Manna- The Bread of Life

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. The people had left the Red Sea with light feet and heart, but their countenance was wilting after three days in the wilderness of sure without any fresh water to quench their weary throats. I'm afraid that these people will turn feral if we don't find water soon. 00:00:22 Speaker 2: Hey, what are we supposed to do now, Moses? 00:00:27 Speaker 1: You're the one who brought us out here. It's your responsibility. What are we going to drink? 00:00:33 Speaker 2: We're gonna die out here. A God just parted an entire sea for you people. As we speak, a cloud of smoke is before us to guide us to paradise. Yet here you are whining like children. 00:00:49 Speaker 1: For a moment, he wondered if the Lord would be silent now that he had freed his people. Had he resigned to doing enough? Were they on their own? 00:00:58 Speaker 3: Now? 00:00:59 Speaker 1: Was Moses to lead without the guidance of the Almighty? Who was he without the voice? These wrestlings of doubt and fear often visited his mind. 00:01:10 Speaker 3: If you will diligently listen to my voice and do that which is right in my eyes, and give her to my commandments, and keep all my statues, Ah, he will put none of the disease on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer. 00:01:38 Speaker 1: Blighted winds howled from the north, hot, dry, and cruel. The Desert of sin was an infamous expanse, often said to be the burial grounds of the ancient nomads. The desert offered no sustenance, no shade, no mercy. It was an unwelcoming, cruel host, seemingly bent on sapping the life out of every traveler foolish enough to walk its sands. The children of Israel were growing weaker by the day, sapped of energy and optimism. Scanning this pack of misfits was Moses and Arron. Dust caked their cheeks, and the weight of leadership drew their shoulders forward. Moses scanned the encampment of people, heads slumped forward, weary and devoid of sustenance. 00:02:39 Speaker 2: I'm worried about them, Mirner. We're only fifteen days into our journey to Sinai, and I'm afraid their strength is already sapped. 00:02:50 Speaker 3: How much longer until we reach Mount Sinai. 00:02:53 Speaker 2: With this large group, it's almost impossible to know, especially if they're week. 00:03:01 Speaker 3: Whatever happens, we can let them start eating the live stock. There are only ticket to gaining wealth in the new land. 00:03:08 Speaker 2: We'll need them to barter with other villages. 00:03:11 Speaker 3: They eat the livestock, it's the beginning of the end. 00:03:14 Speaker 1: As they pondered these things, her clamoring could be heard from the center of the encampment, Moses and Aaron ran through the camp. Two men were exchanging blows in a circle of people surround them. One man lunged in the other and tackled into the ground. They tumbled in the dust, taking turns striking the other. Aaron ran and grabbed one of them, while her leaped from the crowd and grabbed another. 00:03:41 Speaker 2: You come near my coats again, and I'll brand you with an iron. 00:03:45 Speaker 1: You're a paranoid fool. I didn't touch your coats. 00:03:48 Speaker 2: My wife heard you and your sons sneaking around our tent last night. Well she's either a liar or just as mad as you are. Take that back. 00:03:58 Speaker 1: The two men broke free and raise their fists to fight again. Moses had finally had enough. He slammed his staff into the ground and shouted. 00:04:08 Speaker 2: Enough of this will never last in this desertive way. At each other's throats. 00:04:14 Speaker 1: The men both darted their eyes at Moses. It wasn't fear of his leadership that got their attention, but spite. 00:04:22 Speaker 3: We won't last at this raid anyway. 00:04:25 Speaker 2: We don't have any food. 00:04:27 Speaker 3: That's why this thief wanted to steal my goats. 00:04:29 Speaker 2: The Egyptians were the lucky ones. They got to die a swift dead under the sea. We're going to wither away under the sun. 00:04:38 Speaker 1: The crowd was beginning to stir. 00:04:40 Speaker 3: Hunger grip them. 00:04:42 Speaker 1: Hunger causes anger, and anger causes all sorts of issues. Moses clenched his jaw tightly. Hunger ordered him as well, but he couldn't show it. 00:04:53 Speaker 2: The Lord has gotten us this far, he will provide for us. 00:04:58 Speaker 1: I'll believe it when my children aren't faint from hunger, Moses. The crowd stirred some more murmurs hushed throughout the throne, a foreboding hum of chaos and rebellion. 00:05:10 Speaker 3: Remember when we were in Egypt, we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted. 00:05:17 Speaker 2: Yeah, until Moses came along and tore us away. 00:05:22 Speaker 1: Aaron had heard enough of it. He shouted at the people and raised his hands to his head in dismay. 00:05:28 Speaker 3: What is wrong with you people? 00:05:31 Speaker 2: We were slaves. 00:05:33 Speaker 3: We only ate what was ration to us. We came from far worse than this. 00:05:37 Speaker 2: Don't let the present suffer and repeat the past is filled with glass. 00:05:42 Speaker 1: Moses and Aaron listened to their murmuring grow louder like a hive of angry bees. Rationalizing with a hungry mob was a fruitless endeavor. They were so starving that even slavery seemed like a welcome respite from their woes. Aaron and Moses exchanged concerned looks. They needed food, and quickly Moses stormed off to see God's counsel. He believed that the Lord would provide, but his timing was often a mystery. 00:06:11 Speaker 2: How will we do, Lord, How will we put food in the bellies without sacrificing our future? We need bread. We can't farmer trade a harvest in this desolate place. 00:06:25 Speaker 1: Moses hands trembled from fatigue. He took deep breath to regain control, but to no avail. Then the Lord answered. He did not speak with a booming voice from the heavens or with the strike of lightning. His voice was gentle, calm, and reassuring, like the babbling of a familiar brook. 00:06:48 Speaker 3: I will rain down bread from heaven for you. I will provide the people with food to sustain them. Each day. No more and no less will they be given. This would be to test their obedience. For six days they will tell the food, and on the sixth day they will store food for the Sabbath. 00:07:13 Speaker 1: Moses heart fluttered in his chest, although he didn't allow himself to feel relieved. The Lord's promise of food came with a test, and he wasn't so sure the children of Israel were in a condition to be tested. Nervously, Moses returned to the throng of people. Aaron was trying and failing to. 00:07:36 Speaker 3: Calm them down. 00:07:38 Speaker 1: They were growing more unruly by the second. 00:07:41 Speaker 2: I refuse to die here from starvation. I'm taking my plan out of here and search for food. 00:07:48 Speaker 1: We'll follow them, better to die searching for food and waste away here. 00:07:54 Speaker 2: Ritherin, Please have faith. Hasn't our God got in us this far? My God, my stomach. I shall follow him where he leaves here here. 00:08:05 Speaker 1: Moses approached silently, but his presence was felt. The crowd's high pitched wine turned to a low grumble. When he presented himself they waited with furrowed brows for him to speak. Moses tried to hide his irritation, but with little success. 00:08:23 Speaker 2: Your constant complaining is kept me up at night. Your childish whining is an incessant drip at won end. Lucky for you, I am not God. If I was, I wouldn't miss so patient. 00:08:39 Speaker 1: Moses paused and caught himself. He shook his head and tried to speak with more compassion, a compassion that flowed from the Lord's. 00:08:48 Speaker 2: Heart, even though you've already forgotten his faithfulness. Sir, the Lord has heard your grumbling. Tonight you will all be reminded of his compassion and carried. It's about time. Who are you to complain? Was it you who parted Sees and crushed Pharaoh? 00:09:14 Speaker 1: Moses gestured to Aaron and himself, and then raised a finger at the people. 00:09:19 Speaker 2: Who are we that you should grumble against us? Are we your mothers? Do we owe you something? You should know that every time you grumble against us, it's actually against the law. The one who saved you. 00:09:34 Speaker 1: Moses felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Miriam, giving him a reassuring squeeze and a signal to calm down. Moses flared his nostrils, ready to snap again, but stopped. He relented turned away from the crowd. He spoke to Aaron, saying. 00:09:53 Speaker 2: Tell them to come before the law with their complaints. He's heard them, will move. 00:09:59 Speaker 1: Moses skulked off, murmuring to himself in frustration. Aaron sighed, then turned to the crowd. 00:10:07 Speaker 3: The Lord has heard your Complease, he has not turned a deaf ear to our needs. Behold for yourselves. 00:10:14 Speaker 1: Aaron gestured to the expanse behind them. The desert wind churned and a radiant cloud formed in the skies. Lightning struck within the gray cloud, causing it to ignite with a sapphire glow. It was the glory of the Lord. He was coming. Moses watched from a nearby ridge. The wind bit at his cheek. He pulled his cloak in tighter, still simmering in anger towards the people. Then, in a manner only fitting for Moses, the Lord spoke. 00:10:47 Speaker 3: At twilight, you will eat meat. In the morning, you will be filled with bread. They will know that I am the Lord. 00:11:00 Speaker 1: Thunder clapped and Moses saw the dark skies flash with radiant light. Their God was on the move. Despite their complaints, despite their grumbling and childish whining, despite their ingratitude, God would provide for them. The clouds swirled overhead. The charcoal skies, mixed with the setting sun caused a crimson hue to envelop the land. The people of Israel settled in for the night, anxious and hungry. Then a sound came from the distance. Moses and Aaron exited their tents and looked up. 00:11:44 Speaker 3: Are being attacked. 00:11:46 Speaker 1: Suddenly and violently. The swarm of quiet blue through the canyons. The storm in the distance pushed them all from the east. 00:11:55 Speaker 3: They flew and ran through the camp. 00:11:57 Speaker 2: Quick get them. 00:11:58 Speaker 1: The people emerged from their tents. At first they were filled with terror, but it quickly turned to joy as they realized what the Lord had done. Lord, men, women and children frantically grabbed nets and sticks to catch the quail. There was enough for each household to enjoy that night. The smell of meat cooked over camphires wafted upward with the sound of laughter. It was like incense to the Lord. Moses scanned the crowd, smiles and full bellies were illuminated by the flames. Moses sat by himself at the edge of camp, content to be alone and listened to the people's laughter. Miriam approached with a bowl of stew and placed it in Moses's lap. 00:12:50 Speaker 2: This is more than we could have asked, Ha, ha, ha, what's so funny? You're right, Liriam. His bounty's more than enough. The Lord isn't even finished yet. He can do exceedingly we could ever ask or imagine. 00:13:11 Speaker 1: It was before the first light of dawn. All was quiet, still peaceful. The children of Israel slept soundly that night, having fullbellies for the first time in weeks. The morning mists slithered over the valley, bringing the morning Jew. It lay gently around the Israelite camp. Rising with the Jew came a flake like substance. It laced the ground like frost. Everyone emerged from their tent and looked around curiously. Nobody knew what to make of it. 00:13:47 Speaker 3: What is this? 00:13:51 Speaker 1: Don't touch it? 00:13:52 Speaker 3: It could be deadly. It looks harmless. See it's like cotton. 00:13:57 Speaker 1: The people gathered around, poking it with sticks and wondering if they should be concerned. Moses came up from behind eat. They all turned confused and skeptical. 00:14:11 Speaker 2: This is the daily bread, the Lord's given you. He has commanded that you take an omer and measure enough for each person in your tent. No more, no less. 00:14:22 Speaker 1: The people gathered up the mystery food. Some took more than others, but nobody lacked any. Moses picked some up for himself. It was light in his palms, flaky and scentless. He pressed it to his lips, feeling its soft and inviting texture. He put it in his mouth. It was chewy, but not fibrous. It was sweet, but didn't burst with flavor, like a date or fig. It was pleasant, but not overwhelming. The people enjoyed and ate until their bellies were full. He looked around. People began to fight. Nor harm had taken a little more for later. 00:15:03 Speaker 2: I mean, big man, for all. If you can dig extra, then I can dig extra. 00:15:08 Speaker 1: Well. What if we want to save some just in case the children get hungry at night? 00:15:12 Speaker 3: We should save some in jars for our journey. 00:15:15 Speaker 2: Who knows if it'll ever come again? No more, no less, Do as Lord commands, trust him for tomorrow. 00:15:23 Speaker 1: We don't know if it will come tomorrow. The people were frantic. They had been so hungry and deprived that they couldn't trust that the food would be there tomorrow. They began fighting, holding whatever they could for themselves use. 00:15:39 Speaker 2: They still haven't learned. 00:15:41 Speaker 1: Moses clenched his staff. His stomach boiled with rage. 00:15:45 Speaker 2: Your children have they can't follow simple instructions. 00:15:49 Speaker 1: That Moses turned to hear the people clamoring over something. He looked down and saw the bread slowly melting away. The afternoon sun, the bread that had been ordered rotted, giving way to maggots. A terrible odor emerged from the stallen substance. The people quickly learned that the Lord wasn't giving them a suggestion when he told them to only take enough for the day. He was giving them a command. They needed to trust him. They needed to understand that he was their daily bread, their daily provision. Each day God provided food, but each day the people grew anxious and tried to save more. Yet day after day God provided for their needs. Slowly, they began to trust that the Lord would protect and provide for them. He was their God, and just as he clothed the mountain range with wild flowers and provided seed for the birds of the air to eat, he would take care of his chosen people. This pray Ai com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, 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. 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