Let My People Go!

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen people. 00:00:04 Speaker 2: Behold you are no Pharaoh. 00:00:07 Speaker 3: Behold landsis son of Seti, the image of her. 00:00:14 Speaker 4: Shaws and mother gods. 00:00:15 Speaker 2: To lead you into a new at. 00:00:19 Speaker 5: An age a power, Oh Lord, and ain't where Egypt shall be the enemy of the world, where the laws of usies will rise higher than the heavens had on enemy will trample me more us. 00:00:40 Speaker 6: Pharaoh will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders. Tell Pharaoh that Israel is my first born son. If he will not release my son to me, then I shall take his His first born will be as dust upon the wind, as a shadow. 00:01:12 Speaker 7: Upon the wall. 00:01:17 Speaker 8: The God of our forefathers appeared to me in a dream, commanding me to come here, meet you. 00:01:24 Speaker 6: What has happened? 00:01:26 Speaker 2: Why have you returned? He has a name. I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 00:01:43 Speaker 8: Lord, he has shown himself to you. 00:01:47 Speaker 2: Yes, he appeared in flames of fire. He said that he's heard the cries of our people. He will defeat phallow and lead them out. 00:01:58 Speaker 4: Of this place. 00:02:00 Speaker 3: I would be your voice, brother. 00:02:02 Speaker 8: But together we shall shape the very foundations of Egypt, and we lead our people to the prince. 00:02:08 Speaker 2: Land that sudden it begins. 00:02:20 Speaker 1: Moses moved through the teeming streets of Thebes like a man wading through a dream. The heat pressed down upon the city, and the voices of merchants and peddlers, the shouts of children, and the quarrels of nobles swirled together into a ceaseless hum. But these sounds were far off to Moses. His mind was fixed on the voice that called him from the wilderness, the voice. 00:02:48 Speaker 6: Of I am the Lord. 00:02:51 Speaker 1: There was a tremor in his step, a trembling that came not from the heat or the press of bodies, but from the weight of the task made upon him. His lips moved in silent prayer. Lord, I'm not sure stronger for this. The sandstone steps to the palace courtyards were familiar beneath his feet, a memory from a life half forgotten. As he passed beyond the walls, the cacophony of Thebes faded, replaced by the heavy silence of a place that thrumbed with power. Guards flanked the path, their eyes cold beneath bronze helmets, hands tightening on the shafts of spears. As Moses and Aaron drew near. 00:03:39 Speaker 2: Top right their slaves. 00:03:42 Speaker 6: What business do you have in this palace? 00:03:45 Speaker 2: I am Moses, son of Bitia and grandson of Setti, lord of the Nile. 00:03:51 Speaker 1: The guards exchanged looks, heads cocked to one side like wary dogs scenting a lie. Moses garb was that of a Hebrew slave, his hands rough from years of labor. It was then that a figure stepped forward from the shadows, a face that had not changed much since Moses last saw it, though the years had made his back more rigid and his eyes more weary. 00:04:18 Speaker 8: By the Nile's coil. 00:04:21 Speaker 1: Moses, is that you? It was Moses Sebait, much older but still upright with his hardened shoulders. 00:04:31 Speaker 2: Yes, Sabait, it is great to see you. 00:04:35 Speaker 7: We all thought the desert had claimed you. 00:04:39 Speaker 2: In many ways it did, But I returned to speak with Ramses, can you get me an audience with him? 00:04:46 Speaker 3: Ah? 00:04:47 Speaker 2: Yes, he will be eager to see you. 00:04:50 Speaker 1: With Sebait leading the way, Moses and Aaron passed the guards and entered the grand halls of Pharaoh. The throne room, wretched out before them like the belly of a great beast, vast and cavernous, held up by thick columns painted with the likenesses of gods. Moses remembered this place well. He had stood behind his grandfather's throne here, watching as judgments were cast and fate sealed. It was different now. Where once hung the tapestries of Pharaoh's past, there were now only images of Rameses every wall, a testament to his grandeur. The court was full. Priests and nobles crowded the room, like carrying birds around a fresh kill, each angling for a closer place to their lord. Aaron's voice was a low whisper in Moses's ear, tight with worry. 00:05:49 Speaker 8: I've got a bad feeling about this, Moses. I've never been here before. I'm not sure how to carry myself. 00:05:57 Speaker 2: We are about to break every code of conduct. Might as well just be yourself. 00:06:03 Speaker 1: They approached the throne, a marvel of craftsmanship, adorned with gold and inlaid with precious stones, flanked by statues of falcons and sphinxes, symbols of divine authority, and there sat rameses the Pharaoh, as if sculpted from granite. His head was shaved, and he wore a head dress glimmering with sapphires. His chest was bare, his skin gleaming like polished bronze. And in his hands he held the crook and flail, the emblems of his dominion over Upper and Lower Egypt. His eyes were hard, his gaze like the edge of a homed blade. And beside him stood Nebermund, the chief priest, a man Moses knew well, a serpent tongued schemer whose voice could turn honey to venom. Sebeate bowed low, but Moses remained upright, his eyes locked on the man who had once been like a brother to him. 00:07:06 Speaker 4: Moses, I know it was you the moment you walked in. 00:07:10 Speaker 2: Here, Rameses. It is good to see you again. 00:07:16 Speaker 4: Is it good? 00:07:17 Speaker 3: Moses? 00:07:18 Speaker 4: If I recalled before you fled to the desert, you killed one of our own. Why have you returned, and why do you bring a slave into my hallowed horse? 00:07:30 Speaker 1: I I Aaron felt his brother's faltering, and stepped forward, his voice rising above the murmurs of. 00:07:38 Speaker 3: The court. 00:07:41 Speaker 8: Lord Pharaoh. Moses has been commissioned by our God. He has a message for you. 00:07:47 Speaker 1: Ramsy's eyes turned to Aaron, his nostrils flaring like a bull about to charge. Nebermund stepped forward, his voice dripping with scorn. 00:08:00 Speaker 7: You dare address the Lord of the Nile. Who are you to speak to the image of ra slave? 00:08:09 Speaker 2: He is my brother. We have both come with a message from the God of Israel. 00:08:14 Speaker 7: What request does this god have with the. 00:08:18 Speaker 2: Image of ra Our? 00:08:20 Speaker 8: God has commanded that Pharaoh let his people go into the wilderness to worship. 00:08:26 Speaker 7: You go to false love. Pharaoh takes no commands. He is the only one they ought to worship, Not this unnamed god of yours. He has a name, oh does him? 00:08:42 Speaker 8: He is the I am the Lord. And thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, let my people go that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness. 00:08:56 Speaker 7: Preposterous, full slave. God has no power here. No one from the mountains to the banks of the Nile has heard of this god. Perhaps the goats and the sheep of your ancestors bleeded out his name once or twice. 00:09:17 Speaker 1: The priest's taunting was like tinder to a flame. Moses could feel a deep, smoldering fury rising within him, a righteous anger that. 00:09:29 Speaker 6: Was not his own. 00:09:30 Speaker 1: The words of the priest grated against him like stones. 00:09:35 Speaker 7: And furthermore, if this god you serve is so powerful, then why are as people so weak? 00:09:43 Speaker 3: Hmm? 00:09:45 Speaker 2: And I will tell you another thing. 00:09:48 Speaker 7: Barrel doesn't have time to entertain the pathetic company of outlaw. 00:09:55 Speaker 1: And enough he stepped forward, his star, held FIRMI in his grasp, and slammed it against the sandstone floor. The sound echoed through the great hall like the breaking of chains. 00:10:10 Speaker 2: Ramses, this is not a request let my people go. 00:10:16 Speaker 1: The words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding, and for a long moment silence reigned. Then the tension broke, and Ramses laughed, the deep rolling sound. The priests and noble swallowed, their laughter rising like a chorus of crows. 00:10:37 Speaker 6: Ha ha ha ah. 00:10:40 Speaker 4: There's that familiar anger, Moses, decades in the desert had done little to settle your temper. I do not know this god of yours, who is the lord that I should obey? I am the image of Rah, the Lord of the Nile. The sun rises and sets according to my greatness. I will not let your people go. Moses, I do not acknowledge this God of yours. 00:11:13 Speaker 2: Treadlightly Rameses, the God of the Hebrews will not relent. 00:11:19 Speaker 4: Is that a threat, Moses? 00:11:22 Speaker 6: It is not a threat. 00:11:25 Speaker 2: It is a promise. 00:11:27 Speaker 1: That Pharaoh rose from his throne. The room seemed to shrink around him as he descended the steps, each footfall echoing like the beating of a war drum. The air was thick with fear, but Moses and Aarons stood their ground. Rameses came to stand before Moses, close enough that Moses could see the fire in his eyes. 00:11:52 Speaker 6: Have you come to spar with me again? Moses? 00:11:56 Speaker 4: Are you challenging e God? 00:12:01 Speaker 2: It is not I who is challenging you. 00:12:04 Speaker 4: Your God doesn't frighten me. I am that which was, and is and shall be. And no man or God has lifted my veil. 00:12:16 Speaker 1: Pharaoh returned to his throne, settling back upon it with the air of a boy who had tied of his toys. 00:12:23 Speaker 4: The respect for my late sister, I will allow you to retreat back to Goshen with your heads. Do not muddy these chambers again with your presence. You've been warned. 00:12:37 Speaker 1: At his signal, the gods seized the brothers and dragged them out of the palace. They were tossed into the streets like refuse, landing hard in the mud. Aaron groaned as he rolled to his side. 00:12:50 Speaker 8: To be quite honest, that went far better than I expected. In fact, that's probably the gentlest an Egyptian god has ever treated me. 00:13:00 Speaker 2: U can't say I share your joy. 00:13:03 Speaker 1: What do you think he'll do next? 00:13:05 Speaker 2: If I know Ramses, he'll make a measured move to assert his dominance. He won't let this slight go unpunished. 00:13:14 Speaker 8: He's going to punish the people and blame you. 00:13:17 Speaker 1: Get ready, Moses, Aaron, Moses, and Miriam stood shoulder to shoulder as they listened to the Egyptian general, a grim figure atop a dark horse, proclaiming Pharaoh's new decree. His voice boomed across the assembly of slaves, carrying Pharaoh's edict like a death knell. 00:13:42 Speaker 3: Thus, says Pharaoh, the image of Rah and Lord of An, I, your taskmasters will no longer give you straw to build your bricks. From now on, every slave will be responsible for finding and grinding. 00:13:59 Speaker 8: Their own straw. 00:14:02 Speaker 3: This does not change your quartera for bricks. You will still be expected to provide the same number of bricks per day. Moses, An error. The sons of a rarm have come to Pharaoh with request to leave for the wilderness. Since you all have so much time on your hands to plan such deals, Pharaoh has seen fit to increase your labor. Every man who cries out in such a way asking to worship their god in the wilderness will be given heavier work. Hey, no regard to such men, or you will receive the same punishment. This is the final decree of Pharaoh. 00:14:51 Speaker 1: The three siblings exchanged concerned looks. The murmurs began as a low rumble, spreading like a wave among the peace. Moses felt the weight of their stairs, accusing fearful, betrayed. They had prayed for deliverance, but had not counted the cost it would demand. This was only the beginning. Moses turned to Aaron and Miriam, his voice low. 00:15:19 Speaker 2: And have to remind the people that this will be a long process. It won't be easy. It's never been easy, Moses. 00:15:27 Speaker 7: The groans you are hearing are not. 00:15:29 Speaker 2: New, Miriam. Is there anybody else who can speak on our behalf, anyone to encourage the people to keep their spirit high? My son will be eager to help. 00:15:40 Speaker 7: He's loved among the younger generation. 00:15:42 Speaker 8: Her is a fine young man. He will help us, but we will also need to convince some of the elders to keep the groaning to a minimum. I may need to do some work in the background and pull some favors. 00:15:54 Speaker 7: Careful with all that politicking. 00:15:55 Speaker 3: Aaron. 00:15:56 Speaker 1: Aaron left with a wave and a nod. Glanced around at the crowd, so many angry faces, eyes like knives. He felt a chill despite the heat, a sudden vulnerability. Miriam squeezed his arm, guiding him away. Pharaoh did not relent. His decree stood, and the burdens of the children of Israel grew heavier. They were forced to gather their own straw, to grind it and mix it with clay to build. With blistered hands, they fell behind in their work, and the lash fell heavier upon their backs. Food was withheld. The weak grew weaker. When the foremen dared present themselves before Pharaoh to beg for mercy, his answer was a scornful bark. 00:16:48 Speaker 4: You are idle and lazy people. Your kidsmen keep before me, begging for rest in the wilderness to sing songs to your God. Clearly, you have enough time on your hands for. 00:17:01 Speaker 2: More bricks, I shall not relent more. Word fast at work. 00:17:08 Speaker 1: The foreman returned, despondent and frustrated. The bottoms of their eyes were creased with weariness. When the people gathered together, the foreman lashed out at Moses. 00:17:21 Speaker 9: The Lord, judge of what's happening to us? Moses, you've made us a stick in the sight of Bairwin his taskmasters. 00:17:27 Speaker 4: You may as well put a sword in their hands to kill us. 00:17:31 Speaker 1: The crowd stirred, and Moses shrunk back in shame. His worst fears were manifesting before him. 00:17:39 Speaker 8: Brothers and sisters, calm yourselves. Is this not what we've been praying for? This is all a part of the Lord's plan. 00:17:48 Speaker 5: Does that plan. 00:17:48 Speaker 9: Involve our children's hands pleading from grinding the hay? Does the Lord's south patient work in such ways? 00:17:55 Speaker 8: Erin patience? 00:17:57 Speaker 2: We will get through this. 00:17:59 Speaker 9: And what if we don't like? What if it only gets worse? Will Moses flee again and lead us to bleed? 00:18:07 Speaker 8: Moses isn't going anyways, Moses, Moses, where are you going? 00:18:12 Speaker 1: Moses left without a word. He turned the corner and ran down to the river bank. The sound of the angry crowd faded, replaced by the sounds of crickets, by a steady river. Moses fell to the ground and wept. He cried out to the Lord, feeling the immense weight of the people's welfare. 00:18:34 Speaker 2: Oh Lord, why have you forsaken these people? Why have you committed such an evil against them? Is this a part of your plan? Is this what redemption looks like? I said exactly what you wanted me to say. Ever since their lives have been worse, you haven't delivered them at all. 00:18:54 Speaker 1: The reeds whispered in the wind, bending beneath an unseen force, And in that moment, the voice of the Lord spoke, calm and steady as the river itself. 00:19:07 Speaker 6: Whoms have only begun. Moses, you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. With a strong hand, he will send my children away, and with a shout, he will drive them out of his land. 00:19:25 Speaker 2: That seems impossible. 00:19:27 Speaker 6: I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the God most High, but my name was. 00:19:39 Speaker 7: Hidden to them. 00:19:41 Speaker 6: Yet I made a promise to them, a covenant to keep them in the land of Canaan. I have heard the groans of my people. I remember my covenant. Go before the people and remind them of these things. 00:20:00 Speaker 1: Rose the weight of the world still heavy upon his shoulders, but something steadier within him. Now He returned to the throng, moving slowly, his steps deliberate. The faces that met him were weary and worn. But he spoke as he had been commanded. 00:20:22 Speaker 2: The Lord has spoken to you. He wants to remind you of his promises. Thus says the Lord your God. 00:20:32 Speaker 1: As he spoke, his voice blended with another stronger voice, one that seemed to come from the very earth itself. 00:20:40 Speaker 2: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will deliver you from flavory and redeem you. 00:20:49 Speaker 6: With an outstretched arm. My judgment will be great, it will be vital. You shall be my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out of slavery and into freedom. The land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob shall be yours, for I am the Lord. 00:21:22 Speaker 1: The people listened, as if the words came from the lips of God himself. Something ancient and powerful stirred within them. A memory buried deep, but never forgotten. They remembered who they were, and more importantly, they remembered whose they were. They were the children of Israel, the Chosen People. This pray do or comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabager and Ben Gammon are the exact executive producers of The Chosen People. 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. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. 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, please rate and leave a review.