luke 1:70-75).

When the people of Israel lived under Roman rule and occupation in the first century, they wrestled with a painful question: If the Lord is faithful, how could His chosen people be subject to a harsh, foreign empire? Rome’s idols and pagan worship filled the land. Roman soldiers patrolled the streets. Judea felt the weight of a kingdom that did not honor Israel’s God.

Different Jewish groups searched for explanations. Some believed that compromise with Rome dishonored God and that resistance was the only righteous path. Others called the nation to repentance, insisting that spiritual renewal and returning to God would bring divine intervention. What united them all was a shared longing for redemption. They hoped for the day when God would act decisively, rescue His people, and restore their ability to worship Him freely.

This longing appears in Jewish writings from the period. In fact, one ancient poet cried out on behalf of Zion, urging her to remove injustice, cling to righteousness, and wait for the fulfillment of every prophetic promise. Redemption, in his mind, was not abstract or merely personal. It involved real deliverance from real oppressors and the restoration of proper worship.

The same hope fills the prayer of Zechariah in Luke 1. He celebrates God’s covenant mercy, God’s promises to Abraham, and the coming rescue that would free Israel from fear. Redemption, for Zechariah, meant more than liberation. It meant being able to serve and worship God in holiness and righteousness. Freedom was not for self-indulgence. It was for faithful devotion.

This is consistent with the entire biblical story. When God redeemed Israel from Egypt, He did not simply free them from Pharaoh. He freed them so they could serve Him. “The children of Israel are servants to Me,” the Lord said in Leviticus. True redemption always leads to devotion. It is release from bondage so that we may gladly embrace His rule.

In the New Testament, Jesus and later Paul announce that God’s promised redemption has arrived. Through Jesus, the kingdom of God has drawn near. But this kingdom—this redemption—does not mirror earthly politics. It is not seized with swords or sustained through national power. It is received through surrender. It advances when God’s people place His will above their own and embody His righteousness in the world.

We often speak of salvation in terms of personal freedom, and there is truth in that. Christ frees us from sin, shame, and death. Yet Scripture reminds us that God always frees for a purpose. We are redeemed so that we may serve and worship Him. We are liberated so that we may submit joyfully to His reign. Someone always sits on the throne of our hearts. Redemption trains us to enthrone God there, not ourselves or any earthly power.

When we choose humble obedience, God’s redemptive power moves beyond us and into the lives of others. Through yielded hearts, His light breaks into dark places. Through willing servants, His kingdom draws near.

This is the nature of true redemption: not merely freedom from something, but freedom for Someone.

PRAYER

Father, You have redeemed us so that we may serve You. Teach us to lay down our self reliance and take up joyful obedience. May Your mercy, power, and kingdom shine through our lives today. Amen.

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Lights in the Darkness: The Story and Hope of Hanukkah

Posted on December 14, 2025

By Stephen Faircloth

“It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade” (John 10:22-23).

Each winter, Jewish families around the world gather to light candles that tell a story far brighter than their flames. For eight nights the glow of Hanukkah fills homes and streets, reminding people everywhere that God sustains, preserves, and strengthens His people in their darkest moments. Though Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Old Testament, the New Testament records Jesus Himself in the Temple during this festival, honoring a moment of rededication and hope.

The celebration of Hanukkah reaches back to the second century B.C., when Judea was under the control of the Syrian Greek Seleucid Empire. Their ruler, Antiochus IV, attempted to force pagan practices on the Jewish people. Sabbath observance was forbidden, reading the Scriptures was outlawed, circumcision was banned, and the Temple in Jerusalem was defiled and dedicated to the Greek god Zeus. The people of Israel faced severe pressure to abandon the faith of their fathers.

In the village of Modiin, a priest named Mattathias refused to bow to these demands. He and his sons fled to the Judean hills and began a small but determined resistance. Before his death, Mattathias appointed his son Judah as their leader. Judah came to be known as “Maccabee,” drawn from the Hebrew phrase that means, “Who is like You, O Lord?” It was a declaration of trust in God’s power and a reminder that He fights for His people.

The Maccabees were greatly outnumbered, yet they won one victory after another. They eventually reclaimed Jerusalem and purified the desecrated Temple. On the twenty fifth day of the month of Kislev, in 139 B.C., they rededicated the sanctuary to the God of Israel. This act gave the holiday its name. The word Hanukkah means “dedication.”

According to a beloved tradition, the priests found only a single small container of consecrated oil, enough to keep the Temple menorah burning for just one day. Yet the oil lasted for eight full days, long enough for new oil to be prepared. For this reason, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights. Each night an additional candle is lit on a nine branched menorah called a hanukkiah, until by the final evening all the lights shine together.

The story of the Maccabees also held meaning for early Christians. Archaeologists have found evidence that believers in the Byzantine period honored the memory of these Jewish heroes. The books of the Maccabees, preserved in the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canons, reflect this early Christian respect for their courage and devotion.

Today, families celebrate Hanukkah by lighting the hanukkiah, eating traditional foods fried in oil such as latkes and jelly doughnuts, and giving gifts to children. These customs recall the miracle of the oil and the joy of rededication.

Yet the heart of Hanukkah carries a deeper message. It speaks of perseverance, faithfulness, and trust in the God who keeps His promises. It reminds us that even when the world feels hostile and uncertain, the light of God continues to shine.

As Jerusalem resident Rebecca Spiro reflected, “Civilizations have risen and fallen, yet the Jewish people are still here. No matter what happens, our candles burn bright.” The Festival of Lights assures us that God’s light has never been extinguished, and it never will be.

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.

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Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Vayeishev (וַיֵּשֶׁב) “He Settled”

Posted on December 12, 2025

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Vayeishev (Genesis 37:1-40:23). Read on Shabbat, November 29, 2025 / 9 Kislev 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers. He was a youth with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father” (Genesis 37:1-2).

The opening of Vayeishev draws us into a family marked by love, rivalry, and fragile relationships. Joseph is young, gifted, and deeply loved by Jacob. His dreams hint at a future shaped by purpose and calling. Yet these very gifts stir resentment in his brothers. Their jealousy grows from quiet frustration to bitter anger, and what begins as a tension within the home becomes a plot that sends Joseph far from everything familiar.

Although Joseph’s journey begins with betrayal and loss, the narrative reveals that God is present even in painful moments. The dreams God placed in Joseph’s heart were not erased by hardship. Instead, the trials he faced would ultimately prepare him for the work God intended. His suffering was not meaningless. His story reminds us that God can work through circumstances that seem destructive to build character, deepen trust, and move His people toward their destiny.

This portion encourages us to consider how God might be working through the unexpected paths of our own lives. Times of disappointment, frustration, rejection, or confusion may feel like detours, but they can become seasons of growth. What looks like a setback may prepare the way for compassion, wisdom, and tools we will later need. When we cannot see the whole story, trust becomes our anchor.

Some may feel today as though they have been pushed into a pit or carried away to places they did not choose. To you, Joseph’s story speaks hope. God has not abandoned you. He is near, working quietly in ways that will one day be clear. And for those in peaceful or stable seasons, Joseph’s early story invites reflection on how we treat others, how we steward our blessings, and how we cultivate humility in times of favor.

As this Shabbat arrives, take time to reflect on the places where God may be shaping you through challenge or blessing. Look for signs of His work even in difficult moments. Then choose one act of kindness or faithfulness that reflects trust in His purpose. Let your life echo the truth that God remains present in every chapter, guiding all things toward good.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being with me in seasons of joy and in seasons of hardship. Teach me to trust Your purpose when I cannot see the way ahead. Let my life reflect Your faithfulness as You work in every part of my story. Amen.

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The Sacred and Secular Celebrations of Christmas and Migdal Eder

Posted on December 11, 2025

By Arlene Bridges Samuels 

As 2025 draws to a close, the Christmas season once again fills homes, churches, and cities with light and joy. Advent candles glow in churches across America, while Bethlehem’s Manger Square is illuminated by a Christmas tree lighting ceremony that has returned after a two-year pause. With Christmas falling on a Thursday this year, many communities are extending their celebrations through the weekend.

This season is filled with both magnificence and simplicity. Recently, audiences around the world experienced André Rieu’s Christmas concert featuring his Johann Strauss Orchestra from Maastricht in the Netherlands. The concert combined sacred and secular music that moved many listeners to tears during the hymns of worship. It felt like a glimpse of heaven’s music. Yet just as meaningful are the humble “Watch Night” services held in small churches across Haiti on Christmas Eve. In all these settings, the heart of Christmas offers a renewal of hope for every soul.

Today, more than one hundred sixty nations observe Christmas, representing more than two billion people. The sacred and the secular often coexist in these celebrations. Yet amid carols, gifts, and lights, one truth deserves more attention. Bethlehem is known throughout the world as the birthplace of Jesus, but few remember that the nation of Israel itself was chosen as the setting for God’s entrance into human history.

On the outskirts of ancient Bethlehem once stood Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock. Though the structure no longer exists, the Bible preserves its meaning. Micah 4:8 reads, “As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.” Micah 5:2 continues, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.” Genesis 35:21 also records that “Jacob camped beyond Migdal Eder after burying Rachel near Bethlehem.” The Hebrew phrase Migdal Eder means “tower of the flock.” For generations, this structure stood as both a lookout post and a birthing place for the sheep destined for Temple sacrifice.

According to Jewish tradition recorded in the Mishnah, shepherds in Bethlehem had long told stories of Migdal Eder. By the fourth century, a Byzantine monastery had been built on the site to mark its sacred significance. The Sadducees, who oversaw Temple sacrifices, appointed Bethlehem’s shepherds to care for the flocks used in worship. These shepherds were priestly caretakers trained to ensure that each animal was fit for sacrifice. When lambs were born, they were brought inside the lower chamber of the tower. The newborns were gently wrapped in strips of cloth to prevent injury and laid in a stone feeding trough until they were calm. Only perfect lambs could be offered in sacrifice, fulfilling Exodus 12:5: “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year.”

This ancient practice reveals a powerful prophetic connection. Centuries later, angels appeared to these same Bethlehem shepherds and announced, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11–12). The shepherds needed no directions. They knew the exact place where newborn lambs were wrapped and protected. They ran to Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock, where they found the promised Messiah lying in a manger. The very shepherds who cared for sacrificial lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God, born where the sacrificial lambs were once laid.

As the lambs reached one year old, they were herded into Jerusalem for Passover. The priests examined each animal, accepting only those without blemish. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, fulfilled this image perfectly. He became the final Passover Lamb, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. It is no coincidence that the Lamb of God was born in the very place where Temple lambs were raised.

Centuries later, the story of that night spread around the world, shaping faith and culture alike. The celebration of Christ’s birth reached what historians call a tipping point, a moment when faith and festivity merged into a global observance. In the nineteenth century, this transformation gathered momentum through books, music, and tradition. In 1822, Reverend Clement Moore wrote A Visit from St. Nicholas, better known as Twas the Night Before Christmas. Two decades later, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol, inspiring renewed generosity and compassion. The United States established Christmas as a federal holiday in 1870. By the 1880s, Christmas carols such as “Away in a Manger” appeared in magazines, and the legend of Santa Claus, based on St. Nicholas, took hold in popular culture.

After World War II, Christmas shopping became a hallmark of the season, reshaping global economies. In 2024, Americans spent more than six hundred billion dollars during the holiday season. While the celebrations have grown increasingly elaborate, the sacred story remains unchanged.

For believers, the challenge is not to abandon the joy and beauty of Christmas, but to keep Christ at the center. Israel, the Holy Land, remains the cradle of our faith and the birthplace of the Savior. No other nation can make that claim. Author Max Lucado expressed it beautifully: “The story of Christmas is the story of God’s relentless love for us.”

As Christmas fills our hearts and homes this year, may we remember that the true light of the season still shines from Bethlehem. The promise of redemption began in a manger and was fulfilled on the cross. The same God who orchestrated the birth of His Son in Migdal Eder continues to call humanity to Himself with love that never ends.

CBN Israel invites readers to pray and reflect on Israel, the cradle of the Christian faith and the land of the Savior’s birth.

Prayer Points:

  • Pray with gratitude that Israel allows citizens and visitors the freedom to celebrate Christmas in peace.
  • Pray for protection throughout Israel, as terrorist attacks often increase during the holidays.
  • Pray for Israel as it observes Hanukkah from December 14 to 22.
  • Pray for the members of the IDF as they defend their nation on multiple fronts amid ongoing conflict.

Arlene Bridges Samuels is the weekly feature columnist for CBN Israel since 2020. Working on the staff of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as their SE Regional Outreach Director for nine years, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA engaged her as the Leadership Outreach Director part-time for their project American Christian Leaders for Israel. Arlene is an author at The Blogs-Times of Israel, is published at AllIsrael.com and The Jerusalem Connection, and has traveled to Israel since 1990. By invitation, she attends Israel’s Government Press Office Christian Media Summits as part of Christian media worldwide. In 2024, Arlene and her husband Paul co-authored Mental Health Meltdown: Illuminating the Voices of Bipolar and Other Mental Illnesses. www.TheMentalHealthMeltdown.com.

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Standing with Israel’s Deaf Community

Posted on December 10, 2025

In a time of war and uncertainty, Israel’s most vulnerable are facing extraordinary challenges. Among them are members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community, who often live without the tools they need to stay safe, especially during emergencies.

When rocket sirens sound across the country, most Israelis hear the warning and run for shelter. But for those who cannot hear, the signal is invisible. Some rely on smartwatches or mobile apps, but even these alerts can arrive with critical delays. The risk is real, and for many, it is frightening.

At the same time, the community is working to preserve its history and identity. Many Deaf Israelis are Holocaust survivors or descendants of those who came to the land long before the founding of the state. Their stories are often overlooked. Now, thanks to friends like you, their voices are finally being heard.

Through the generous support of caring donors, CBN Israel and our local partners are helping document the stories of Israel’s Deaf community. These powerful testimonies are recorded in sign language and shared with younger generations and the wider public. The result is a living archive of memory, culture, and courage that strengthens the community from within.

Gifts from friends like you are also supporting practical solutions. Life-saving technologies are being explored and implemented to improve emergency communication. These tools help ensure that no one is left behind in a crisis. From wearable alerts to early warning systems, support from CBN Israel donors is helping save lives and restore peace of mind.

One community leader said, “We, the Deaf community, know what we need most. You believed in us and filled a space that had been empty for a very long time.”

Because of your compassion, those who once felt unseen can now feel valued, protected, and supported. Your gifts to CBN Israel also offer relief to Holocaust survivors, elderly widows, terror victims, single mothers, and many others.

Please join us in providing help and hope to the most vulnerable communities in Israel.

GIVE TODAY

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A King’s Fortress and the True King’s Birth

Posted on December 9, 2025

By Stephen Faircloth

Three miles southeast of Bethlehem rises Herodium, an artificial mountain built by Herod the Great. Its massive silhouette stood watch over the very fields where shepherds received the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth. While Bethlehem welcomed a humble child laid in a manger, Herodium proclaimed the power, ambition, and pride of an earthly king. Two kingdoms, two ways of ruling, stood face to face on that first Christmas night.

Herod built Herodium to celebrate a military victory over Mattithias Antigonus, the final Hasmonean ruler. After overcoming his enemies near this very hill, Herod transformed the landscape itself, shaping a cone shaped mountain and crowning it with a lavish palace fortress. From here, he guarded the routes that stretched from Bethlehem into the Judean wilderness and toward En Gedi. Herodium announced Rome’s dominance and Herod’s authority to anyone who passed below.

Inside the circular double walled fortress, Herod created a world of royal splendor: a private bathhouse, ornate dining halls, reception rooms, and comfortable living quarters. Archaeologists have uncovered its monumental entry gate, as well as the remains of its towers, including the great eastern tower that once surveyed the region. A lower palace and immense pool complex spread across the base of the mountain, complete with Roman style bathhouses where warm, cool, and tepid rooms reflected the luxury of the imperial world.

Herodium, however, played a role far beyond Herod’s lifetime. Rebels during the First Jewish Revolt converted his dining hall into a synagogue, and fighters in the Bar Kochbah Revolt also used the fortress. Letters from their leader, Shimon ben Kosiba, were discovered in caves near the Dead Sea, showing the strategic importance of this site long after Herod’s reign.

Josephus recorded that Herod was buried at Herodium. In 2006, archaeologists uncovered his mausoleum along the northern slope, along with the shattered fragments of his once elaborate sarcophagus. They also discovered a Roman theater nearby, likely constructed for the visit of Marcus Agrippa, a friend of both Herod and Caesar Augustus, the emperor named in the Nativity story.

Yet the most striking truth of Herodium is not its engineering or grandeur. It is the contrast between Herod’s kingdom of power and the kingdom born beneath its gaze. The fortress that boasted of human greatness towered over the fields where angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest,” announcing a Savior who would rule not by force, but by love. While Herod sought to preserve his throne through violence, even ordering the massacre of Bethlehem’s young boys, Jesus came to bring peace to the humble, healing to the broken, and salvation to the world.

Herodium reminds us that every Christmas invites a choice. Will we live by the values of Herod’s kingdom, striving for control, status, and security in what we build? Or will we follow the way of Christ, who descended in humility so that we might be lifted up? One kingdom is built on pride and fear. The other is built on hope, sacrifice, and the faithfulness of God.

The mountain of Herod still stands, but the kingdom of Jesus is the one that endures forever.

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.

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Weekly Devotional: The God Who Lifts the Lowly

Posted on December 8, 2025

“He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever” (Luke 1:51-55).

Mary’s song, known as the Magnificat, is one of the most beautiful and disruptive passages in all of Scripture. Its words have stirred hearts, challenged empires, and inspired movements. Yet we often miss its force because we wrap the Christmas story in quiet images of starlit nights, gentle animals, and peaceful manger scenes. We sentimentalize a moment that was actually charged with hope, upheaval, and divine revolution.

Mary was a young Jewish woman living under Roman occupation. Her people longed for freedom. They prayed for the God of Abraham to intervene once more, to deliver them from oppression, to turn the world right side up again. So when Mary lifted her voice in praise, she did so as one who understood the depth of suffering and the longing for redemption. Her song declared that God was not distant. He was stepping into history. He was overturning the systems that exalt the powerful and crush the weak.

“He has put down the mighty.”
“He has exalted the lowly.”
“He has filled the hungry.”
“He has sent the rich away empty.”

These are not gentle sentiments. They are declarations that the status quo will not stand in the presence of the Messiah. They announce a kingdom where human power is leveled and God’s mercy is raised high. They echo Israel’s ancient cries for deliverance and boldly proclaim that those cries are finally being answered.

Throughout Luke’s Gospel, this same theme continues. Zechariah’s Benedictus, the angelic announcement to the shepherds, Simeon’s prophecy in the Temple—each echoes the truth that God’s redemption is never merely personal and private. It reaches into the fabric of society. It heals the brokenhearted, frees captives, restores justice, and reveals the heart of God for the poor and the oppressed.

And when Jesus began His ministry, He affirmed the very values His mother had sung: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind…” (Luke 4:18-19).

Christmas, then, is not only about God coming near to us individually. It is about God entering a wounded world and beginning the great reversal. It is about light breaking into darkness, hope displacing despair, and God’s kingdom pushing against every force that crushes human dignity.

As we celebrate this season, we often focus on what God has done for me. That is good and right. But Mary invites us to lift our eyes higher. She reminds us that God acts for the world. He brings justice where there is injustice, hope where there is hopelessness, and mercy where there is oppression.

And He invites His people to participate in that work. Will we join Him? Will we stand with the lowly, feed the hungry, lift the brokenhearted, and reflect the kingdom values of Mary’s song? Will we allow the Magnificat to disrupt our comfort so that God’s mercy might flow through us?

PRAYER

Father, thank You for sending Your Son to bring hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. Let the message of the Magnificat take root in our hearts. Teach us to stand where You stand, to love as You love, and to participate in Your redeeming work in the world. Amen.

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Torah Reading Devotional: Parashat Vayishlach (וַיִּשְׁלַח) “He Sent”

Posted on December 5, 2025

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43). Read on Shabbat, December 6, 2025 / 14 Kislev 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes’” (Genesis 32:4-5).

Jacob stands at a moment of great tension. He approaches the brother he wronged years earlier, uncertain of how he will be received. Fear presses in from every side, yet Jacob still takes steps toward reconciliation. He sends messengers, prepares his household, and turns to God in prayer. He refuses to hide from the past. Instead, he walks toward it with humility, aware that only God can shape the outcome.

This portion reveals the depth of Jacob’s inner struggle. That night he wrestles until daybreak and receives a blessing that changes his identity. His name becomes Israel, a reminder that he has contended with God and endured. When Jacob finally meets Esau, he expects hostility but receives compassion. Esau runs to him, embraces him, and weeps. What Jacob feared would destroy him becomes a moment of healing. God transforms the encounter into grace.

Vayishlach speaks to the places in our lives where fear, regret, or old wounds still linger. We often anticipate the worst, imagining rejection or judgment. Yet God can prepare hearts in ways we cannot see. He works behind the scenes, softening what has hardened and healing what seemed beyond repair. Jacob reminds us that courage and repentance open doors for God to act with mercy.

Some may be carrying memories that still hurt or relationships strained by misunderstanding. Let this portion invite you to bring those burdens before God. He meets us in the struggle just as He met Jacob in the night. Others may find themselves in a season of calm or blessing. For you, this story becomes a call to extend compassion to those who approach with fear or pain.

Set aside a moment this Shabbat to consider where God may be inviting you into reconciliation or inner renewal. Ask Him for courage to take the first step and for faith to trust His work in the hearts of others. Let your actions reflect the hope that God can turn even the most fearful meeting into a moment of grace.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for meeting me in my struggles and fears. Give me courage to seek reconciliation where it is needed and humility to trust Your work in every situation. May Your mercy guide my steps and shape my heart. Amen.

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The World’s Most Enduring Best Seller is Timelier Than Ever

Posted on December 4, 2025

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

It is no surprise that the Bible remains the world’s top best seller. With Christmas approaching, this is an ideal time to reflect on how we know about Jesus and His birth.

God designed His redemptive plan through forty Jewish scribes from many backgrounds, personalities, and professions. Over a span of fifteen hundred years, they recorded His words in Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew, on three continents, and across hundreds of subjects. In ancient times these scribes could not collaborate with one another, yet God directly inspired them to write His truth in both the Old and New Testaments.

In From God to Us: How We Got Our Bible, the authors write, “The Bible possesses an amazing unity of theme—Jesus Christ. One problem—sin—and One solution—the Savior—unify its pages from Genesis to Revelation.” The Bible’s supernatural harmony fills our lives with purpose, peace, and hope.

Almost six centuries have passed since Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1440. During that time an estimated five to six billion Bibles have been printed, making it the most published book in human history. Although our world is filled with deception and despair, the hunger for the Bible’s truth continues to grow.

Bible sales have increased dramatically since 2024. According to Circana, a company that tracks book sales, the Bible boom reached 2.4 million copies sold in September 2025 alone. Circana attributes much of this rise to Charlie Kirk’s influence among young conservatives and beyond. More than eighteen million Bibles have been sold so far this year.

Interest in the Bible accelerated after the 2023 Asbury College revival. Across many states, both organized and spontaneous worship gatherings continue to emerge, especially among college students. Stadiums are filled with people of all ages praying, worshiping, and studying Scripture. Social media is filled with testimonies, baptisms, and Bible studies.

The Bible is also experiencing renewed interest in modern Israel. A quiet spiritual awakening is taking place as Israelis search for meaning during a time of national crisis. Many are turning to Scripture to rediscover their Jewish roots and to understand the times they are living in.

The Rosenberg Report recently featured Victor Kalisher, director of the Israel Bible Society, who spoke about a remarkable development in Israel’s biblical engagement. He explained that the Hebrew Bible was written in a 2,700-year-old form of Hebrew, which can be difficult for modern readers. To help Israelis understand the Scriptures more clearly, the Society is completing a modern Hebrew translation of the entire Old Testament. For English speakers, it would be similar to reading a modern translation rather than the King James Version of 1611.

Kalisher also reported that Israeli Jews are reading the New Testament in modern Hebrew translated from Greek. He called this a “national breakthrough.” Readers have responded with enthusiasm, saying, “We never understood the Bible before.” He noted that “reading the modern translation allows the Word of God to truly touch their hearts.” Tens of thousands of Israelis have expressed gratitude for this project.

In 1959, the Bible Society printed the first complete Hebrew Bible in Israel. Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion celebrated the milestone, declaring, “We can now print the Bible in the Land of the Bible.” The Society continues this legacy today with new tools such as the first Hebrew cross-reference Bible. “It is a parallel Bible that contains 90,000 cross references showing how the Old and New Testaments are one Word of God,” Kalisher said. These projects stand as powerful evidence of God’s continuing work through His Word.

The word “covenant” provides a perfect example of this connection. It appears 282 times in the Old Testament and 34 times in the New, symbolizing God’s enduring promise to His people. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells one unified story of redemption.

Yet the Bible’s power only changes lives when it is read. Kathleen Cooke, international speaker and founder of The Influence Lab, has written a devotional titled Hope 4 Today: Stay Connected to God in a Distracted Culture. Her book speaks directly to the fast pace of modern life, especially during the busy Christmas season.

Cooke cites studies showing that “too busy” is the number one reason people fail to read the Bible, followed closely by “too distracted.” Most Americans own at least four Bibles but rarely open them. Her devotional draws on research from The Center for Bible Engagement, which surveyed 100,000 Christians over eight years. The results show that believers who read the Bible at least four times a week experience measurable changes in their attitudes and behavior. Those who read less than four times a week show little difference from nonbelievers.

Hope 4 Today offers short, practical devotionals that help readers stay consistent in Scripture. Cooke encourages readers to see Bible reading not as a task, but as an opportunity to deepen their relationship with the Creator who speaks through His Word.

As the world prepares to celebrate Christmas, believers have every reason to rejoice. God inspired Jewish scribes to give us the Bible. Revival is stirring hearts in Israel and around the world. The birth of Jesus remains the ultimate expression of divine love. Yet this is also a moment for renewed commitment. In a world filled with division and moral confusion, the Bible must be more than a symbol on a shelf. It must be our lifeline.

Both Israel and the United States will hold national elections next year, and the world’s instability continues to grow. Now is the time for believers to root themselves more deeply in Scripture so that their faith remains unshaken in the storms ahead.

CBN Israel invites readers to join in prayer this week, reflecting on 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”

Prayer Points:

  • Pray for the ongoing work of the Israel Bible Society as it spreads God’s Word throughout the Holy Land.
  • Pray that Israelis will find peace, purpose, and truth through the modern Hebrew translations of the Scriptures.
  • Pray for the continued healing of former hostages who endured captivity in darkness.
  • Pray with gratitude for the sustaining power of Jewish faith and the psalms that helped hostages survive.
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Nourishing Israel’s Forgotten Seniors

Posted on December 3, 2025

Life in Israel can be difficult, especially for vulnerable elderly citizens who struggle just to get through each day. For many, the burden of aging is made even heavier by the reality of not having enough to eat.

Nearly one in four seniors in Israel faces food insecurity. Without access to regular, nutritious meals, many experience a decline in health that leads to additional medical expenses. These added costs only deepen the hardship for those already living on the edge.

Many of these individuals are elderly immigrants or Holocaust survivors, living alone in low-income housing. Some are disabled or isolated, with no family nearby to support them. Their government stipend often barely covers rent and medication. Food becomes one of the first things they are forced to sacrifice.

Thanks to compassionate friends like you, help has arrived. Donor support of CBN Israel allows us to work with trusted local partners to deliver hot, nourishing meals directly to elderly men and women who need them most. Prepared meals are collected from kitchens that would otherwise discard the leftovers. After being safely stored overnight, they are delivered the next day to senior centers and residential facilities across the country.

The generosity of caring donors has made it possible to serve thousands of meals each week, four days a week, throughout the year. These meals provide more than nutrition. They offer comfort, dignity, and the reassurance that someone cares.

Your support can also reach others in crisis across Israel. Jewish families returning to their ancestral homeland, single mothers raising children on their own, and those recovering from the trauma of war and terror are receiving critical help because of your compassion. 

Please join us today in bringing hope to those who need it most.

GIVE TODAY

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About CBN Israel

 

 

CBN Israel exists to tell the true story of Israel and sustain a movement of Christians who will bless and stand with the Jewish people. Our vision is to change the global conversation about Israel and build bridges of hope and healing between Jews and Christians worldwide.

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