Justice & Generosity

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:00:04 Speaker 2: Look at them pathetic. 00:00:06 Speaker 3: If even the smallest of foxes should spring up and dart along that wall, it would crumble beneath them. 00:00:13 Speaker 2: Rally the others, let them know Jerusalem is defying Persia's peace. 00:00:18 Speaker 4: They planned to strike in secret. When our hands are busy and our backs are turned, but we do not retreat, we do not pausepare weeks past. 00:00:32 Speaker 1: The wall grew higher, stronger, but so did the threads. And though the sword still hung by his side, it was the hammer in his hand that told the true story. Jerusalem was not just defending herself from annihilation, she was rebuilding, becoming whole again. 00:01:00 Speaker 5: Shelloh, my friends, from here in the Holy Land of Israel, i'm ya l estein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. So take a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if you left us a review, I read every single one of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can visit IFCJ dot org. Let's begin. 00:01:49 Speaker 1: The dawn emerged gently over Jerusalem, its soft glow slowly brightening streets already filled with whispers and murmurs. The morning wind carried more than dust that day. Voices, angry and weary rose from the streets of Jerusalem. No sound of clanging stone or rhythm of chisels, only cries of injustice and of desperation. Nehemiah stood at the edge of the market square, watching and listening. Dust rose in swirling currents from sandaled feet, pacing anxiously along alleyways and market places. Progress and determination had been all but replaced by poverty and destitution, the governor observed with quiet intensity. He had always been a careful listener, one who heard not only words, but the heart behind them. He approached a crowd of agitated citizens, their words sharpened with anger and desperation. Near Mayah whispered a prayer to himself. As their footsteps quickened. A man stepped forward from the group, his voice hoarse, from nights spent working on the city walls. 00:03:12 Speaker 2: We're starving near Mayah, our fields lyon tended, our crops dying because we've spent every hour building these blasted walls. Now we've mortgaged everything we own just to buy enough grain to feed our families. 00:03:30 Speaker 1: A woman, holding a child too weak to stand on his own feet, pressed through. She cried out, wavering between fury and sorrow. 00:03:40 Speaker 5: And now they say it's not enough to pay the king's taxes. 00:03:45 Speaker 1: We've borrowed silver, borrowed against our vineyards and olive groves. 00:03:52 Speaker 3: Some of us have even had to sell our sons and daughters into slavery. 00:03:56 Speaker 1: Near Maya's heart twisted sharply within him at the woman words. The image of Israelite children in bondage was more bitter than anything he had imagined. The people had risen courageously against surrounding threads, but now faced a darker enemy, one from within. 00:04:16 Speaker 6: And who profits from our suffering. Our own brothers, the nobles, the wealthy, they are the ones lending silver. Even you would blush to hear the interest they place on it. And you know what they take when we can't pay our own children. 00:04:35 Speaker 1: The man smashed his clenched fist against a broken cart next to him that shattered under the force. The murmuring of the crowd rose louder, tension boiling beneath every word near Mayah slowly stepped back the weight of this betrayal, Settling heavily on his shoulders. His heart darted between his empathy for the people and disdain for the nobles that so callously afflicted their own. Brothers and sisters. Both perpetrator and victim alike were in desperate need of God's mercy. Turning away from the crowd, Nehemiah moved toward a quieter street. The people had intended to follow, but, upon seeing his fists clenched tightly at his sides, determined they had poured enough fuel onto the fires that raged within the governor. Away from the crowd, Na'amiyah's carefully held composure broke. He pressed his forehead against a cool stone wall, whispering fiercely to himself and God. 00:05:39 Speaker 7: Lord, how can we build woes ofs mode while carrying each other apart from within? How can we restore your city when we devouer one another with greed? 00:05:51 Speaker 1: His chest rose and fell with controlled breaths as he struggled to steady his thoughts. After several moments of deep contemplation, he lifted his head, eyes now clear with renewed purpose. This injustice could not be ignored, not while breath still filled his lungs. He straightened his shoulders and walked decisively toward the hall, where the city's leaders gathered. Inside a large stone chamber, Richly dressed nobles and landowners assembled at Nehemiah's summons. Their fine robes shimmered against the rough heused stone walls, an ironic contrast to the suffering of those outside. Some more expressions of calm, arrogance, others discomfort. They all watched carefully as Nehemiah stepped forward. His voice was quiet but brimming with restrained fury. You know I have got you. An elder nobleman, gray and accustomed to respect. Stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly. Perhaps you might enlighten us. Governor near Maya's eyes flashed sharply. The nobleman jolted in place. 00:07:15 Speaker 4: I have heard the cries about it. You your own brothers and sisters. 00:07:21 Speaker 8: They starve while you grow wildly. 00:07:25 Speaker 4: They have mortgaged their lads, their homes, even their own children, to your greed. 00:07:31 Speaker 1: The nobles shifted uncomfortably, some refusing to meet Nehemiah's gaze. He stepped closer, confronting them directly, his voice rising. 00:07:42 Speaker 4: You charge them indrist on loans they cannot repay, placing them into bandage. We fought enemies from without, and now you'll become enemies with him. 00:07:53 Speaker 1: He paused, allowing his words to pierce deep. 00:07:57 Speaker 4: Is this how we repay the lord who freed us from slavery in Egypt, who brought us home from exile? I enslaved one another. 00:08:07 Speaker 1: The silence stretched painfully until one of the younger nobles finally stepped forward, hesitantly, face flushed with embarrassment. 00:08:17 Speaker 4: What should we do then? 00:08:19 Speaker 1: Near Maya's eyes softened only slightly, but his voice carried on, firm and unyielding. 00:08:26 Speaker 8: Restored the too days their pinions, their olive groves, their. 00:08:33 Speaker 4: Arms, and canceled theirs. Let just dispray once again among God's people. 00:08:44 Speaker 1: Her stunned silence fell near. Maya stared each noble down, individually, challenging any further resistance. Finally, an older noble clearly moved stepped forward. 00:09:00 Speaker 3: You are right near Myah, we all of us have done wrong. We will return everything. We will demand nothing more from our brother's end, our sisters. 00:09:17 Speaker 1: A ripple of quiet assent passed through the gathered men. Nehemiah, unsatisfied with mere words, called priests to witness the oath. He lifted the folds of his own robe, shaking it vigorously, so the dust pillowed dramatically into the air. 00:09:35 Speaker 4: May God shake from his house anyone who breaks this promise until they are as empty as this robe. 00:09:44 Speaker 1: The nobles echoed, in unified humility, as you have. The days following this confrontation saw a rebirth of community in Jerusalem. Fields returned families, reunite, debts forgiven, signs of true restoration and justice. Yet nearmiah New actions spoke louder than words. He would lead not merely by command, but by example. Though entitled to a governor's food allowance, Nearmiah refused to claim it. For twelve years, he labored without demanding payment. Every evening he invited dozens, then hundreds to dine at his own table. Nil's simple yet abundant, freely shared with nobles, craftsmen, farmers, even strangers from foreign lands. One evening, while servants poured grain and wine generously. A visiting official watched with astonishment. 00:10:49 Speaker 6: You eat and live modestly, Nearmiah. 00:10:51 Speaker 4: Why not take what's opening? 00:10:53 Speaker 3: Why sacrifice so much? 00:10:56 Speaker 1: Neamiyah paused, looking thoughtfully around his table at the faces of his people, then smiled gently. 00:11:05 Speaker 8: Generosity the host slowly is worth. How could I, as quite people beget without given first by skith? 00:11:16 Speaker 1: The official nodded, deeply, moved quietly humbled. Late into the night, beneath Jerusalem's rising walls, Nehemiah often wandered alone, listening to the whispers of the wind, the distant songs of families reunited, and the gentle murmurs of grateful prayers rising from homes now safe from greed's grasp. Tonight, as he walked slowly along the rebuilt western wall, the quiet of the city pressed lovingly around him. Stars glittered serenely overhead, witnesses of the justice that now echoed through these streets. He looked up put toward the heavens, his voice quiet yet assured, be good for me, Oh. 00:12:06 Speaker 4: My God, for good for all I have done for these people. 00:12:12 Speaker 1: In the hush that followed, the silence was profound, gentle, and comforting, an affirmation from Heaven itself, and Nearmiah knew in his heart the true rebuilding had happened today, not just with stone and mortar, but within hearts, once hardened by selfishness, now softened by mercy, justice and generosity. And Near Mayah smiled, knowing it was only the beginning of all God intended to restore. 00:12:56 Speaker 5: If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and it has affected your life, we'd love it if you left her review. We read them, and me personally I cherish them as you venture forth boldly and faithfully. I leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six Iva hashem vischmerecher Yeah Heir hashempanave eleven Ye sa hashempanave lera saloon. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. 00:13:37 Speaker 1: Amen. You can listen to the Chosen People with you. Isle Exstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the pray dot Com app today. This prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative Talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellavaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yiele Eckstein, Edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, Rabbi Edward Abramson, 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 with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.