ARTICLES

By Stephen Faircloth

High upon the limestone cliffs of Mount Arbel, the land of Galilee unfolds in breathtaking detail. From this height, visitors see the fertile plain of Gennesar below and the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee beyond. It is here that the Gospels tell us 95 percent of Jesus’ ministry took place. To stand on Arbel is to glimpse the stage on which much of His teaching, healing, and miraculous works unfolded.

Arbel may be the same Beth-Arbel mentioned by the prophet Hosea (10:14). The present site, however, took shape at the end of the second century B.C. Jewish settlers, likely part of the Hasmonean expansion into Galilee, built their homes here. Rabbinic tradition even names a prominent sage, Nittai of Arbel, who later served as head of the Sanhedrin. This shows that from early on, the region carried both religious and cultural weight within Jewish life.

The people of Arbel prospered in agriculture. The valley below was especially fertile, producing flax for linen, along with grain, olives, and grapes. Archaeological excavations have uncovered wine and olive presses as well as pools likely used to process flax. Even in the shadow of conflict and empire, Arbel was known for its productivity and resilience.

Yet Arbel also carries a darker history. It was the scene of fierce clashes between Herod and his rivals in the late first century B.C. Rebels sought refuge in the caves carved into the cliffs, where they made their desperate stand. Later, during the First Jewish Revolt, Josephus himself fortified these same caves. Their remains can still be seen today. The cliffs, beautiful yet sheer, remind us of both the strength and the vulnerability of those who once sought safety there.

Centuries later, a synagogue was built in Arbel. Though simple compared to Herod’s fortresses, it stood as a gathering place for worship and teaching. Its ruins remind us that faith endured here long after empires rose and fell.

For believers today, Mount Arbel offers more than history. It offers perspective. From its heights we see the land where Jesus walked, taught, and called His disciples. The cliffs remind us that while kingdoms and rebels built fortresses that crumbled, the kingdom Jesus proclaimed endures forever.

When you look out over your life, what do you see? Are you clinging to crumbling fortresses of your own making, or do you see the enduring kingdom of God? Standing at Arbel invites us to lift our eyes beyond the struggles of this world and fix them on Jesus, whose ministry still transforms lives today.

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

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Ki Teitzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19). Read on Shabbat, September 6, 2025 / 13 Elul 5785. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them; you shall take them back to your brother. And if he does not live near you, or you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him” (Deuteronomy 22:1-2).

This commandment teaches that responsibility in God’s community goes beyond refraining from harm. It requires us to act with care and intentionality toward the well-being of others. Returning a stray animal may seem small, but it is no small matter to the one who lost it. In God’s eyes, such an act of attention and kindness reflects the deeper character of His people.

When Moses gave this instruction, he reminded Israel that the covenant was not just about worship at the sanctuary or great moments of sacrifice. It was also about how people treated each other in daily life. A community where neighbors return what is lost, rather than looking away, is one where trust is preserved, dignity is honored, and love is made visible.

In our own lives, the spirit of this commandment still applies. Perhaps we do not find a neighbor’s ox wandering the road, but we do encounter people who have lost something of value, whether a belonging, an opportunity, or even their peace of mind. Faithfulness calls us not to ignore these needs but to step in with care, even when it requires time or effort.

There are moments when we may be tempted to say, “It is not my problem,” and walk past. Yet God’s word teaches us otherwise. His people are not meant to live with indifference. Each act of care, no matter how ordinary, bears witness to a God who restores the lost and heals the broken.

If you are in a place of blessing, consider how your stability can serve others. A listening ear, a helping hand, or an act of fairness can become a form of returning what is lost. In these ways, we mirror the heart of God who restores His children to wholeness.

This week, ask yourself where you might put this teaching into practice. Perhaps you can return something misplaced, repair a relationship that has drifted, or restore someone’s sense of hope with an encouraging word. When we choose to notice and respond, we embody the covenant call to love our neighbor as ourselves.

PRAYER
Lord, open my eyes to see what is lost around me. Give me the courage and compassion to restore what I can, whether possessions, peace, or dignity. Let my actions reflect Your faithfulness and love. Amen.

By Stephen Faircloth

The Ivy League has long been regarded as a cradle of future leaders, shaping both minds and culture across the nation. In recent years, however, these campuses have also become contested spaces where Jewish students increasingly encounter antisemitism in the form of harassment, exclusion, and silence from those in authority. In response, The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and Regent University have joined with JewBelong to launch a billboard campaign that refuses to remain quiet.

The effort features JewBelong’s signature pink and white billboards placed in prominent locations at Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania. These signs are not simple advertisements. They are public declarations that antisemitism has no place in institutions that claim to foster intellectual freedom and moral responsibility.

Each billboard delivers a clear message about the dangers of silence. Choosing not to speak against hatred is itself an act of complicity. The goal is to spark conversation, challenge apathy, and embolden students, faculty, and administrators to stand as visible allies with their Jewish peers.

Although antisemitism is a national concern, the Ivy League carries unique symbolic weight. These universities are incubators of cultural influence, and the ideas formed there often ripple outward into American society. When antisemitism festers unchecked in such settings, it shapes not only the immediate campus climate but also the perspectives of future leaders who carry those attitudes into wider spheres.

By bringing these messages directly into the Ivy League, the campaign speaks to the next generation of policymakers, educators, and cultural voices. It underscores the truth that moral courage is essential to genuine leadership.

JewBelong has used bold public messaging in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles, yet this Ivy League initiative is about more than geography. It is about addressing silence where it is most damaging. On campuses that claim to uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion, the lack of strong responses to antisemitic incidents undermines those very principles.

The partnership with CBN and Regent University expands the campaign’s reach through television and digital platforms, ensuring that its impact extends far beyond the billboards themselves. This effort is an invitation to Christians and Americans everywhere to recognize that standing against antisemitism is not a partisan or sectarian matter. It is both a human responsibility and a spiritual calling.

Though the Ivy League campaign is central, it is also part of a wider movement. With parallel outreach in the South through Southeastern Conference universities, the campaign seeks to build a coalition of students and alumni united in rejecting hatred. Each new campus engaged adds strength to a growing chorus of voices calling for courage, solidarity, and love of neighbor.

The message is urgent and unmistakable. Silence is no longer an option. In the face of rising antisemitism, particularly within institutions charged with shaping the leaders of tomorrow, communities must choose action over complacency. Every billboard stands as a reminder that defending the Jewish people is not only a moral duty but also a reflection of God’s call to love and protect our neighbors.

If you are a Christian who believes in standing with Israel and the Jewish people while confronting antisemitism, lies, and misinformation, we invite you to join CBN Israel in making a meaningful difference today.

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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.

After nearly two years of ongoing war, life remains uncertain for many families across Israel. Though the headlines may fade, the daily struggles of vulnerable communities persist. In cities like Beersheva, where missile attacks have struck hard in recent months, countless people are still trying to recover.

Among those affected most are single mothers, elderly widows, refugees, and those living with the scars of war. And with jobs lost and schools repeatedly disrupted, many parents continue to face impossible choices, especially when it comes to putting food on the table for their children.

But because of caring friends like you, they are not facing this hardship alone. Thanks to the compassion and generosity of donors, CBN Israel’s food distribution team continues to partner with local ministries across the country to deliver groceries and hygiene items. In Beersheva, mobile distribution centers are set up to meet families right where they are, bringing practical help and renewed hope.

Mariana Gol, who leads a local aid group, described the impact donors are making. She said, “Because of everything our families have been through over the past two years, we are trying to support and encourage them. And CBN Israel continues to bring food and essentials for them. Some have not been able to work during the war and found themselves in an even greater economic struggle.”

Your gift makes it possible for families who have endured trauma and displacement to receive the urgent care they need. Your support helps restore dignity by providing food, clothing, housing, financial aid, counseling, and compassion.

Please join us in standing with Israel’s most vulnerable people and showing them that they are not forgotten.

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By Stephen Faircloth

High above the barren shores of the Dead Sea, the rocky plateau of Masada rises like a sentinel in the desert. Though it receives barely an inch of rain each year, Herod the Great transformed this remote outcrop into one of the most impressive fortress-palaces of the ancient world.

Herod spared no expense. He built two palatial complexes, one cascading dramatically down the northern slope, the other on the western side. Both contained storerooms, living quarters, Roman-style bathhouses, and lavish decorations fitting for a king. Ingenious channels and cisterns captured scarce rainfall, storing millions of gallons of water. Even in the wilderness, Herod ensured he could enjoy pools and gardens.

Yet Masada’s fame does not rest on Herod’s luxuries. Its name is forever tied to the First Jewish Revolt. According to Josephus, Jewish rebels known as the Sicarii sought refuge on Masada after Jerusalem’s destruction. When the Roman Tenth Legion laid siege and finally breached the fortress, they discovered the defenders had chosen death over slavery. Though historians debate the exact details, the story endures as a haunting symbol of desperation, courage, and loss.

Archaeology confirms the presence of those rebels. Herod’s opulent rooms were repurposed for survival. A donkey stable was converted into a simple synagogue, where fragments of scrolls were discovered. Some contained portions of Scripture, others preserved Jewish writings such as Ben Sira. Even in their final days, these men clung to the Word of God as their anchor.

Masada is a place of contrasts. It tells of human ambition in Herod’s stone palaces. It speaks of human defiance in the rebels’ last stand. And it whispers of faith in the scrolls left behind, even as hope seemed lost.

The lesson of Masada is clear. Human fortresses, no matter how strong, cannot ultimately save us. Walls crumble. Armies march. Even the most secure refuge can fall. But Scripture reminds us of a greater truth: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Unlike Masada, His protection never fails.

Trusting in God as our true refuge means more than just calling on Him in times of crisis. It is choosing daily to lean on Him instead of our own strength, to surrender our fears instead of building walls around them, and to let His Word be the anchor of our hearts. Where Masada crumbled, God’s presence remains unshakable.

Where do you look for safety when life feels uncertain? Are you building your own fortress, or are you learning to rest in God as your refuge?

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.

This week’s Torah reading is Parashat Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9). Read on Shabbat, August 30, 2025 / 6 Elul 5785. The following is a special devotional drawn from this week’s reading.

“Appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality; and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous” (Deuteronomy 16:18-19).

Moses lays before Israel the foundational call for justice. Leadership, in God’s eyes, begins with integrity. Judges and officials are entrusted not to wield power for themselves, but to uphold righteousness without favoritism or corruption.

The portion continues with laws for kings, priests, prophets, cities of refuge, false witnesses, and warfare. Each is given to ensure accountability, to protect the vulnerable, and to remind Israel that no one stands above the law of God.

Justice is not a distant ideal; it is meant to be lived daily, in every town, family, and community. When rulers cling too tightly to power, or when compassion is sidelined for expedience, the entire nation and society suffers.

Shoftim reminds us that justice is not only the duty of leaders. It is a call upon every heart. How we treat coworkers, how we speak of neighbors, and how we handle resources all reveal whether we reflect the justice of God.

To act justly requires humility, vigilance, and courage. It means noticing the quiet needs around us, protecting those who cannot protect themselves, and speaking truth even when silence would be easier.

In our own lives, injustice can sometimes feel too large to confront, whether in society or within our own hearts. Yet Shoftim calls us to see that justice begins in the small choices.

Ask yourself: where can I uphold justice today? Perhaps in refusing to cut corners, in offering a fair word instead of gossip, or in welcoming someone who is often overlooked. These moments may seem small, but they are seeds of blessing, for each act of integrity reflects the heart of God.

If you are weary of injustice, do not lose hope. God calls His people to embody a different way. Even one choice to act with fairness and compassion can bear witness to His kingdom.

And if you are in a season of blessing, remember that gratitude must be joined with responsibility. To receive much is also to be entrusted with much, and justice is one of the surest ways we honor that trust.

This week, seek one intentional way to bring fairness into your space—at home, at work, or in your community.

Let your words and actions align with the vision God set before Israel: a people known not for power or wealth, but for righteousness, mercy, and truth.

PRAYER
Lord, please open my eyes to see injustice. Give me wisdom to act with fairness, courage to speak with integrity, and humility to walk in Your ways. Amen.