May 26, 2025 • 18 mins
# 157 - Jonathan: Son of Saul - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Jonathan steps into battle with courage and faith, while his father Saul wavers under pressure, grasping for control in the face of fear. This episode explores how a leader’s choices shape not just their own legacy, but the hearts of the next generation.
Episode 157 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”
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:
(01:15) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(02:08) Jonathan: Son of Saul
(11:45) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the Chosen People. The crowd erupted into a
cacophony of praise. Trumpets blared, and the voices of the
people rose like a storm. Long live the King, they shouted,
Long Live King Saul. Saul lifted his blade high and bellowed,
(00:20):
his voice, rolling across the forest and into the camp beyond.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Fight you, mighty men on a troll. Why does one
nation under God the Lord It's conquered kings and topple
towers for you? Did you whine for a king like children?
When nehash came. You did not call on the Lord
(00:46):
to save you. No, you asked for a man. And
here he is the king you demanded.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
For the first time, the seed of us took root
in Saul's heart. He wondered if Samuel had ever truly
wanted him to be king, or if the old prophet
was secretly praying for his failure.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
When children thrive, it's a mark of honor for their parents. Shelloh,
my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel,
i'm l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews,
and welcome to the Chosen People. Today we get to
meet the brave, bold and pure son of Saul, Jonathan.
His appearance in One Samuel thirteen one to five is
(01:40):
very revealing. It reveals how absorbed King Saul has already become,
and it reveals how little regard Saul has for the
triumphs of others. And what does it mean to live
in your father's shadow? What does it mean to thrive
despite a parent's reluctance to encourage us? In Jonathan's resolve
(02:01):
and pure heart, we find encouragement for how to deal
with very difficult relationships.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
The forge burned hot, glowing like the heart of a
dying star, the iron within pulsing with heat. As the
blacksmith worked tirelessly, his hammer ringing against the anvil. The
scent of molten metal and charred leather filled the air
as he affixed each scale, layering them onto the thick
(02:31):
breastplate in an intricate pattern. Finally, he dipped his brush
into a part of molten gold and traced each iron
scale with careful precision. When he finished, the armor gleamed
like the sun itself, a masterpiece of craft and wealth.
Saul held the breastplate before him, his fingers tracing the
(02:54):
golden filigree. The weight of it was immense, but it
did not burden him. It emboldened him.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
Now there will be no mistaking who is king when
I merchant a battle.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
The attendant strapped the armor to his chest, tightening the
leather straps across his back. It fit him perfectly. He
stood before the polished bronze mirror, adjusting the way his
sword hung at his hip, admiring how the gold caught
the light. For a moment he let himself believe he
(03:30):
had been made for this, made to be seen, made
to be adored, made to be the one who would
lead Israel into an era of strength. Then a messenger
entered with a message.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
My King, the Philistines have formed a garrison in Geber Geber.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
They were meant to be heading toward mcmash. Are you
certain they have occupied it completely?
Speaker 5 (03:53):
Yes, my lord, they met no resistance. The inhabitants were
unprepared the Philistines and just took it as if it
were their own.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Saul clenched his jaw. Two thousand men had marched with
him to Mickmash, waiting for the inevitable clash against a
Philistine host if they were fortifying at Geeber. Instead, the
enemy's intentions had shifted.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Are they advancing?
Speaker 5 (04:19):
Not yet, my lord? But but what your son Jonathan
has already marched to meet them, with the thousand men
you placed under his command.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Saul's blood turned to ice. How do you know this?
Speaker 5 (04:33):
Jonathan sent me himself, my king. As soon as he
heard the Philistines had taken the city, he led the
men south. They're already there.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Saul's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. He
felt the weight of his crown pressing against his skull.
His son was bold, too bold.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Jonathan is out numbered three to one.
Speaker 5 (04:55):
How could he be so stupid? Huh boh? We marched
to his eid Abner. Ready are men? We ride at dawn?
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Forgether?
Speaker 1 (05:05):
As his officers rushed to obey, Saul took a final
glance at the mirror. He would need to finish his
armor before they set out. The Philistine garrison burned like
a beacon in the dark. Torches and firelight glowed against
the night sky. The air smelled of roasted meat and
(05:26):
spiced wine. As the soldiers feasted, reveling in their effortless victory.
Drunken laughter carried across the camp careless and unhurried. The
Philistines didn't need to fight for Geber. The Hebrews had
let them take it like frightened children. But Jonathan had
been watching. Neck deep in the swamp. The prince stood motionless,
(05:51):
the mud clinging to his skin like a second layer
of armor. He had spent the last hours watching the camp,
counting every free soldier, tracking every change in the watch.
They were sloppy, arrogant. Their patrols were predictable. They did
not believe an attack would come false. As the last
(06:14):
rotation of guards marched into place, Jonathan waded silently back
to his men upstream. Hidden among the stony hills, his
thousand soldiers crouched in wait, silent and still beneath the
cold glow of the moon. There were no fires, no
banners waving, nothing to alert the Philistines of their presence.
(06:37):
Jonathan emerged from the water, caked in mud. His men
wrinkled their noses at the stench, but he grinned, unbothered.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
The Lord has favored us, brothers. They outnumber us two
to one. Good odds for God's chosen people.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
The men chuckled. Jonathan was not their king, but they
followed him, as if he were not out of duty
or fear, but out of trust. Jonathan knelt in the dirt,
and his commanders followed, leaning in as he traced the
plan into the soil.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
The southern entrance is well guarded, too well, with the
stream curves around the western edge. That side is unmanned.
The swamp ends less than fifty yards from their walls.
They were not expecting attack from there.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
The commanders nodded. The plan was set. Jonathan stood, raising
his sword. The moon cast a silver gleam along its edge.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
For too long the Philistines have stolen from us. They
have taken our land, our children, our women. No more,
no more waiting, no more fear. Tonight we fight.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
A quiet, but fierce resolve filled the ranks. They were ready.
Jonathan sheathed his sword and led his men back into
the water. Dawn crept over the hills, casting long shadows
through the trees. The garrison still burned, its fires flickering low.
(08:10):
The last of the night watch was retiring, the new
guard taking their places. Lazy and unprepared, Jonathan watched patiently,
Just when the first rays of dawn glared through the
cracks of the garrison. Jonathan stood now. The prince burst forward.
(08:30):
Water and mud sprang around him as he surged toward
the walls. His men followed. Within seconds, they had cleared
the swamp, and before the first guard even had time
to call out, Jonathan's sword was at his throat. The
Philistine crumpled. Jonathan did not slow. His blade danced, cutting
(08:51):
through flesh and bone, each strike swift and merciless. He
was not the tallest of men, nor the strongest, but
none in Israel matched his sword work. He moved like
a storm, cutting down every Philistine that dared stand before him.
Behind him, his men swarmed the camp, striking from all sides.
(09:14):
The Philistines scrambled for their weapons, but they had been
caught unprepared. Panic overtook them. By the time the sun
had fully risen, the enemy was broken. Jonathan stood at
the gates, panting, his sword dripping red. He moved through
the city, cutting the bonds of the captives and returning
(09:35):
them to their homes. None of them knew he was
the prince, none of them needed to. Saul's army reached
giber as the smoke still curled into the sky from
the hills. They looked down at the battlefield. The garrison
had fallen and the Philistine banners lay trampled in the dirt.
(09:57):
Saul narrowed his Eyesonathan one. The men settled their camp
atop the hills while Saul sent scouts ahead. They returned quickly,
confirming Jonathan's victory. Saul smiled. He puffed out his chest.
Sitting taller atop his horse, he rode into the city
(10:19):
with his men behind him, banners waving, trumpets blaring. His
voice boomed as he laughed, arms outstretched.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Let all the Hebrews hear of our victory.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Let the Philistines quake and fear at our strength.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
The men cheered. Jonathan, kneeling beside an injured soldier, looked up.
The son caught his father's new armor, the gold blinding
in the morning light.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Ah, Father, you came.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Saul dismounted, clapping his son on the back.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Ah, the Philistines will learn that Israel is not quake.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
This victory will bring more men to our army. The
men thought bravely.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Today.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Father should be proud. However, there are some men who
are gravely wounded and in need.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Of Saul ignored his son and turned away, calling forth
his messengers.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Take trumpets to every city, Let all of Israel know
that I have won this battle.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
The messengers ran swiftly, and by nightfall every village and
town spoke of Saul's great triumph. None spoke of Jonathan.
Jonathan did not mind. He had never fought for glory.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
The scene opens with victory, yet it feels strangely hollow. Jonathan,
Saul's son, boldly strikes against the Philistines, securing a significant
triumph for Israel. Yet when the trumpets sound and it's Saul,
not Jonathan, who takes credit, instead of celebrating his son's courage,
Saul overshadows him, claiming the victory for himself. Saul's action
(12:12):
is subtle but deeply revealing, and it teaches us something
very important. Still today, parenthood carries a sacred responsibility to nurture,
to encourage, and to uplift. Our children are our legacy,
and when they thrive, it's our triumph too. Each success
(12:32):
that they achieved should make us proud, and each step
forward that they bravely take should fill our hearts with joy.
But Saul's insecurity robbed him of this joy. Rather than
proudly lifting up Jonathan. He was jealous, he placed himself
in the spotlight. This revealed how fragile his own ego was.
(12:56):
Imagine how Jonathan must have felt in that moment. His
courage overshadowed his victory, quietly pushed aside. He had done
something remarkable, something worthy of praise, yet it wasn't his
name that was being lifted by the crowds. How many
times have we, maybe unintentionally, done the same to our
(13:16):
own children, driven by our own insecurities, maybe our fears
or our unresolved dreams, have we overshadowed their achievements, causing
us to miss precious opportunities for us to build them up.
My Abbah, my father, Rabbi Riil Eckstein of Blessed Memory,
(13:37):
was the most wonderful man. With faith and with courage.
He started the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and
he historically united Christians and Jews under one banner, focusing
on what we have in common instead of what draws
us apart. What he accomplished was praiseworthy beyond words. But
(14:00):
Mayappa's success with the Fellowship never inflated his ego as
a father. My father encouraged me every step of the way.
He uplifted me. He equipped me not just to carry
his mantle, but to pave my own way with this
ministry that he started. He would always say to me, Elle,
(14:21):
You're going to bring the Fellowship to new and higher
heights than I ever could have. He would always even
say to me, Elle, you're so much smarter than me.
I never thought that way, I never believed it. I
always looked at my father as the smartest man in
the world. But hearing him say that to me, he
gave me the confidence to be able to take hard
(14:41):
steps to continue his legacy and continue the life saving
work of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. And
I look at how he lifted me up, and I
think that's what we as parents are meant to do.
Our legacies live on through our children. Jewish tradition LI
likens eternal life to a tree. Even as the tree
(15:03):
itself fades, its seeds take root and flourish, creating new life.
Our children, too, are seeds that are planted in hope
and with faith that they will continue our values, that
they will only get stronger and more faithful with time.
Our children carry our legacy forward far beyond our own lives,
(15:26):
and that's why it's so important to always be asking ourselves.
Can our children grow under our shade? Or do they
have to go out and forge their own path, taking
with them everything we taught them as parents. It's tempting
to view our children's successes as reflections on ourselves instead
(15:46):
of as their own independent victories. Let's resist this temptation.
Each of our children deserves room to grow and flourish
in their own right without being overshadowed by our need
for affirmation or control role. Let's choose to be cheerleaders
of our children's needs. Let's celebrate their victories openly and joyfully,
(16:07):
and let's lift them up, guide them with wisdom, and
let them shine brightly, even brighter than ourselves. Remember, when
our children flourish, that is our true legacy, and every
moment that we spend nurturing, supporting, and empowering them plant
seeds for generations to come. We build our legacies not
(16:28):
by taking credit and seeking recognition, but by generously and
joyfully passing the torch forward. By allowing our children to
stand tall and proud, we are making sure that the
values we live by only get better with each generation.
So let's now, my friends, let's commit ourselves to being
(16:49):
our children's encouragers. They're cheerleaders and steadfast supporters. Let's be
parents who generously affirm, who willingly step aside, and who
joyfully celebrate the accomplishments of those that we cherish most.
They might choose their own path, but we can be
there rooting them on every step of the way. Shellon,
(17:11):
my friends, from here in the Holy Land. May your children,
May your grandchildren, May all the generations that follow thrive
in the light of your unconditional support.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
You can listen to The Chosen People with Yle Eckstein
add free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot
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possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabaga, and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, Edited by
(17:48):
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Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(18:09):
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(18:31):
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Previously on the Chosen People. The crowd erupted into a
cacophony of praise. Trumpets blared, and the voices of the
people rose like a storm. Long live the King, they shouted,
Long Live King Saul. Saul lifted his blade high and bellowed,
(00:20):
his voice, rolling across the forest and into the camp beyond.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Fight you, mighty men on a troll. Why does one
nation under God the Lord It's conquered kings and topple
towers for you? Did you whine for a king like children?
When nehash came. You did not call on the Lord
(00:46):
to save you. No, you asked for a man. And
here he is the king you demanded.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
For the first time, the seed of us took root
in Saul's heart. He wondered if Samuel had ever truly
wanted him to be king, or if the old prophet
was secretly praying for his failure.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
When children thrive, it's a mark of honor for their parents. Shelloh,
my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel,
i'm l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews,
and welcome to the Chosen People. Today we get to
meet the brave, bold and pure son of Saul, Jonathan.
His appearance in One Samuel thirteen one to five is
(01:40):
very revealing. It reveals how absorbed King Saul has already become,
and it reveals how little regard Saul has for the
triumphs of others. And what does it mean to live
in your father's shadow? What does it mean to thrive
despite a parent's reluctance to encourage us? In Jonathan's resolve
(02:01):
and pure heart, we find encouragement for how to deal
with very difficult relationships.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
The forge burned hot, glowing like the heart of a
dying star, the iron within pulsing with heat. As the
blacksmith worked tirelessly, his hammer ringing against the anvil. The
scent of molten metal and charred leather filled the air
as he affixed each scale, layering them onto the thick
(02:31):
breastplate in an intricate pattern. Finally, he dipped his brush
into a part of molten gold and traced each iron
scale with careful precision. When he finished, the armor gleamed
like the sun itself, a masterpiece of craft and wealth.
Saul held the breastplate before him, his fingers tracing the
(02:54):
golden filigree. The weight of it was immense, but it
did not burden him. It emboldened him.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
Now there will be no mistaking who is king when
I merchant a battle.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
The attendant strapped the armor to his chest, tightening the
leather straps across his back. It fit him perfectly. He
stood before the polished bronze mirror, adjusting the way his
sword hung at his hip, admiring how the gold caught
the light. For a moment he let himself believe he
(03:30):
had been made for this, made to be seen, made
to be adored, made to be the one who would
lead Israel into an era of strength. Then a messenger
entered with a message.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
My King, the Philistines have formed a garrison in Geber Geber.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
They were meant to be heading toward mcmash. Are you
certain they have occupied it completely?
Speaker 5 (03:53):
Yes, my lord, they met no resistance. The inhabitants were
unprepared the Philistines and just took it as if it
were their own.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Saul clenched his jaw. Two thousand men had marched with
him to Mickmash, waiting for the inevitable clash against a
Philistine host if they were fortifying at Geeber. Instead, the
enemy's intentions had shifted.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Are they advancing?
Speaker 5 (04:19):
Not yet, my lord? But but what your son Jonathan
has already marched to meet them, with the thousand men
you placed under his command.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Saul's blood turned to ice. How do you know this?
Speaker 5 (04:33):
Jonathan sent me himself, my king. As soon as he
heard the Philistines had taken the city, he led the
men south. They're already there.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Saul's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. He
felt the weight of his crown pressing against his skull.
His son was bold, too bold.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Jonathan is out numbered three to one.
Speaker 5 (04:55):
How could he be so stupid? Huh boh? We marched
to his eid Abner. Ready are men? We ride at dawn?
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Forgether?
Speaker 1 (05:05):
As his officers rushed to obey, Saul took a final
glance at the mirror. He would need to finish his
armor before they set out. The Philistine garrison burned like
a beacon in the dark. Torches and firelight glowed against
the night sky. The air smelled of roasted meat and
(05:26):
spiced wine. As the soldiers feasted, reveling in their effortless victory.
Drunken laughter carried across the camp careless and unhurried. The
Philistines didn't need to fight for Geber. The Hebrews had
let them take it like frightened children. But Jonathan had
been watching. Neck deep in the swamp. The prince stood motionless,
(05:51):
the mud clinging to his skin like a second layer
of armor. He had spent the last hours watching the camp,
counting every free soldier, tracking every change in the watch.
They were sloppy, arrogant. Their patrols were predictable. They did
not believe an attack would come false. As the last
(06:14):
rotation of guards marched into place, Jonathan waded silently back
to his men upstream. Hidden among the stony hills, his
thousand soldiers crouched in wait, silent and still beneath the
cold glow of the moon. There were no fires, no
banners waving, nothing to alert the Philistines of their presence.
(06:37):
Jonathan emerged from the water, caked in mud. His men
wrinkled their noses at the stench, but he grinned, unbothered.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
The Lord has favored us, brothers. They outnumber us two
to one. Good odds for God's chosen people.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
The men chuckled. Jonathan was not their king, but they
followed him, as if he were not out of duty
or fear, but out of trust. Jonathan knelt in the dirt,
and his commanders followed, leaning in as he traced the
plan into the soil.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
The southern entrance is well guarded, too well, with the
stream curves around the western edge. That side is unmanned.
The swamp ends less than fifty yards from their walls.
They were not expecting attack from there.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
The commanders nodded. The plan was set. Jonathan stood, raising
his sword. The moon cast a silver gleam along its edge.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
For too long the Philistines have stolen from us. They
have taken our land, our children, our women. No more,
no more waiting, no more fear. Tonight we fight.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
A quiet, but fierce resolve filled the ranks. They were ready.
Jonathan sheathed his sword and led his men back into
the water. Dawn crept over the hills, casting long shadows
through the trees. The garrison still burned, its fires flickering low.
(08:10):
The last of the night watch was retiring, the new
guard taking their places. Lazy and unprepared, Jonathan watched patiently,
Just when the first rays of dawn glared through the
cracks of the garrison. Jonathan stood now. The prince burst forward.
(08:30):
Water and mud sprang around him as he surged toward
the walls. His men followed. Within seconds, they had cleared
the swamp, and before the first guard even had time
to call out, Jonathan's sword was at his throat. The
Philistine crumpled. Jonathan did not slow. His blade danced, cutting
(08:51):
through flesh and bone, each strike swift and merciless. He
was not the tallest of men, nor the strongest, but
none in Israel matched his sword work. He moved like
a storm, cutting down every Philistine that dared stand before him.
Behind him, his men swarmed the camp, striking from all sides.
(09:14):
The Philistines scrambled for their weapons, but they had been
caught unprepared. Panic overtook them. By the time the sun
had fully risen, the enemy was broken. Jonathan stood at
the gates, panting, his sword dripping red. He moved through
the city, cutting the bonds of the captives and returning
(09:35):
them to their homes. None of them knew he was
the prince, none of them needed to. Saul's army reached
giber as the smoke still curled into the sky from
the hills. They looked down at the battlefield. The garrison
had fallen and the Philistine banners lay trampled in the dirt.
(09:57):
Saul narrowed his Eyesonathan one. The men settled their camp
atop the hills while Saul sent scouts ahead. They returned quickly,
confirming Jonathan's victory. Saul smiled. He puffed out his chest.
Sitting taller atop his horse, he rode into the city
(10:19):
with his men behind him, banners waving, trumpets blaring. His
voice boomed as he laughed, arms outstretched.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Let all the Hebrews hear of our victory.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Let the Philistines quake and fear at our strength.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
The men cheered. Jonathan, kneeling beside an injured soldier, looked up.
The son caught his father's new armor, the gold blinding
in the morning light.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Ah, Father, you came.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Saul dismounted, clapping his son on the back.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Ah, the Philistines will learn that Israel is not quake.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
This victory will bring more men to our army. The
men thought bravely.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Today.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
Father should be proud. However, there are some men who
are gravely wounded and in need.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Of Saul ignored his son and turned away, calling forth
his messengers.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Take trumpets to every city, Let all of Israel know
that I have won this battle.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
The messengers ran swiftly, and by nightfall every village and
town spoke of Saul's great triumph. None spoke of Jonathan.
Jonathan did not mind. He had never fought for glory.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
The scene opens with victory, yet it feels strangely hollow. Jonathan,
Saul's son, boldly strikes against the Philistines, securing a significant
triumph for Israel. Yet when the trumpets sound and it's Saul,
not Jonathan, who takes credit, instead of celebrating his son's courage,
Saul overshadows him, claiming the victory for himself. Saul's action
(12:12):
is subtle but deeply revealing, and it teaches us something
very important. Still today, parenthood carries a sacred responsibility to nurture,
to encourage, and to uplift. Our children are our legacy,
and when they thrive, it's our triumph too. Each success
(12:32):
that they achieved should make us proud, and each step
forward that they bravely take should fill our hearts with joy.
But Saul's insecurity robbed him of this joy. Rather than
proudly lifting up Jonathan. He was jealous, he placed himself
in the spotlight. This revealed how fragile his own ego was.
(12:56):
Imagine how Jonathan must have felt in that moment. His
courage overshadowed his victory, quietly pushed aside. He had done
something remarkable, something worthy of praise, yet it wasn't his
name that was being lifted by the crowds. How many
times have we, maybe unintentionally, done the same to our
(13:16):
own children, driven by our own insecurities, maybe our fears
or our unresolved dreams, have we overshadowed their achievements, causing
us to miss precious opportunities for us to build them up.
My Abbah, my father, Rabbi Riil Eckstein of Blessed Memory,
(13:37):
was the most wonderful man. With faith and with courage.
He started the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and
he historically united Christians and Jews under one banner, focusing
on what we have in common instead of what draws
us apart. What he accomplished was praiseworthy beyond words. But
(14:00):
Mayappa's success with the Fellowship never inflated his ego as
a father. My father encouraged me every step of the way.
He uplifted me. He equipped me not just to carry
his mantle, but to pave my own way with this
ministry that he started. He would always say to me, Elle,
(14:21):
You're going to bring the Fellowship to new and higher
heights than I ever could have. He would always even
say to me, Elle, you're so much smarter than me.
I never thought that way, I never believed it. I
always looked at my father as the smartest man in
the world. But hearing him say that to me, he
gave me the confidence to be able to take hard
(14:41):
steps to continue his legacy and continue the life saving
work of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. And
I look at how he lifted me up, and I
think that's what we as parents are meant to do.
Our legacies live on through our children. Jewish tradition LI
likens eternal life to a tree. Even as the tree
(15:03):
itself fades, its seeds take root and flourish, creating new life.
Our children, too, are seeds that are planted in hope
and with faith that they will continue our values, that
they will only get stronger and more faithful with time.
Our children carry our legacy forward far beyond our own lives,
(15:26):
and that's why it's so important to always be asking ourselves.
Can our children grow under our shade? Or do they
have to go out and forge their own path, taking
with them everything we taught them as parents. It's tempting
to view our children's successes as reflections on ourselves instead
(15:46):
of as their own independent victories. Let's resist this temptation.
Each of our children deserves room to grow and flourish
in their own right without being overshadowed by our need
for affirmation or control role. Let's choose to be cheerleaders
of our children's needs. Let's celebrate their victories openly and joyfully,
(16:07):
and let's lift them up, guide them with wisdom, and
let them shine brightly, even brighter than ourselves. Remember, when
our children flourish, that is our true legacy, and every
moment that we spend nurturing, supporting, and empowering them plant
seeds for generations to come. We build our legacies not
(16:28):
by taking credit and seeking recognition, but by generously and
joyfully passing the torch forward. By allowing our children to
stand tall and proud, we are making sure that the
values we live by only get better with each generation.
So let's now, my friends, let's commit ourselves to being
(16:49):
our children's encouragers. They're cheerleaders and steadfast supporters. Let's be
parents who generously affirm, who willingly step aside, and who
joyfully celebrate the accomplishments of those that we cherish most.
They might choose their own path, but we can be
there rooting them on every step of the way. Shellon,
(17:11):
my friends, from here in the Holy Land. May your children,
May your grandchildren, May all the generations that follow thrive
in the light of your unconditional support.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
You can listen to The Chosen People with Yle Eckstein
add free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot
Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made
possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabaga, and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, Edited by
(17:48):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltefianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(18:09):
written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special
thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller,
and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the
Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store
and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People
(18:31):
with Yeile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review,
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