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Weekly Devotional: Do Justice

“He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NASB).

When the prophet Micah sought to summarize what God wants of us, he simplified our life before God into three directives: Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God. 

We are to do justice. The question, however, is whether the cries for justice in our world today reflect the biblical idea of justice.

In our Western world, we often think of justice as more of an abstract ideal. Our courthouses depict justice as a blindfolded lady with the scales in her hands, because justice is to be blind—the same and equal for all.

In the Bible justice is not abstract; rather, it is defined relationally, with the central relationship being how God relates to us and calls upon us to relate to Him. The second relational aspect is how He demands that we relate to each other, which He defines.

The violation of either of these relational aspects, either between us and God or us and our neighbor, is what the Bible defines as sin. Justice, then, is defined by God. God Himself is just.

The Bible also makes clear that God is merciful. In fact, as justice cannot be just without mercy, so too mercy gains clarity by justice. They go together.

The cries for justice we hear today do not often reflect this nuanced, biblical reality. Many want justice to roll down upon our world, especially on those who do not share their faith, politics, or morals. Yet justice requires mercy. Moreover, justice is defined by God.

Micah captures this reality. What does God desire from us? Do justice. Doing justice does not mean playing the judge; it means living in right relationship with others and actively pursuing the wellbeing of everyone around us—particularly the poor, needy, and oppressed among us.

In our efforts to do justice, though, we must also remember to love kindness and mercy. Each of us has played a role in causing or perpetuating injustice in our world. Therefore, in the same way that we need mercy, we must extend mercy to others. 

And finally, we must choose to walk humbly with God. Why? We have to possess the humility to recognize that we are not the judge; only One deserves that title. 

Unlike human beings, God’s judgment is perfect. He always has a redemptive or restorative outcome in mind.

If we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly, then we will be able to more effectively demonstrate the truth of who God is to an unjust, broken, and hurting world. They will see that He is good, just, and full of mercy. 

PRAYER

Father, today may we do justice and pursue what is right for all. Please give us empathy for others, to stand in their place. May we love mercy and show it to all we come in contact with, and may we walk humbly with You, our merciful and just Judge. Amen.

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Israel Assists Fire-Stricken Californians: Friends Helping Friends

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

For over a week, the intense blazes leveling California neighborhoods have been headline news. After months of near-zero rainfall, the area was vulnerable to the flames and fiery embers propelled by fierce Santa Ana winds. What perhaps hasn’t made the headlines is how Israel quickly came to their aid.

Two leading Israeli humanitarian relief organizations, IsraAID and SmartAID, sprang into action as the disastrous fires spread in and around Los Angeles, driven by severe and intense winds. SmartAID is already on the ground providing solar-telecommunication trailers, with 150 portable battery units supplied to U.S. medical charities and individuals that rely on refrigeration for insulin, food, CPAP machines, and oxygen.

IsraAID is making its plans now. Once the fires are contained, their Emergency Team of Israeli volunteers and humanitarian professionals will partner with California communities, providing ongoing help to rebuild their lives. Grievously afflicted Californians, and for that matter deeply concerned families and friends across America, can draw a measure of comfort from Israeli experts on the ground.

Israeli help is often the first to arrive and the last to be recognized. Although that lack of recognition isn’t surprising to these organizations, it does not stop them from carrying out their compassionate service to others.

IsraAID’s CEO, Yotam Polizer, remarks: “We are devastated to see the destruction and our hearts go out to all those who have lost their homes or been displaced.” He adds, “We have long-standing ties to communities in Los Angeles and across California and have deeply felt the impact of this emergency.” In addition to their own work inside Israel during their defensive war, IsraAID’s commitment remains to “support communities experiencing crisis, no matter where they are.”

As of January 2025, IsraAID, established in 2001, has responded to more than 100 disaster emergencies in over 65 countries. IsraAID has a history of offering its competent help regardless of any country’s different politics, religion, or ethnicity.

In one of their best-known outreaches, 200 IsraAID medical teams were the first on the scene in Haiti’s horrific 2010 earthquake. They saved thousands of Haitian lives in their quickly set up tents with medical operating rooms. Some Haitian mothers named their babies “Israel” to honor the Jewish doctors who had safely delivered their babies. With half of its funding coming from non-Jewish sources, the award-winning organization has managed to continue working overseas during the 15 months since Israel suffered its now-ongoing disaster on October 7, 2023.

SmartAID’s founder, Shachar Zahavi, also emphasized the bond between Israel and the United States, recognizing that both are “empowered and strengthened by our shared commitment to global humanitarian aid and technological innovation.” Zahavi adds that “technology plays a crucial role in enhancing our collaborative efforts … especially in times of disasters.” In the first 40 days of the Hamas-launched war against Israel, SmartAID quickly proceeded to facilitate aid to Gazans, including smart classrooms for evacuated children and technology in civilian shelters.

Last year, SmartAID deployed its technology teams to Florida and North Carolina after Hurricane Helene wrought devastation there on an unprecedented scale. In Israel, they have opened a Safe Space Trauma Centre. Read here about their extensive outreaches.

As you can see, IsraAID and SmartAID are not strangers to global or American disasters. Although Israel is surrounded by an exaggerated culture of death threats against its homeland, the enshrined Jewish culture of life is expressed in multiple humane actions. Modern Israel, with a backdrop of centuries-long Jewish survival, has purposefully fashioned itself into providing innovative, humanitarian aid both within and without the world’s only Jewish state.

As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 proclaims, “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Swayed by hatred, too many groups and institutions will likely not believe what I am exposing. That is why I often say that it is up to those of us who know the truth to pass it on in person and via social media. Why not begin by reading the links about IsraAID and SmartAID and choosing a fact to oppose anti-Israel lies?

I recently rediscovered a quote that encapsulates the need for prayers matched with actions on behalf of Israel, our spiritual homeland. “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” Reverend Edward Everett Hale’s career included vigorous opposition to slavery, his benevolent “Lend A Hand” clubs (that lasted 100 years), and serving as Chaplain of the U.S. Senate from 1903 until his death in 1909. Let us revive his quote with the neon lights of advocacy for Israel!

In closing, anti-Israel lies and accusations are circulating like a social media storm despite Israel’s critical help amid the catastrophic fires. Use wisdom when you read or watch these posts. For example, many posts on X declare that the Iranian Red Crescent Society is offering its help and sympathy. Really? All the while, the Islamic Regime, its proxies, and even American antisemitic cheerleaders are pushing another opportunity to hate Israel and the United States.

Palestinian Media Watch reports, “Palestinian Authority says that California fires are Allah’s punishment of Trump.” A Muslim social media “journalist” accuses Israel with this twisted claim: “You burn hospitals and refugees on a live stream.” Although U.S. aid to Israel ($12.5 billion) is less than 0.00001% of U.S. federal spending (75 percent is spent in U.S. weapons manufacturing), our foreign aid to Israel is essential for U.S. security. Nevertheless, organizations such as Code Pink, Jewish Voices for Peace, and other hate-motivated groups here in the U.S. are contacting Congress with this boorish message: “When U.S. taxes go to burning people alive in Gaza, we can’t be surprised when those fires come home.”

As usual, no reference is made to Hamas as the warmongers who, on October 7, 2023, incited the ongoing conflict. Hamas and its backer, the Islamic Regime, are responsible for the situation in Gaza today. Recall that in 2005, Israel turned Gaza over to Palestinian Arabs—a move intended to “grant Israeli citizens the maximum level of security,” according to Ariel Sharon. Others hoped the move would create a prosperous “Singapore by the sea.” No Jews have lived there for the past 20 years! Unfortunately, the Palestinians voted for Hamas in 2007—putting Hamas totally in charge.

CBN Israel welcomes you to join our prayers this week based on Psalm 147:3—He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Prayer Points:

  • Pray with thanks for Israel’s aid, along with firefighting assets from Canada and Mexico.
  • Pray for the safety of firefighters, first responders, and forensic recovery dogs.
  • Pray that some 150,000 displaced people might have adequate food, shelter, and comfort.
  • Pray for CBN’s Operation Blessing and other Christian organizations that are offering relief and hope during this terrible disaster.

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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Life-Changing Surgery: Joseph’s Story

It all started when his eyesight began to dim. Joseph, an Ethiopian Christian, had a good job with medical benefits at an Israeli company. And then, he was diagnosed with cataracts in both of his eyes. Soon, it severely affected his vision, and he could no longer do his job.

When he was forced to quit working for the company, he lost his health insurance—and could not afford to pay for cataract surgery. His rent also became unaffordable, and the only place he could manage to live financially was a studio apartment in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Yet in that area, the cobblestone streets were dangerous to navigate with his failing eyesight. Eventually, he was almost blind, and it affected his ability to read, or even perform basic tasks like finding his way home. He felt so alone. Where could he turn for help?

Fortunately, friends like you came to his rescue. Through CBN Israel, caring donors sponsored his surgery, removing the cataracts in both of his eyes, and covering the costs of his prescribed medicine. And, they are delivering food packages to him, so he can survive with nutritious meals as he recovers from his operation. Joseph exclaimed, “You are angels sent by the Lord—thank you!”

And your gifts to CBN Israel can be a godsend to so many who are struggling to survive. You can be there for new immigrants, single moms, Holocaust survivors, war victims and more—offering help and hope.

The war in Israel has brought a host of challenges throughout the Holy Land. Your support can reach out to those in need with hot meals, groceries, finances, housing, and essentials.

Please help us extend a lifeline of compassion today!

GIVE TODAY

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Biblical Israel: Elah Valley

By Marc Turnage

The biblical writers often assume their readers knew the geographic and regional dynamics of the land of Israel. Sites and locations offer more than simply places on a map; they provide the living landscape that shaped and formed the biblical stories. In addition, the authors of Scripture assume we understand the geographical and regional dynamics that played important roles within their stories.

A great example of this phenomenon is the Elah Valley. This valley serves as the setting for one of the most famous stories in the Bible: the confrontation between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). If the story simply boils down to us as “man kills giant,” we miss the geographic tension created by the author and understood by his audience. Let me explain.

The biblical land of Israel, west of the Jordan River, looks like a loaf of French bread: flat on the sides and puffy in the middle. The puffy middle represents the Hill Country that runs north-south through the land, forming its spine. On the western side of the French loaf along the Mediterranean sits the Coastal Plain. The Philistines lived there. The Israelites lived in the Hill Country, and between these two geographic zones lay a buffer area known in the Bible as the Shephelah of Judah. Low rolling hills with broad valleys characterize the Shephelah.

These valleys created west-east corridors for movement between the Coastal Plain and the Hill Country. Many places mentioned in the Bible lie in and along these valleys through the Shephelah; the Bible mentions them because of their situation in connection to these valleys and routes of travel.

The Elah Valley provides one of these corridors between the Coastal Plain (and the Philistines) and the Hill Country (and the Israelites). Located at the western mouth of the Elah Valley as it opens into the Coastal Plain sits Gath, Goliath’s hometown. At the eastern end of this valley—in the Hill Country—lies Bethlehem, David’s hometown. Is it any wonder that Goliath of Gath and David of Bethlehem met in the Elah Valley? But there’s more. 

The author of Samuel described the Philistines’ movement into the Elah Valley from the west: “Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah” (1 Samuel 17:1 NIV). Their movement into the Elah Valley—as well as its regional dynamics, with Bethlehem situated at its eastern end—indicate that the end goal for the Philistines was Bethlehem.

Acquiring Bethlehem provided entry into Judah, and it put them along the main north-south artery in the Central Hill Country. Their actions were not haphazard; they were strategic. And in the midst of these regional dynamics and the struggles between Israel and the Philistines, the author tells of the confrontation between David and Goliath. 

He assumed his audience understood the tension created by the geography of the story. The Philistines’ target: Bethlehem. Jessie and David from Bethlehem were concerned with how the battle fared. Where would David from Bethlehem and Goliath from Gath eventually meet? The author provides such a clear description of the valley, its villages, and even the brook that runs through it that one can stand in the Elah Valley identifying the lines of battle, the location of Saul’s forces and the Philistines, and the flight of the Philistines after David’s triumph.

When we understand the physical settings of the land of the Bible, a depth of understanding and insight into the stories of the Bible opens before us, and we begin to read the Bible as its first readers did and its authors intended. 

Marc Turnage is President/CEO of Biblical Expeditions. He is an authority on ancient Judaism and Christian origins. He has published widely for both academic and popular audiences. His most recent book, Windows into the Bible, was named by Outreach Magazine as one of its top 100 Christian living resources. Marc is a widely sought-after speaker and a gifted teacher. He has been guiding groups to the lands of the Bible—Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy—for over twenty years.

Website: WITBUniversity.com
Facebook: @witbuniversity
Podcast: Windows into the Bible Podcast

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Weekly Devotional: On Display

One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD asked Satan, “Where have you come from?”

“From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” 

Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”

“Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence (Job 1:6-12 HCSB).

God thrust Job into the arena. Have you ever noticed this? God brought him before Satan. He drew attention to Job’s blamelessness and uprightness, his fear of God. 

By doing so, He put these qualities within Job to the test. Satan suggested that Job would not remain faithful if he suffered, and this becomes the setting for the book of Job: his tests and suffering. Sometimes our faithfulness has to be tested in the fire of trial and suffering. Job came through the test. But God put him in the furnace of testing. Why?

The book of Job never answers Job’s question, “Why?” When God finally answers Job, His response in essence is: I’m God, you’re not. Sometimes there is no answer to the question of why people suffer. But God answered Job, and this has much greater significance. Job wanted to make his case before God, something he didn’t get to do. Yet God answered him, and in the end this is what mattered—not the answer, but the One who answered.

Still, God thrust Job into the arena. Throughout the Bible, God placed people in the arena with all eyes watching to show forth His glory. When we remain faithful in the midst of trials, sufferings, hardships, and pain, not only is our faith strengthened, but we glorify God before a watching world. Satan could no longer express a caveat for Job’s faithfulness, because he remained faithful through his trials and suffering. 

Job’s story tells us, though, that God will thrust us into the arena—not for our comfort, but for His glory. Sometimes God wants to put us on display before a watching world. 

In the midst of trials, sufferings, hardships, and pain, will we choose to remain faithful to God? Will we be a bright and shining example to the world around us? Will they see that our faith is genuine and will remain unshaken even during adversity?

PRAYER

Father, in the midst of trials, hardships, and suffering, may we display loyalty and faithfulness to You. Amen.

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Israel’s Eternal Energy Endures

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

The world’s failure to speak up for the only Jewish state and Jews everywhere has not diminished Israel’s thousands of years of endurance—living under hate of every kind. In fact, although January 2, 2025, marked the end of Israel’s second Hanukkah while fighting its defensive war, they sang, they danced, they feasted, and lit their Feast of Dedication candles. They sang on the Temple Mount, they sang at the Western Wall (Kotel), they sang in the streets, and they sang in their homes. Their overcoming endurance remains eternal, even as they suffer nationwide trauma, loss, and lies from every corner of the globe.

True, during Israel’s Hanukkah celebrations, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, over a thousand miles to the south, fired ballistic missiles toward Israel every night of Hanukkah, forcing millions of Israelis to run for bomb shelters. However, the Jewish ability to drive out darkness with light began before Hanukkah, when a menorah was built in Hostage Square in Tel Aviv made from missile and rocket pieces. In another location, Israelis built a menorah using fragments from an Iranian ballistic missile fired at Israel a few months ago.

This amazing capacity to drive out darkness takes us back over centuries. The main reason for Hanukkah celebrations, of course, is the victory of the ancient Maccabees over the Seleucid Syrian King Antiochus in 164 B.C. History is replete with facts that the small nation of Israel and its people have overcome the worst circumstances—from Roman rule and the Babylonian captivity to the Holocaust—and, I believe, will do the same in their present-day war against the world’s biggest terror network. This will be the outcome, despite the Islamic Regime’s leaders and proxies in the Middle East having spread their wicked tentacles across the globe, reaching into universities, praising Hamas in the streets, and yes, many pastors and churches remaining silent and fearful. 

However, Israel’s obvious warring enemies—or those who are apathetic, or mentally scarred by propaganda—easily forget that Israel is eternal. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob created and designed Jews to bless the world with redemption and rescue for those who believe in Jesus, our Jewish Messiah. In Isaiah 62, verses 1-4, God makes Himself clear: For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate.

Forgetfulness also extends to the fact that God invested His own words to the world through His chosen people. The Bible, written through Jews, for Jews, and to Jews was extended to us as non-Jews grafted into the olive tree roots of Judaism. In the New Testament, God transformed Saul on the road to Damascus, struck him blind, healed him, then renamed him Paul. This brilliant Jewish scholar, intent on murdering Jewish believers in Jesus, was transformed and commissioned by God to take the Good News to the Gentiles.

Today, lawlessness and the wars on the ground are manifestations of spiritual warfare in the heavens, good against evil. It is easy to fall into depression or despair hearing the news, which is filled with a Hitler-like propaganda against Israel that leads to inaction. We believers in Jesus, our Jewish Messiah, would do well to renounce these emotions. Instead, we should focus on God’s thousands of years preserving His Jewish people, and, for that matter, rescuing us from our own personal challenges. Israeli stamina is a role model for the world—if the world would only grasp that truth.

Like the ancient Maccabees, Israel is victorious on fronts far beyond what was thought possible in their seven-front war for the last 15 months. As an aside, in John 10:22-23, the apostle reported the only passage in the Bible about Jesus attending the Feast of Dedication in the Second Temple. The Maccabees had reclaimed and cleansed it hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth. I daresay our Savior, the King of Kings, rejoiced in the Maccabees’ victory.

More good news for 2025 emerged in the U.S. Congress. You may be surprised to know that our 119th Congress is deemed the most pro-Israel in history. On January 2, 2025, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) reported that 348 pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans—plus the leadership teams of both parties—were sworn in as members of Congress. Included in the success are Mike Johnson’s reelection as Speaker of the House and that two members of the notoriously antisemitic “Squad” no longer serve as members of Congress. These successes rest in large part on Americans who are dedicated to consistently interacting with members of Congress—to educate others and urge them to support Israel—which provides mutual security benefits to both countries.

Please do not mistake the good news here as downplaying the reality of war and the many challenges that lie ahead. Boosting our prayers, matched with our actions, is a necessity. Once again, I am sending out a plea for every reader to include in-person and social media advocacy for Israel in your New Year’s resolutions.

Israel advocacy is part of honoring God in His eternal plans for Israel, yet we have an important role to play in the here and now.

Social media advocacy is simple. It is not time-consuming. Here are several of my favorites: CBNIsrael.com, AlIisrael.com, Israel21c.org, ICEJ.org, CAMERA.org, and IDSF.org. Explore one, then forward one fact/article to correct lies about the Holy Land with truth. If every reader decides to pass on a fact a week, a bigger cadre of truth tellers will emerge.

We welcome you to join our CBN Israel team this week to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem using Psalm 122:6.

Prayer Points:

  • Pray for Israel to continually carry the lights of her patriarchs.
  • Pray for wisdom and health for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  • Pray for more mental health providers for Israelis.
  • Pray for Christians to join an army of media truth-tellers.

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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Easing Loneliness for Holocaust Survivors

They escaped a world that was hunting them down. Since World War II, multitudes of Jewish people who survived the Holocaust have found a haven in Israel. But those who managed to live through that horrific genocide are facing new challenges as they grow older. As of 2024, about 133,000 Holocaust survivors reside in the Holy Land.

Many of these vulnerable senior citizens are living at or below the poverty line—and struggling to keep up with ever-rising costs for medications, groceries, and rent. Some have difficulty understanding Hebrew, which makes it hard to connect with others, obtain necessities, and navigate what can seem to be a complex bureaucracy.

Thousands of these survivors deal with another critical problem: crushing loneliness. They have lost many friends and loved ones over the years and must deal with isolation that affects their physical and mental health.

But caring people like you are there for these precious seniors. Donor gifts enable CBN Israel to partner with the Jewish Agency in offering an innovative program that matches Holocaust survivors with caring young adults who receive training and college scholarships as part of their volunteer commitment.

Thanks to the kindness of generous friends like you, these elderly people now have warm companionship as they receive help with errands, chores, and accessing benefits, services, and community activities that enrich their quality of life.

Yosef, an active 91-year-old whose entire family was murdered in the Holocaust, was teamed with Amit, a graduate student—and the two have become special friends. “We talk about all the issues of the world,” Yosef says. “When Amit comes to visit me, the room is filled with so much light!”

This is just one of the many ways you can be a blessing Holocaust survivors through CBN Israel. You can also reach out to many other people in need with food, finances, and essentials, and letting them know they are not alone.

Please join us in extending a hand to others!

GIVE TODAY

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Biblical Israel: Caesarea

By Marc Turnage

The book of Acts mentions Caesarea a number of times. In Caesarea, the Gospel came to the Gentiles for the first time as Peter proclaimed Jesus to the God-fearing Roman Centurion Cornelius and his family, who subsequently received the Holy Spirit as the Jews had (Acts 10). 

The grandson of Herod the Great, Agrippa I, died in Caesarea, an event related in Acts and by the first century Jewish historian Josephus (Acts 12:19-23; Josephus, Antiquities 19.343-350). Paul sailed to and from Caesarea on multiple occasions (Acts 9:26-30; 18:22; 27:2). Paul also remained in Caesarea under house arrest, where he faced the Roman Procurators Felix and Festus, as well as the great-grandson of Herod the Great, Agrippa II, and his sister Bernice, before he sailed to Rome appealing to Caesar (Acts 23:23-27:2).

While Paul found himself under house arrest in Caesarea, Luke—the author of Luke and Acts— was part of Paul’s company, yet he could move freely throughout the land of Israel. It seems reasonable that while he resided in the land of Israel, he came in contact with the material he used to write his life of Jesus and the first part of the book of Acts, before he joined the story in Acts 16 (see Luke 1:1-4).

Herod the Great built up a small Phoenician port named “Strato’s Tower” into the second-largest harbor in the Mediterranean, which he named after his friend and benefactor Caesar Augustus. Around the harbor, which he called Sebastos, Augustus’s Greek name, he built a city with a palace, stadium, theater, and a temple to Augustus. The city continued to grow and expand, reaching its height in the late Roman and Byzantine eras (third through seventh centuries). 

After the death of Herod in 4 B.C., the territory of Caesarea fell to his son Archelaus (Matthew 2:22). Rome, however, removed Archelaus from power in A.D. 6 at the request of his Jewish subjects. Rome annexed his territory and brought it under direct Roman rule, which took the form of Roman prefects. These provincial governors, like Pontius Pilate, resided in Caesarea as it became the headquarters and administrative center for the Roman governors. 

Archaeologists uncovered a dedicatory inscription of a small temple to the Roman Emperor Tiberias by the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate. This inscription actually provides an important window into the psychology of Pilate, who went to excessive lengths to put himself in good favor with the emperor.  

The First Jewish Revolt against Rome (A.D. 66-73) broke out in Caesarea as tensions between the local Jews and Gentiles boiled over. At the conclusion of the revolt, the Roman general Titus forced 2,500 Jewish prisoners of war to fight to the death in the stadium of Caesarea as part of his victory games.

Caesarea played an important role in the history of the Church Fathers. Origen (A.D. 185-254) taught 23 years in Caesarea, where he established a library. Eusebius used the library of Caesarea to write his Ecclesiastical History. 

Marc Turnage is President/CEO of Biblical Expeditions. He is an authority on ancient Judaism and Christian origins. He has published widely for both academic and popular audiences. His most recent book, Windows into the Bible, was named by Outreach Magazine as one of its top 100 Christian living resources. Marc is a widely sought-after speaker and a gifted teacher. He has been guiding groups to the lands of the Bible—Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy—for over twenty years.

Website: WITBUniversity.com
Facebook: @witbuniversity
Podcast: Windows into the Bible Podcast

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Weekly Devotional: Pursued by God

We are often told to “pursue God” and “draw near to God.” The Bible encourages it: “Your face, LORD, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8 NKJV). The Bible makes clear that God can be found by those who pursue Him. So, at times, the action falls upon us to pursue God. 

The Bible also makes clear, however, that God pursues us: “You hunt me like a lion” (Job 10:16 HCSB). The God of the Bible does not sit idle waiting for us to approach Him; He is not passive. Rather, He pursues us.

The writer of Psalm 23 expresses God’s active pursuit of His people with the phrase, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (verse 6). Many translations read, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,” and while this is an accurate literal translation, it fails to capture the essence of the language.

First, the term “mercy” carries a deeper sense than a passing feeling. In Hebrew the word refers to God’s covenantal mercy, something that is sure and certain. It is not dependent upon a capricious emotion but is bound to God’s covenant with His people.

Also, the psalmist is not saying that the goodness and mercy of God follow after me as something I leave in my wake, nor does he mean that God’s goodness and mercy follow me, chasing me but never able to catch me.

The term used by the psalmist, usually translated as “follow,” is the Hebrew word radaf, a military term meaning to “pursue with the intent of overtaking.” In other words, God’s goodness and mercy pursue me aggressively, as an army does its fleeing foe, seeking to surround me and overtake me. 

Quite often, the cares of life can be overwhelming. When we approach God, He can feel distant and far off. The God of the Bible, however, is One whose covenant mercy pursues us daily. He pursues us. And that is a comforting feeling. He not only asks us to seek Him, but He seeks after us.

Today, will we allow ourselves to be found by Him?

PRAYER

Father, open my eyes to all of the ways You are pursuing me. May Your goodness and covenant mercy surround me. May I also be aware that You actively pursue all people, as You do me. Amen.

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Root & Branch: The New Olive Tree Dream Team

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

I recently interviewed two remarkable friends whom I greatly admire, who are inaugurating an inspiring new project in Israel aptly named Root & Branch. Between November 17-27, 2024, they brought 18 Christian volunteers to Israel to help with the olive harvest—a trip with new dimensions and unexpected inspirations.

First, let me introduce Iranian-American Marziyeh Amirizadeh and Israeli-American Jonathan Feldstein, before outlining the surprises—both planned and sacred—with their newly formed Root & Branch project. The two connected on Marziyeh’s first trip to Israel in March 2023. Their friendship has since propagated Root & Branch, a collaboration that is expanding the profound truth and symbolism of Israel’s ancient olive tree.

The olive tree reflects the ancient Jewish faith described by the Jewish Apostle Paul in Romans 11, where he expressed that Christians are grafted into the covenant that God made with the Jewish people, that the root supports the branch.

Jonathan, a modern Orthodox Jew who is a father and grandfather, made Aliyah to Israel in 2004. He launched a non-profit U.S. foundation in 2017, Genesis 123, with the goal of building bridges between Jews and Christians to benefit Israel through cooperative projects and to build friendships. He is known for his podcast Inspiration from Zion—broadcast in 100 nations—along with almost too many cooperative projects to name. These include Run for Zion, raising money to help persecuted Pakistani Christians, warm jackets for Israel Defense Forces, and outreach to displaced Israeli families during the ongoing war. In 2023, he published Israel the Miracle to celebrate Israel’s 75th modern anniversary, which featured prominent pro-Israel Christian leaders. Jonathan is a gifted, energetic organizer and a prolific, sought-after media personality.

     

Marziyeh, who was born and grew up in Iran, encountered the Lord Jesus in a vivid dream. Her passion to share her faith with the Iranian people later manifested in her visionary idea: a covert distribution of 20,000 Bibles under the cover of darkness into mailboxes and other locations mostly in Tehran, Iran’s capital. Although sharing her faith was, and is, a capital crime instituted by the oppressive Islamic Regime, Marziyeh gave out the Bibles for three years.

Marziyeh was finally arrested and condemned to Iran’s notorious Evin prison, one of the world’s worst places to be incarcerated. Although suffering the traumas of food deprivation, abuse, and threats to execute her by hanging, amid the unimaginable horrors as a persecuted Christian, Marziyeh voiced her love and unwavering faith with the other imprisoned women.

Within these dark, dank, and putrid prison cells, God cultivated a church and new believers. Some were executed and some survived. After nine months, in 2009 Marziyeh was miraculously released following worldwide prayers and intervention from the U.S., U.N., and Vatican. In 2011, she immigrated to the United States and in 2016 became a citizen. Marziyeh has been interviewed in the media countless times in prominent outlets such as Fox & Friends, Mike Huckabee’s show, The Times of London, CBN News, Israeli TV, and more. You may read more in her books, Captive in Iran and A Love Journey with God, via her U.S. non-profit, NewPersia.org.

Marziyeh had longed to go to Israel since she met the Jewish Savior in the Islamic Republic years ago. Walking in Jesus’ footsteps gave her new dreams and plans. When Jonathan interviewed her, their friendship began, resulting in the cooperative project between Genesis 123 and NewPersia.org. Marziyeh founded NewPersia.org to advocate on behalf of persecuted Christians, empowering oppressed women, and dedicated to restoring relationships between Persians, Jews, and Christians. 

As an Israeli, Jonathan admits that he “knew nothing about harvesting olives or making oil,” and Marziyeh knew she “could not do the project alone living in America.” With her big-picture vision for the trip and Jonathan’s expertise to make it happen on the ground, their cooperation began what I call “The Olive Tree Dream Team.”

The Root & Branch harvesting took place in Ashkelon National Park, southwest of Ashkelon on the Mediterranean and north of Gaza. Jonathan explained, “Imagine harvesting olives from trees hundreds of years old and near a 3,500-year-old Canaanite gate in the national park.” Often hearing the artillery of war in the background, Marziyeh observed that none of the team became afraid and she herself firmly trusted Jesus for safety as in her past. Jonathan noted that an 18-member group was “considered big during the war” and drew the attention of many inquisitive and appreciative Jews.

On November 18, the first morning of harvesting, a rainbow appeared in the Israeli skies. Marziyeh viewed it as an affirmation from God for Root & Branch. A second rainbow then appeared at the end of their day. For Marziyeh, the two rainbows held enormous meaning. The rainbows appeared exactly 15 years after her release from Evin Prison on November 18, 2009! When Jonathan shared the meaning of the number 18, life, Marziyeh was filled with gratitude once again—for her salvation and for God sparing her physical life.

After harvesting, the team shared meals with Israelis. The group met with one family whose loved one is still held captive in Gaza. Marziyeh grasped their hands and prayed for them with a deeply personal understanding as a former prisoner of the Islamic Regime. Another evening, the team hosted a meal for an elite IDF unit assigned in Gaza. Afterwards Marziyeh shared with the soldiers explaining, “I grew up in Iran under the Islamic Regime. I became a Christian and I was imprisoned. I want to apologize to you for having to leave your families to fight the Regime.” The IDF commander, who identified himself as a Christian, thanked her: “What you said and prayed as an Iranian, my soldiers will remember as long as they live.” 

The Root & Branch team experienced amazing and varied moments. One rainy harvesting day, an Israeli official, Avi Dichter, came to greet them. A member of the Knesset, the agriculture minister gave them an excellent security briefing. Dichter is also the former head of Shabak, Israel’s General Security Service.

When Jonathan was researching a place to have the 1,000 kilos (2,204 pounds) of harvested olives pressed into oil, an earlier contact told him about a small olive press business in Latrun, about 15 miles west of Jerusalem.

Another sacred surprise occurred when they met the owner, an Arab Christian! He was excited to meet Marziyeh, Jonathan, and the Christian volunteers. He revealed that he too was a Christian. The olive presses were quite noisy but fascinated the group, who watched the entire process until the flavorful oil was ready. Jonathan took a video you may watch here.

The added dimension of an Arab Christian, with an Iranian Christian and a modern Orthodox Jew, can only be described as the hands of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob shaping the Root & Branch outreaches into an endeavor far beyond what was earlier envisioned.

Marziyeh’s vision extends to “not only building friendships between Jews and Christians but also restoring the friendship between Persians and Israelis. The combination is powerful.” She is quick to educate others, telling them that the “Iranian people themselves love Israel.”

When our lunch and interview concluded, Jonathan pulled out a bottle of their freshly harvested olive oil. I took a small piece of bread for a taste. Yes, it was truly more dynamic than any I have ever tasted. Plans will take place for anointing oil and other products to bless Israeli families who are rebuilding their lives. The Root & Branch collaboration promises to ripen into a powerful crop of friendships that will have a world-changing impact.

Jonathan and Marziyeh are already planning their next Root & Branch trip for 2025, during the October/November olive harvest time. Jonathan has received more than 100 inquiries so far and anticipates that busloads of volunteers will participate, including pastors and their tours—even if just for a day.

For more information, please email Root & Branch at rootandbranchisrael@gmail.com or visit their website: www.rootandbranchisrael.com.

Please join our CBN Israel team in prayer for Root & Branch, recalling Zechariah 4:10 (NLT): Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”

Prayer Points:

  • Pray for the new seeds scattered by Root & Branch.
  • Pray for Marziyeh and Jonathan as they plan the next mission.
  • Pray for the Arab Christian businessman and his community.
  • Pray for Jonathan, his family, and Israel—now under fire for almost 15 months.

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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