00:00:00
Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people. Songs for deliverance fell upon the dust and pitch they worked in. Desperately, they sang to their God, appealing the promises he made their ancestors. The stars above seemed fixed in their indifference, and the nile flowed on, dark and unyielding. And yet in the hearts of Aaron and Miriam, a flicker of hope remained. For they knew that somewhere, beyond the veil of the scene and the unseen, beyond the power of pharaohs and the gods of Egypt, there was a god who listened, a God.
00:00:42
Speaker 2: Who remembered Moses.
00:00:49
Speaker 1: He turned a final corner and stopped his breath, stolen from his lungs. Before him was a tree, but not as any tree he had scene. It was engulfed in flames, a great burning bush that flared with a fierce, unnatural fire.
00:01:08
Speaker 3: Here I am.
00:01:10
Speaker 2: I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries and beheld their suffering. I have come to deliver them out of slavery and carry them to a land of promise, a vast and vibrant land heaving with life, a land flowing with milk and.
00:01:35
Speaker 3: Honey, so you will still send me.
00:01:41
Speaker 2: Take the staff in your hands and go. Go and behold my wonders. I shall be with you.
00:01:52
Speaker 1: And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the flame vanished, leaving nothing but the cool, empty air of the Kenyon. Moses was left standing alone, his heart heavy with both awe and dread. The memory of the encounter etched into his soul. He knew then that his life would never be the same again.
00:02:25
Speaker 4: When the divine voice whispers from the fire, will you have the courage to listen, to follow, to believe? Have you ever felt wholly unprepared for the task at hand? This week's episode finds Moses at a critical moment, facing his divine calling with trepidation. The Israelites, bound in slavery under Pharaoh's cruel reign, cry out for deliverance. Born among them, Moses is saved by the waters of denial, raised an Egyptian luxury, yet marked for even a purpose. After fleeing to the wilderness for his rash act of justice, he encounters God in the burning bush. God's voice commands him to return and liberate his people, but Moses hesitates. Plagued by doubt and fear, and we ask ourselves, can God use our flaws two to bring about freedom?
00:03:29
Speaker 1: Moses made his way back down the rocky path, his wayward lamb held firmly at his side. The sun had only just begun to ascend its first rays, stretching over the valley, painting the green plains in a wash of gold and namber. Yet this morning sunrise seemed pale and unremarkable to Moses. How could it compare to the searing brilliance of the burning bush. Moses gripped his hat tightly with one hand, his knuckles whitening, while with the other he released the lamb. It trotted back to its mother, oblivious to the divine encounter that had just taken place. Moses felt changed, transformed by his encounter with Ayam. He had once thought his life's course was set. He would herd sheep with his son's grow old alongside Zipporah, and eventually have his bones buried in Median's quiet soil. But such notions now seem childish. How could he return to that mundane existence after standing in the presence of the divine, after being given such a calling? How could he ignore the weight that now hung around his neck like a chain.
00:04:50
Speaker 3: Nothing will ever be the same.
00:04:53
Speaker 1: His hand absently ran through his short, graying hair as he looked out over the valley. The Medianite encampment stood like a blemish against the desert's vastness. Smoke from cooking fires curled up into the sky, and the faint sounds of life, children's laughter, the lowing of cattle, and the hum of daily chores carried on the wind. He would miss this place, he realized, he would miss the slow, steady rhythm of a shepherd's life and the simple love he had found in his wife and children. The thought of leaving it all behind gnawed at him. He hadn't even started his quest, and he was already pining after the life he'd lost.
00:05:38
Speaker 3: Why me, Lord, Why?
00:05:42
Speaker 1: But there was only silence. Moses sighed, stealed his resolve, and continued his descent back to camp. Moses walked into the camp. His steps were heavy and his brow furrowed, as if he bore the weight of the world on his shoulders. A swirl of emotions, fear, excitement, dread coursed through him, and it must have been plainly etched on his face. For Jethro greeted him with a bemused look.
00:06:15
Speaker 5: Now there's the look of a man who's seen a ghost. What's happened, my son?
00:06:21
Speaker 1: Moses pursed his lips, struggling to find the right words. How could he convey the enormity of what he had witnessed. Jethro's keen eyes studied him, his expression shifting from amusement to concern.
00:06:37
Speaker 5: Moses, I, I know you are not an eloquent man. Speak honestly and plainly, and I shall fill in the gaps.
00:06:46
Speaker 1: Moses wanted to tell him everything, but he found himself stumbling over the words in his mind. How could he explain what even he scarcely understood. Instead, he chose to give a veiled answer, a truth with many layers hidden beneath it.
00:07:04
Speaker 3: Jethrow, I have to return to Egypt.
00:07:07
Speaker 1: Jethrow's eyes widened in surprise, a grin tugging at his lips, as if he thought it a jest.
00:07:16
Speaker 5: Why would you return there? Oh? What's left for you in Egypt?
00:07:21
Speaker 3: I'm burdened by the people I left there. I want to see if my brothers are still alive. I have lived comfortably here under your leadership. It doesn't sit right with me that they're suffering?
00:07:34
Speaker 5: So what will you do about it? You'll leave and return? Or do you intend to stay there? Do you plan to be a slave among them?
00:07:45
Speaker 3: I plan to be a brother among them? The rest isn't quite clear.
00:07:53
Speaker 5: Why this sudden change, my son? What happened this morning?
00:07:58
Speaker 1: Moses side deeply and glanced back toward Mount Sinai. The morning mist clung to its slopes. For a fleeting moment, he doubted himself had it all been a dream? But he knew better. He felt it in his bones. The voice he had heard was real, and the calling upon his life was undeniable. There was no running from it now, no denying the truth of who he was and who he was meant to be.
00:08:30
Speaker 3: You told me that I would discover who I am here.
00:08:37
Speaker 2: I have.
00:08:39
Speaker 3: I am a Hebrew and belong with my fellow Hebrews. Whatever trials that arise as the result, I will bear.
00:08:48
Speaker 5: Ay. I see what of my daughter? What of my grandchildren? Half their blood as Hebrew, but their whole hearts are Midianite.
00:09:02
Speaker 3: They will go with me. I will lead them and keep them safe.
00:09:07
Speaker 5: There's that stammer again, What are you truly doing, Moses, what lies beneath the surface of all this?
00:09:17
Speaker 3: Jethro, I love you as a father. Please trust that I know what I'm doing. Allow me to go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they're still alive.
00:09:32
Speaker 1: Jethrow studied him for a long moment, searching Moses' eyes, as if seeking to unearth the deeper truths buried there. His skepticism slowly gave way to resignation. He stroked his beard, sighed heavily, and then, without warning, pulled Moses into a tight embrace.
00:09:54
Speaker 5: Go in peace, Moses. I pray you find what you're searching for.
00:10:03
Speaker 3: Thank you, Jethro, and good luck.
00:10:06
Speaker 5: Good luck for what hah, good luck convincing my daughter to uproot her life and take her children into almost certain peril. Good luck, my friend. You're not envy.
00:10:22
Speaker 1: Moses's throat tightened, and he looked past Jethro to where Zipporah was hanging clothes their son Elieza tied to her chest. He nodded to his father in law, squared his shoulders, and began walking toward her. Moses slowly approached his wife, taking her in for a moment. In the early light, the sun played upon her smooth ebony skin and bright smile. Her bright smile, the way she moved with grace, even in the simplest of tasks, remark minded him of everything he loved about her, and everything he loved about Median. She was his refuge, his anchor in a world that so often fell to drift. Without speaking, he picked up a few garments and began hanging them beside her. She smiled at him, but said nothing. They worked side by side in a comfortable silence, the quiet moments stretching between them like a thread pulled tort.
00:11:30
Speaker 3: I love the life we've created together, Ziberah. I cherish it as do I my love. I pray that our love will be able to withstand what's to come.
00:11:41
Speaker 1: Zipporah's brow furrowed slightly, her eyes narrowing in a mix of curiosity and concern.
00:11:49
Speaker 6: Am I talking to my husband or to my father? What's with the pretense and poetry?
00:11:55
Speaker 1: Moses chuckled, though his laugh was strained. He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently, which she could sense the tension in him. She slipped her hands free and placed them on her hips, her expression turning serious.
00:12:12
Speaker 6: Moses, what are you thinking.
00:12:14
Speaker 3: The God of my forefathers came to me this morning on the mountain.
00:12:18
Speaker 6: You mean the God of.
00:12:19
Speaker 3: Yes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He appeared to me in fire. He's chosen me, Zibrah. He's chosen me to return to.
00:12:30
Speaker 6: Egypt, return to Egypt to do what exactly.
00:12:34
Speaker 3: To set his people free, to lead them into the land he's promised to them. Why you, I asked the same question.
00:12:44
Speaker 5: I think.
00:12:47
Speaker 3: I think this has always been my destiny. This must be why I was spared all those years ago. This is why I survived the Nile and Pharaoh's dog pluck me out of the river. I was chosen for this.
00:13:04
Speaker 1: Zipporah's face remained calm, but her eyes were searching, probing his own. She wasn't angry, nor did she seem disappointed. Instead, she appeared to be wrestling with something deep inside. For a moment, Moses felt as though he were staring into a mirror, seeing his own doubts and fears reflected back at him. Finally, after a long silence, she spoke, I.
00:13:32
Speaker 6: Am yours, Moses, I and your children are yours. When do we leave?
00:13:39
Speaker 1: Relief washed over him like a cool breeze in the desert. He pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her close as if he could somehow squeeze the doubt and fear out of both of them. But he knew better the doubt would remain a shadow always at their backs. That night, they gathered what belongings they could carry and loaded them onto a donkey. They said their goodbyes and received blessings from the elders standing beside the flames under a canopy of stars, and before the first light of dawn broke the following morning, they departed, the sun rising behind them, casting a warm amber glow on the road ahead. It was as if the Lord himself had laid a golden path between Median and Egypt. Moses gripped his staff in one hand and the reins of the donkey in the other. Zipporah and Elieza rode atop the beast, while Gersham walked close behind, carrying a small pack. In the light of dawn, Moses whispered to the Lord, his voice heavy with uncertainty.
00:14:55
Speaker 3: What will I do? How will I do it?
00:14:59
Speaker 1: The wind whispered across the desert, cooling his flushed cheeks, and then as clearly as he had spoken from the burning bush, The Lord's voice came to him again.
00:15:11
Speaker 2: When you return to Egypt, perform the miracles I have put in your power. I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go.
00:15:23
Speaker 3: What do I tell him? How will I confront Rameses.
00:15:28
Speaker 2: Speak for me, Moses. It is not you who confronts him, but I, the Lord. Say to Pharaoh, Thus says the Lord, Israel is my first born son. Let my son go, that he may serve me.
00:15:51
Speaker 1: The wind churned up sand, and all of a sudden, the wind grew warmer. Moses squinted and shielded his face, and that he brood from among them. The Lord continued his declaration.
00:16:04
Speaker 2: Say to Pharaoh, if you refuse to let my son go, behold, I would kill your first bard son.
00:16:15
Speaker 1: The words fell like stones into Moses' heart, heavy and foreboding. In that moment, he began to understand what he had only glimpsed before. This God was not like the gods of Egypt. This God was mighty, unpredictable, a force both loving and terrifying. Moses realized then he had only begun to comprehend the full extent of the Lord's power and just how far he would go to redeem his people.
00:16:56
Speaker 4: Moses has found sanctuary in Midyan. Leeing Egypt, he has built a life for himself, marrying Sipora, tending to his father in law Jethro's Flox, and raising a family. Medion represents safety, stability, and a life removed from the struggles of his people, the Israelites, who are languishing under Pharaoh's oppression. Yet amidst this tranquility, God calls out to Moses from the burning bush. His command is very clear, return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of bondage. Imagine the weight of this commandment from heaven. Moses is asked to confront Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of the time, and demand the release of an enslaved people. He's to forsake his peaceful existence for a mission that's fraught with danger, on certainty and an overwhelming responsibility. And as Moses's task with this massive responsibility, he hesitates. Moses tries desperately to be relieved of this very challenging mission of convincing Pharaoh to let the people go. Verse ten reads like this, Moses said to the Lord, pardon your servant, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you've spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. Moses makes a pretty good argument, doesn't he. If Moses had a speech impediment, which this implies, or even if he wasn't just a very good talker, very good with words, how could he possibly be expected to convince the most powerful ruler in the whole world to do something that he didn't want to do. But then God responds to Moses and he says this, quote who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I? The Lord?
00:18:49
Speaker 3: End quote?
00:18:50
Speaker 4: You know, this conversation between God and Moses has a lot to teach us. Sometimes we think we're not talented enough, we're not worthy enough to do something that God is calling us to do. But as God says to Moses, as long as your task is a holy one, and as long as what you're doing is for a godly cause, then I God will support you and I'll help you. It really strengthens me. Doesn't this strengthen you? As I lead the fellowship here in the holy Land of Israel, I see so many people in need. I see people calling out for help, and I think, Lord, how can I do this? How can I help fulfill biblical prophecy to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to shelter the poor.
00:19:34
Speaker 3: But God always.
00:19:34
Speaker 4: Finds a way. Here in Israel, God has enabled the Fellowship to help hundreds of thousands of people who are poor or lonely, or ill, or in the frontlines of war. And I know, just as God told Moses, God is with me and the Fellowship, because our work is holy work. When Moses left Midion, it wasn't just a physical departure, an emotional and spiritual upheaval. Moses relinquished the known for the unknown. Many of us can relate to this scenario on a different scale. Of course, we all face moments when we're called to step out of our comfort zones and embrace change. Medion symbolizes that place of comfort that we each have a job. We're accustomed to, relationships that are familiar and routines that give us a sense of control. But life, in its unpredictable nature, often presents us with challenges that require us to leave our Midyan behind. Maybe it's a career change or move to a new place, or maybe it's standing up for a cause that puts us at odds with those around us. These transitions can be intimidating. So how do we navigate these moments? Well, I suggest let's learn from Moses's courage. Like us, Moses was human. Moses was hesitant, questioned his ability, saying to God, who am I that I should go to Pharaoh? Recognizing our vulnerabilities isn't a sign of weakness, it's the first step to facing our challenges. Also, Moses didn't embark on this journey alone. He had his family and God provided Aaron to assist him. In our lives, Let's not hesitate to reach out to friends, our family, and our community for support when we need it. But most important to Moses's journey was definitely his trust in God's guidance. Even when the road was uncertain. He moved forward because he believed that he was part of a purpose that was greater than himself. And for Moses, faith was intertwined with action. He didn't just hope for liberation, he took concrete steps towards liberation, despite the risks faith and action. Go hey in hand, we trust and we act. We believe and we do. God assured Moses, saying I will be with you. This promise didn't mean the absence of hardship. It meant the presence of divine accompaniment through any hardships he would face. Moses's departure from Midyon is more than a historical account. It's a timeless lesson on facing the unknown with faith and courage. As we encounter our very own Egypt's situations that require us to leave our comfort zones, we can remember that, like Moses, we have the capacity to rise to the occasion. We just need a count on, call on and trust in God. My friends, May we find the strength to leave our own medians when called upon, and may we support one another in the journeys ahead.
00:23:00
Speaker 1: You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app to day. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger, and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yil Eckstein edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, cayleb 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 if you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yil Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.