# 137 - Samson Part IV: The Burned and Blinded - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Samson’s strength once shook kingdoms, but pride and desire led him to ruin, blindness, and chains. In his final moments, he finds redemption not through power, but through surrender to the God he had long forgotten.

Episode 137 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 James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

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:

(01:19) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(02:30) Samson Part IV: The Burned and Blinded

(26:25) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 136 - Samson Part III: The Wielder of the Jawbone - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Samson’s rage sets entire fields ablaze and turns a jawbone into a weapon of mass destruction. What begins as personal vengeance spirals into chaos—raising the question: when does justice become just another name for wrath?

Episode 136 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 Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

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:

(02:35) Intro with Yael Eckstein

(03:41) Samson Part III: The Wielder of the Jawbone

(22:51) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 135 - Samson Part II: The Lionslayer - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Samson slays a lion with his bare hands but can't control the desires that rule him. As his strength grows, so does his recklessness—turning a calling from God into a path of pride, betrayal, and revenge.

Episode 135 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 Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

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 II: The Lionslayer

(__:__) Reflection with Yael Eckstein

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

# 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.