ARTICLES

By Stephen Faircloth

Many visitors to the modern State of Israel assume that the country’s current borders match the land described in the Bible. In reality, the geography of biblical Israel does not perfectly overlap with the modern nation. Even within Scripture, the boundaries of Israel shift during different historical periods.

For example, the Bible describes Israel at times as extending east of the Jordan River into the region of Gilead. Meanwhile, the far southern area of what is now modern Israel, stretching beyond the Beersheva basin toward the Gulf of Eilat, lay outside the central territory of biblical Israel. In biblical times, this area was known as the Wilderness of Zin and the Wilderness of Paran.

Yet this wilderness still played an important role in the story of God’s people. According to Numbers 13:21, it was from this region that Moses sent the spies to explore the Promised Land. In that sense, Moses stood in territory that today belongs to the State of Israel, though he had not yet entered the land promised to the people of God.

Modern place names can add to the confusion. Take the Negev as an example. Today the term often refers to the broad desert stretching south from the Hebron hills to Eilat. In the Bible, however, the Negev more specifically described the Beersheva basin and the southern edge of the hill country. Understanding these differences helps travelers better appreciate the landscape through which the biblical story unfolded.

One of the most striking features of this region is the Zin Valley. The riverbed running through it is usually dry, yet springs near the ancient Nabatean site of Avdat supply water throughout the year. In a land known for its harsh desert terrain, such sources of water were vital.

It was in this wilderness setting that a pivotal moment in Moses’ life occurred. In Numbers 20, the people of Israel cried out for water during their desert wandering. God instructed Moses to speak to the rock so that water would flow. Instead, in frustration, Moses struck the rock. Though water came forth, Moses’ disobedience carried consequences. God told him that he would not enter the Promised Land but would only see it from afar (Deuteronomy 34).

Water in the wilderness meant survival. Shepherds who guided their flocks through these barren landscapes had to know where water could be found. Their animals depended completely on them to locate hidden springs in a seemingly lifeless land.

Later desert dwellers such as the Nabateans mastered this same skill. Their capital at Petra became a center of trade partly because they developed advanced systems for collecting and storing precious water. Along the desert trade routes between Petra and the Mediterranean port of Gaza, Avdat served as one of their important stations overlooking the Zin Valley.

The Wilderness of Zin reminds us that even barren places can become settings for God’s work. The desert exposed the needs of the people of Israel and revealed the importance of trusting God’s guidance. In seasons when life feels dry and uncertain, the Lord remains the One who provides water in the wilderness and direction in unfamiliar terrain.

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.

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Scripture often paints the Promised Land as a place of abundance. Flowing streams, ripened grain, heavy clusters of grapes, olive groves, and herds in open pasture all testified to the goodness of God. It was a land where shepherd and farmer alike could thrive, a visible reminder of divine favor and provision from the Lord.

Yet Habakkuk foresaw a very different scene. The trees would stand bare. The vines would produce nothing. The fields would yield no grain, and the barns would echo with emptiness. The prosperity that once signaled blessing would vanish under the shadow of invasion and judgment. Because of the people’s persistent disobedience, devastation would sweep across the land.

Habakkuk did not deny the coming loss. He did not minimize the pain or pretend the crisis was small. Instead, he made a deliberate declaration: “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD.” His joy was not rooted in crops, livestock, or national security. It was anchored in the unchanging character of God.

We are quick to rejoice when our lives resemble a fruitful harvest. When relationships flourish, resources are steady, and prayers are answered in ways we hoped, praise comes easily. But what happens when the fields of our lives seem stripped bare? When opportunities dry up, health falters, or we suffer because of choices others have made?

Habakkuk reminds us that joy is not a reaction to abundance. It is a response of trust. He chose to rejoice in “the God of my salvation,” not in the gifts God provided. Even if everything visible was taken, the Lord Himself remained.

Our circumstances may shift suddenly. Security can disappear. Plans can unravel. Still, we are invited to make the same choice: to fix our confidence not on what is failing around us, but on the God who never fails. Joy becomes an act of faith, a steady declaration that our hope rests in Him alone.

When the harvest fails, God is still faithful. When the barns are empty, He is still our salvation. And that is reason enough to rejoice.

PRAYER

Father, when our fields seem barren and our efforts feel fruitless, help us fix our eyes on You. Teach us to rejoice not in temporary blessings, but in Your unchanging goodness. You are our salvation and our steady hope. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10). Read on Shabbat, February 28, 2026 / 9 Adar 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually” (Exodus 27:20).

Parashat Tetzaveh continues the instructions for the Tabernacle, focusing on the priesthood and the sacred garments worn by Aaron and his sons. The portion begins with the command to keep the lamp burning continually. This light, fueled by pure oil, symbolizes steady devotion and ongoing awareness of God’s presence. It is not a light that flickers occasionally, but one that is tended with care day after day.

The detailed description of the priestly garments reveals that worship involves preparation and intentionality. The breastpiece, the ephod, the robe, and the engraved stones each carry meaning. The names of the tribes are placed over the priest’s heart, showing that leadership in God’s presence requires compassion and responsibility. Service before God is both sacred and relational.

Tetzaveh reminds us that holiness is sustained through faithfulness in routine acts. The daily tending of the lamp, the offering of incense, and the wearing of sacred garments speak of constancy. Spiritual life is not built on rare moments of inspiration alone. It grows through steady obedience, quiet prayer, and faithful attention to what God has entrusted.

Some may long for dramatic experiences of faith, yet this portion points to the power of consistency. Light remains when oil is replenished. Relationship deepens when hearts are carried before God in prayer. Each small act of devotion strengthens the larger structure of worship. God values the daily offering as much as the extraordinary one.

For those feeling weary, this reading encourages perseverance. Continue tending the lamp. Continue showing up in prayer and service. God sees the quiet faithfulness that others may overlook. For those in seasons of energy and clarity, let your light shine steadily, guiding others and honoring the One who provides the oil.

As this Shabbat begins, reflect on what fuels your spiritual life. Consider one practice you can renew, whether gratitude, study, generosity, or prayer. Let your devotion be steady and sincere. Trust that the God who commanded the lamp to burn continually desires your heart to remain attentive and illuminated by His presence.

PRAYER
Lord, help me keep the light of faith burning in my life. Teach me to serve You with consistency, compassion, and devotion. May my heart remain attentive to Your presence each day. Amen.

Kibbutz Nirim was a peaceful community near Gaza’s border. But that changed when Hamas violently invaded on October 7 two years ago. Adele, a longtime resident, recalled the horror her family faced during the brutal onslaught:

“My three grandchildren were on that bed, and we told them, ‘Hide under the blanket. You’re going to hear a loud noise. Don’t come out from under the blanket, no matter what happens.’” Her son-in-law raised his gun, waiting until he saw the safe room door handle move—then he kicked open the door and shot the terrorist who was standing there.

On that day, she saw homes torched and in ruins. Five kibbutz members were murdered, and five hostages taken, with two killed in Gaza. Since then, residents were displaced, living as refugees in their own land…until now. 

Despite the trauma they experienced, Adele and many of her neighbors are returning to Nirim. They are committed to this once vibrant farming village of around 500 Israelis, including 130 children. But they faced big challenges. Hamas had destroyed so many buildings—including the community center, main kitchen, and the kibbutz store. How could they start over?

Thankfully, friends like you were there. Through CBN Israel, donors built them a new community center, with a dining hall, kitchen, and a grocery store. Life has gone from dark silence to the sounds of children playing, and meals being prepared in the new kitchen.

As more residents come back, having a central hub for fellowship has been a true blessing. Adele says, “Thank you for being such loyal friends!” And Michal, another resident, adds, “None of this could have happened without you believing in us and loving us… Thank you!”

Your gifts to CBN Israel can bless war victims with food, safe lodging, trauma therapy, and more—while providing ongoing aid to hurting families and the elderly.

Please join us as we stand with Israel’s people at this crucial time!

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By Stephen Faircloth

Roadways are among the most important features of biblical geography. They shaped where people lived, how cities developed, and who controlled trade and communication. To control a road was to control movement, influence, and power. Many biblical events unfolded not by accident, but because of where those roads led. When we overlook the geography, we often miss part of the story.

Jerusalem in the Old Testament period did not sit directly on a major international highway. The primary north-south route through the central hill country ran west of the city. Steep valleys and rugged terrain made direct access from east and west difficult. For that reason, the region of Benjamin just north of Jerusalem became crucial. It functioned as a crossroads where major routes converged. Anyone traveling east or west from Jerusalem first moved north to connect with those roads. Geography shaped opportunity.

By the New Testament period, however, Jerusalem’s prominence required better access to the Jordan Valley. A road developed between Jerusalem and Jericho, roughly twenty-three miles apart. The journey was dramatic. From about 2700 feet above sea level in Jerusalem, the road descended to nearly 850 feet below sea level at Jericho. Travelers moved from cool hill country to arid wilderness in a single day. The path wound through a canyon system east of Jerusalem, the largest branch known as Wadi Qilt.

Wadi Qilt carved a rugged corridor through the Judean wilderness. Its steep cliffs and narrow passes offered both shelter and danger. At its eastern mouth near Jericho stood Herod the Great’s winter palace. Josephus records that Herod died there in 4 B.C. His palace complex straddled the wadi, and he diverted its water to fill pools and baths, a display of luxury in the midst of desert barrenness.

This was not an obscure path. Jesus Himself likely traveled this route. Galilean pilgrims often journeyed south along the Jordan River, crossed near Jericho, and then ascended to Jerusalem through the canyon. When Luke records Jesus telling the story of a man “going down from Jerusalem to Jericho,” He places the parable within this very terrain. The winding road, isolated stretches, and rocky hiding places made it believable that robbers could strike. The Good Samaritan story is rooted in real geography.

The road through Wadi Qilt reminds us that God’s purposes often unfold along difficult paths. Pilgrims walked this descent and ascent to worship at the Temple. They passed royal palaces, harsh wilderness, and dangerous turns. Yet the road led to encounter with God.

Our own lives follow similar terrain. We travel through high places and low valleys, through stretches that feel exposed and uncertain. At times the descent is steep and the wilderness dry. But the road still leads somewhere. The God who met pilgrims on that ancient path meets us on ours.

Biblical geography teaches us that location matters. So does direction. The question for us is not whether the road is easy, but whether it leads toward faithfulness. Even through wilderness canyons, God guides His people upward toward His presence.

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.

“O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!”

And You will not save?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

There are moments when the world feels unrecognizable. Violence fills the headlines. Injustice seems to prosper. The innocent suffer while the corrupt appear to flourish. In those moments, many people ask a question that echoes through the centuries: If God is powerful and loving, why does He allow this?

We often feel pressure to respond with neat theological answers. We speak of living in a fallen world or of God’s mysterious purposes. While those truths matter, they can sometimes sound distant from the ache people are actually feeling. What we rarely do is admit that we, too, have asked the same question. We hesitate to say aloud, “God, what are You doing?” as if such honesty might reveal weak faith.

Yet the prophets show us another way.

Habakkuk looked at the moral decay of Judah and cried out to God in anguish. He saw injustice, strife, and violence, and he did not soften his words. He brought his confusion directly to the Lord. Even more troubling, when God answered, He revealed that He would use the Babylonians to judge Judah. The Babylonians were ruthless and cruel. How could God use a nation even more wicked to correct His own people?

Habakkuk did not pretend to understand. He did not silence his questions. But neither did he walk away. Instead, he chose to stand and wait. “I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected” (Habakkuk 2:1). That posture reveals the heart of true faith. He wrestled with God, yet he remained before God.

Robust faith is not fragile. It can handle hard questions. It can endure tension between what we believe about God and what we see with our eyes. Faith does not require pretending that evil is less evil or that suffering is less painful. It invites us to bring our confusion into the presence of the One who rules over history.

Habakkuk never received a full explanation of God’s ways. Instead, he received a deeper call to trust. By the end of his prophecy, he declared that even if the fields produced no food and the flocks disappeared, he would still rejoice in the Lord. His circumstances had not changed, but his confidence in God had matured.

We live in a time when it is easy to grow cynical or numb. Yet God welcomes our honest questions. He does not turn away from the one who cries out in confusion. He invites us to stand watch, to wait, and to trust that He is at work even when we cannot trace His hand.

When you find yourself asking, “God, what are You doing?” do not silence the question. Bring it to Him. Stand on the rampart of prayer. Wait for His voice. Faith that wrestles and waits is faith that endures.

PRAYER

Lord, we confess that we do not always understand what You are doing in our world or in our lives. Teach us to bring our questions honestly before You without abandoning our trust. Help us to stand watch, to wait for Your voice, and to rest in the truth that You are sovereign and good. Strengthen our faith to endure even when answers are slow in coming. Amen.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19). Read on Shabbat, February 21, 2026 / 2 Adar 5786. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).

Parashat Terumah marks a profound shift in the wilderness journey. After liberation and covenant, God invites Israel to build a dwelling place for His presence. The sanctuary is not constructed from obligation but from willing hearts. Gold, silver, fabric, and skill are offered freely. God does not demand what is forced. He desires gifts shaped by generosity and devotion.

The instructions for the Tabernacle are detailed and precise. Measurements, materials, and design reflect care and intentionality. The Ark, the Table, the Menorah, and the altar each serve a purpose within the sacred space. Through these instructions, God teaches that worship involves both heart and craftsmanship. Holiness is expressed not only in prayer but also in the thoughtful use of time, talent, and resources.

Terumah reminds us that God chooses to dwell among His people. The Holy One of Israel does not remain distant. Instead, He invites participation in creating a place where His presence is recognized and honored. The sanctuary becomes a visible sign that God walks with His people even in the wilderness. His presence is not confined to a mountain but accompanies them in their journey.

This portion invites reflection on what we are building with our own lives. Each person contributes something to the dwelling place of God. Our words, actions, generosity, and creativity become part of a larger work that reflects His glory. When we offer willingly, we participate in shaping sacred space wherever we are.

Some may feel they have little to offer. Terumah reminds us that God values every sincere gift. Others may recognize abundance in their hands. This portion calls for thoughtful generosity that honors God and strengthens community. The sanctuary was built through shared devotion, and so too our communities grow when each person contributes faithfully.

As this Shabbat arrives, consider what offering you can bring. It may be time, encouragement, service, or prayer. Offer it with joy. Let your life become a dwelling place for God’s presence through acts of faithfulness and care. Trust that when you give willingly, God draws near and makes His presence known among His people.

PRAYER
Lord, thank You for choosing to dwell among Your people. Teach me to offer my gifts with a willing heart and to build spaces that honor Your presence. May my life reflect generosity, devotion, and trust in You. Amen.

By Arlene Bridges Samuels

The world’s population now exceeds eight billion and continues to grow. In the Middle East alone, seventeen Arab nations account for more than 515 million people. By contrast, Israel has just reached a population of about ten million, including a Jewish majority of slightly more than seven million.

Yet this small nation, the world’s only Jewish state, faces intense international outrage over its policies concerning Judea and Samaria. That fury persists even though this region is the very terrain where Abraham walked, where King David ruled, and where Israel’s prophets proclaimed God’s word. Many of the world’s 193 nations are not merely criticizing policy decisions. They are attempting to dictate Israel’s future and, in some cases, to deny its right to exist.

The Bible’s narrative makes clear that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob established eternal promises connected to both the Jewish people and the land of Israel. Through the Jewish people, God transmitted the Scriptures and His redemptive plan to the world. Israel is the birthplace of the Christian faith. Judea and Samaria form the core of that biblical inheritance. No other nation holds that spiritual birth certificate.

Why, then, has there been such international uproar over recent decisions by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset?

As in any democracy, Israel’s policymaking process includes vigorous debate. In July 2025, 71 of the 120 Knesset members voted in favor of a declaration supporting increased Israeli sovereignty in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley. The declaration affirmed that this region is the historic, cultural, and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people, where the foundations of Jewish faith and identity were laid. It referenced ancient cities such as Hebron, Shechem, Shiloh, and Beit El as living expressions of continuous Jewish presence, not mere archaeological relics.

That same month, the Knesset passed a preliminary reading of opposition bills seeking to extend Israeli legal sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. Though contentious, the measures advanced for further deliberation in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The proposed language stated that the law, jurisdiction, administration, and sovereignty of the State of Israel would apply to Judea and Samaria.

Criticism intensified again on February 9, 2026, when Israel’s security cabinet approved measures to strengthen administrative and legal oversight in the region. These measures removed bureaucratic barriers to land purchases, allowing Israelis to buy property in areas long restricted under older legal frameworks. The stated goal was to normalize civilian life for more than 500,000 Jewish residents of the heartland.

To understand Israel’s reasoning, historical context is essential. Following the 1948 War of Independence, Jordan controlled Judea and Samaria from 1948 to 1967. During that period, Jordanian law prohibited land sales to Jews. After neighboring Arab states launched the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel regained control of the territory and reunified Jerusalem. However, many of the Jordanian legal structures remained in place for decades. The recent Knesset actions seek to address those outdated laws and align governance with Israel’s sovereignty as a Jewish state.

International reaction has been swift and severe. Jordan’s Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs warned that silence toward Israel would replace international law with what it called the law of the jungle, where the strong devour the weak. Yet historical memory complicates such claims. After 1948, Jordan controlled the region from Jenin to Hebron and Jerusalem’s Old City, expelling Jewish residents and barring Jews from praying at the Western Wall. During its rule, fifty-eight synagogues were destroyed or desecrated, and the ancient Mount of Olives cemetery was vandalized.

In 2026, Arab states have condemned Israel’s administrative decisions as a dangerous escalation and a threat to Palestinian self-determination. Hamas denounced the move as a violation of international law. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation accused Israel of targeting Palestinian existence and legitimate rights.

Yet Palestinian political history reveals deep contradictions. In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, evacuating 8,000 Jewish residents. In 2007, Palestinians elected Hamas, which constructed an underground tunnel network estimated between 350 and 450 miles in length. Previous Palestinian leaders rejected multiple offers for statehood. The rise of Hamas entrenched a leadership committed not to coexistence but to confrontation.

Today, some Palestinian representatives promote a proposed 162 article draft constitution, describing their vision as democratic and based on rule of law and human dignity. However, Middle East scholar Bassam Tawil has noted that while Palestinian leaders often deny Jewish ties to the land and envision a Jew free state, more than two million Muslim Arabs live peacefully as citizens within Israel. Although Palestinian authorities pledged to reform the pay-for-slay program, financial rewards to terrorists and their families reportedly continue, with stipends reaching as high as 3,000 dollars per month in an economy where the average salary is about 1,000 dollars.

Tawil has described the proposed constitution as dangerous and delusional, arguing that Palestinian leadership has not reconciled itself to Israel’s right to exist or abandoned its long-standing goal of eliminating the Jewish state.

For many believers, the issue ultimately returns to covenant. In Genesis 15:18, God declared to Abram, later named Abraham, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.” That promise forms the biblical foundation for Jewish connection to the land.

Israel’s policies in Judea and Samaria are debated fiercely on the world stage. Yet the deeper question remains whether historical reality and biblical continuity will be acknowledged or denied. In a region crowded with nations and populations, Israel stands alone as the seat of the biblical heartland.

Our CBN Israel Team welcomes you to pray with us this week.

Prayer Points:

• Pray that Christians and Jews will stand united behind Israel as it updates outdated legal frameworks in Judea and Samaria.
• Pray that believers will educate themselves and others about the biblical and historical significance of the heartland.
• Pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s strength, safety, and wisdom.
• Pray for peace and for solutions that uphold Israel’s security and future. 

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.

At 84 years old, Golda has endured a lifetime marked by hardship and loss. Born during World War II, she lost her father in the battle for Leningrad and barely survived the chaos that followed. Her mother, sick and destitute, carried two small children through hunger, bombings, and the devastation of war.

“The sadness of war never really left us,” Golda recalls. “My mother was always worried about how to feed us. She lost everything, even the photographs of my father.”

Years later, Golda immigrated to Israel, hoping for a new beginning. Life was difficult, but she found strength in her faith and her new home. “In Ukraine, I was bullied for my name, Golda,” she says softly. “Only in Israel did I finally feel I could be myself.”

Now a widow living alone, Golda’s challenges have only grown with age. Her small apartment was once flooded, leaving her without a working washing machine for years. She washed her clothes by hand, struggling daily with loneliness and physical pain.

When CBN Israel learned of her situation, friends like you made it possible to bring help and hope. Through the support of generous donors, Golda received a new washing machine and essential repairs to her apartment. “I’m so happy,” she says with a smile. “It’s wonderful. Something so simple has made such a difference.”

Today, in a nation still recovering from war, Golda treasures the kindness shown to her. “It is very hard to be alone,” she says. “At my age, attention and kindness mean everything. Thank you for caring.”

Through CBN Israel, you can touch the lives of elderly Holocaust survivors and widows like Golda. Your gift provides food, home repairs, and comfort to those who feel forgotten. Together, we can remind them that they are loved and never alone.

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

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