# 134 - Samson Part I: The Prophecy - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, a miraculous birth sets the stage for Samson—a man called to greatness before he ever draws breath. But in Judges 13, we begin to see that unguarded strength can become a danger not just to our enemies, but to ourselves.

Episode 134 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(0_:__) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(0_:__) Samson Part I: The Prophecy

(__:__) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 133 - Jephthah: The Foolish Oathkeeper - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Jephthah, a rejected son turned warrior, makes a reckless vow in desperation—one that will cost him far more than he ever imagined. In this heartbreaking story from Judges 10–12, we confront the danger of misunderstanding God’s heart, and the tragedy that follows when fear replaces faith.

Episode 133 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray

Today's opening prayer is inspired by ,

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(00:58) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(01:48) Jephthah: The Foolish Oathkeeper

(20:18) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 132 - Abimelech: King of Trees - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Abimelech, the son of Gideon, seizes power through betrayal and bloodshed, murdering his brothers to claim a crown never meant to be. In this haunting tale of thorns and ambition, Israel learns the cost of choosing a king without fruit—only fire.

Episode 132 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:13) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:03) Abimelech: King of Trees

(35:03) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 131 - Gideon Part III: The Compromised Leader - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Gideon descends into pride and vengeance, punishing his own people and building a rival altar that draws Israel into idolatry. What began as a story of faith ends in compromise, revealing the subtle, destructive power of unchecked success.

Episode 131 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:42) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:41) Gideon Part III: The Compromised Leader

(32:57) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 130 - Gideon Part II: The Dwindled Army - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Gideon’s victory over Midian should have ended in gratitude—but instead, it sparked a descent into pride, vengeance, and idolatry. In this episode, we witness how a humble servant of God becomes a compromised leader, revealing the danger of forgetting who truly gives the victory.

Episode 130 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:46) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:23) Gideon Part II: The Dwindled Army

(25:01) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 129 - Gideon Part I: The Weakling - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Gideon hides from his enemies—and from his calling—when God meets him with an unexpected name: "mighty warrior." In this episode, we follow Gideon's journey from fear to obedience as he begins to realize that God's strength is made perfect in his weakness.

Episode 129 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:24) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:24) Gideon Part I: The Weakling

(32:48) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 128 - Deborah Part II: The Woman of Strength - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Deborah leads Israel into battle alongside Barak, trusting in God's promise of victory over Sisera’s army of iron chariots. When Sisera flees, the final blow comes not from the battlefield, but from the hands of Jael—fulfilling God’s word through Deborah.

Episode 128 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 145:18, "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth."

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:39) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(03:12) Deborah Part II: The Woman of Strength

(22:35) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 127 - Deborah Part I: The Prophetess - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, receives a word from God and calls Barak to lead an army against Sisera, the commander of Canaan’s forces. When Barak hesitates and asks Deborah to go with him, she agrees—but tells him the honor of victory will go to a woman.

Episode 127 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray

Today's opening prayer is inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:36) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:48) Deborah Part I: The Prophetess

(26:02) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 126 - Shamgar: The Unsung Hero - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, an army of 600 Philistines threatens Israel, and a simple farmer named Shamgar rises up with nothing but an oxgoad and unshakable faith. In this gripping tale of humble courage, God uses the ordinary to bring extraordinary deliverance.

Episode 126 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/

Today's opening prayer is inspired by 2 Corinthians 12:9 , “The Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:14) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:03) Shamgar: The Unsung Hero

(13:39) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 125 - Ehud: The Hidden Blade - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Israel falls into darkness under Moabite oppression, and an unlikely hero rises from the margins. In this gripping tale of stealth and sacrifice, Ehud delivers justice with a hidden blade—forever altering the course of a nation.

Episode 125 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.

Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up

For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray

Today's opening prayer is inspired by Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.

Show Notes:

(01:17) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(03:10) Ehud: The Hidden Blade

(31:55) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.