Renewed Promises

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:00:03 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 healing with life, a land flowing with milk and Dani. 00:00:31 Speaker 3: My God, you are the god of our fathers, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the one who has brought us from our misery in Egypt. Your servant and your people stand before you. 00:00:50 Speaker 4: I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you and proclaim my true name your way before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 00:01:20 Speaker 2: Moses, have you spoken to Joshua yet about his roule? 00:01:26 Speaker 5: Next generation? Moses, they will need us to guide them. 00:01:31 Speaker 3: They do the same mistakes waited. 00:01:36 Speaker 1: Despite his anger, despite his grief, despite his failure, Moses felt his heart start to stir again. 00:01:54 Speaker 6: When all you've known is wandering the promise of rest feels almost possible to believe. Shelloh, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel, i'm l Extein with international Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. It's been forty years. The children of Israel have wandered the wilderness, clinging to the promise of land that they have yet to see, a land whispered to their ancestors by the voice of God. Now they stand just to step away from the land their fathers dreamed of but never touched. Their leader, Moses, knows his time is short. His words are heavy as he speaks to a new generation, most of whom never knew Egypt's chains, but who inherited its scars. Behind them is a wilderness full of rebellion, repentance, and relentless grace. And before them lies Eret Cesarine, the land of Israel. But here's the question. What happens when promises seem delayed for an entire lifetime. When you've heard the word of God but all you've seen is sand. How do you trust the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when you've been walking in circles for forty years. 00:03:19 Speaker 1: Moses' eyes snapped open as he came to consciousness abruptly. He had not realized that he had fallen asleep. He had tossed and turned for hours and hours, unable to quiet his mind. The dark material of the ceiling of his tent seemed to be pressing down on him like a mighty gait that barred his way. Still on his back, he filled his lungs and released all the air at once. In an audible sight, A word resounded in his mind in the quiet emptiness, to me, Yes, today would be Moses' final day on this earth. A comforting assuredness came with the confirmation. He hauled himself upright in bed, and then turned and planted his bare feet on the weathered rub, a movement he had done every day for his one hundred and twenty years of life, something so ordinary and mundane, but considering its finality, he savored the feel of the coarse, familiar strands of the rugs fibers between his toes. His hands baled the thick woolen blanket in his fists. He sighed again. He knew instantly how he would spend the day. He had been giving it a great deal of thought. He splashed cool water from the basin on his face, and dressed in plain, practical attire, no fanfare or adornment. He clasped his smooth worn shepherd staff in his hand and pulled back the sheepskin high that served as his door. The crisp bite of the morning air heightened his senses and sent waves of rejuvenating energy through his bones. The determined, eager rays of the unseen sun cast an anticipatory warm glow upon the world. Moses leaned into the slight breeze that swept through the camp and hurried to Joshua's near by tent. Just before he could clear his throat to announce himself, the flap was brushed aside, and Joshua stood in the doorway, already dressed and ready for the day. Joshua blinked in surprise at Moses's sudden appearance, but then chuckled. 00:05:37 Speaker 5: I don't know why I'm surprised. Had feeling I should go and find you this morning. I couldn't shake it as I fell asleep last night. Now here you are. What's on your mind? Moses? How can I help? 00:05:50 Speaker 1: Moses smiled at Joshua, even after all these years and everything Joshua had accomplished, an unparalleled student of their law, a brilliant military leader, and now the newly ordained leader of their people. All of that, and yet he still looked at Joshua as if he was the same lowly shepherd boy he had found running in a panic down a hill. Moses felt himself returning Joshua's easy smile, but with a deeper undercurrent of nostalgia and parental pride. 00:06:26 Speaker 3: My dear Joshua, you always find a way to anticipate my next move, don't you. Your discernment will make you an impeccable leader for our people as you lead them indicating but yes, you're right. I came to you to ask for your help one last time. 00:06:50 Speaker 1: Moses saw recognition sweep Joshua's face, and he knew that before he even spoke the words aloud, Joshua gleaned the intention beneath have the elders gathered. 00:07:03 Speaker 3: The people before the tabernacle in two hours time, Ane too address the children of Israel, who'll do as. 00:07:12 Speaker 5: You have asked. 00:07:13 Speaker 1: Joshua left to gather the elders and the people. Moses took this brief moment to enter the courtyard of the tabernacle, he nodded to Eliezer and the priests preparing the morning ascension, offering the aroma of the burning unblemished sheep drifted skyward toward the cloud pillar above, symbolizing surrender to the Lord. As the smoke rose, Moses felt the weight of his own surrender approaching. With the close of his final day, He slipped into the Holy Place, illuminated only by the steady glow of the lampstand. The soft light bathed the twelve loaves of bread on the table of the Bread of the Presence. Leaning on his staff, Moses removed his sandals and lowered himself to kneel before the altar of incense and the curtain concealing the most holy place, where the presence of the Lord dwelled. Even beyond the veil and the ark of the Covenant. Within, Moses sensed God's mighty presence, a presence he alone knew as one spoke to a friend. He let the awe and comfort of it wash over him. Embracing the silence, his thoughts turned to his final words to Israel, whom he now saw as his children without a farther figure of his own or meaningful last words to recall. Moses pondered how best to impart wisdom and encouragement to the generation shaped by the desert, prepared to claim the promised land. The Israelites were crowded into the courtyard of the Tabernacle, but Joshua knew that countless more were huddled around the outside of the curtain walls, craning their necks to see through the scenes and hear what their patriarch, Moses had to say. Joshua knew this day would come, had known perhaps longer than most, but that did not make it any easier. Joshua stood with the members of his council, the priests Eliezer, Ithhamar, Finnahas moses sons, Gersham and Elieza, and his faithful friend Caleb. Caleb, as he always did, lumbered over to Joshua's side. His presence was familiar and comforting. Caleb gave Joshua a crooked smile and leaned over to whisper in his ear or tried. Caleb was a surprisingly stealthy warrior, but being subtle outside that context was not in his nature. 00:09:59 Speaker 3: So what do you suppose all this pomp and circumstances of bell, we will. 00:10:05 Speaker 5: Soon see Moses will not keep us waiting more. 00:10:09 Speaker 1: Moses emerged from the holy place of the Tabernacle, as if his words summoned him. Joshua marveled at how calm and serene he appeared. Joshua's heart panned with overwhelming emotion. 00:10:24 Speaker 3: Was this? 00:10:24 Speaker 1: It was this the day he told the people? And how could he possibly do any of this without Moses? Joshua was spared from dwelling on that sentiment. As Moses cleared his throat. Joshua, as well as all of Israel, leaned forward in anticipation of what Moses would say. 00:10:46 Speaker 3: Israel, Ya ways chosen people, My dear friends, I would fully recount to you all to day what you have grown up your whole lives, knowing in part stories told to you by your parents and grandparents around your fires at night, and taught to you here at the Tabernacle by your priests and teachers. Our God has risen you up as a generation to learn his instructions and love his law. He has refined us and cut away those who would lead us astray. The journey has not been easy, but it has been necessary. I will now remind you of where that journey began. I will have you remember and understand before you go forth into Canaan. After four hundred and thirty years, the Lord delivered our people from the grip of slavery in Egypt. He sent plagues upon Veraoh and his land to convince him to release us from our bondage. The Lord sustained us through it all, and eventually we gathered our belongings, and with the blood of the passover Lamb marking our doors, we finally stepped out of oppression and into freedom. But as we fled, Pharaoh's hardened heart compelled him to pursue us with his chariots and his men. In a desperate flight, we found ourselves at a dead end before the shores of the Red Sea. But that was not the end. The Lord commanded me to stretch out my hand over the sea. The waters parted and revealed a dry path before us. We walked through the depths of the sea, walls of water rising on either side, until at last we reached the other shore. When our pursuers followed, the waters returned, engulfing them and securing our deliverance. After that miraculous rescue, the Lord sustained us with manner and quail in the desert, and guided us by day and. 00:13:16 Speaker 5: By night with cloud and fire. 00:13:20 Speaker 3: We sojourned to the mountain of Sinai, where the Lord descended in a thick cloud in the whole mountain trembled. It was there that God revealed his law to us, inscribing the commandments on stone tablets. We all stood in awe as he spoke, and we, the people of Israel, agreed to follow his commandments. The covenant was ratified in blood, and with it we entered into a sacred relationship, promising to walk in his ways and uphold his statue for generations to come. This was what all of your ancestors agreed to. After we had been camped at Mount Sinai for a time, the Lord came to us the generation before you, and told us to resume our journey to the land promised Abraham, a land flowing with milk and honey, the land called Canaan. 00:14:30 Speaker 1: Joshua remembered that day well. The day they set out from Sinai, he was still little more than a shepherd boy plucked from obscurity and miraculously placed in Moses in a circle. 00:14:46 Speaker 3: When we came to the border of Canaan to Kedesh, your parents and grandparents begged me to send a spies to go and scout out the land. 00:14:56 Speaker 5: First. 00:14:57 Speaker 3: I did not realize then that this fear was the sowing of their first rebellion. Your commanders Joshua and Caleb were among those who entered Canaan. But that rebellious spirit caught like kindling among the spies, and their lack of faith and fear fanned into the full flames of rebellion. Ten spies convinced millions to refuse to enter the land promised to us by our God. Their uprising would have turned violent if not for the intervention of the Lord. His hand reached out and protected Joshua and Caleb from the wrath of the people. The price for this insurgency, you know well, for this is the reason our nation has lived in the wilderness for so long. The Lord refused to allow the previous generation, with the exception of Caleb and Osha, into the promised land. 00:16:03 Speaker 1: Joshua would never forget that day as long as he lived. Even now, almost thirty eight years later, he still had nightmares of the crowds, leering faces led by the bloodthirsty Shamoa, growing closer and closer, stones in hand, with murderous intent in their eyes. Joshua felt Caleb stiffen beside him, and he knew that Caleb remembered the day too. Moses described the events that happened after the Lord intervened and Israel wandered in the desert until the unfaithful generation died out. Moses then recounted the more recent movements of the people through the lands of Edom, Moab, and Ammon, all descendants of Abraham and therefore under the Lord's protection. He told of the miraculous victories against the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, holding the lands on the Moabite plains where they were camped now on the shores of the Jordan River, the natural boundary line between the Moabite Plains and the Promised Land. Finishing his account of their history, Moses turned and exchanged a knowing glance with Joshua. Joshua's heart tightened. This was the moment Moses gave a slight nod and faced the crowd once more. 00:17:31 Speaker 3: Now I will tell you what I told your new leader, Joshua, so that you may all be encouraged and take heart. Your own eyes have seen everything the Lord your God has done to these two Amorite kings. Your Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms you are about to enter. Do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God fights for you. Now tell me, do you believe it? 00:18:01 Speaker 1: The crowd erupted in cheers. After such a recounting of their history. Israel was stirred and determined. It took them several moments to settle down before Moses could continue. 00:18:16 Speaker 3: But I will also tell you what the Lord has told me privately. 00:18:22 Speaker 1: The crowd enraptured at moses abrupt change in tone, stilled and leaned forward even more, hanging on every word. 00:18:32 Speaker 3: I have spent untold hours begging the Lord to show me all that you will see, to see the greatness of his strong hand in battle, and to again behold his mighty wonders, as I did in Egypt and in the desert. I have asked to see the beautiful land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country, that land floor with milk and honey. 00:19:01 Speaker 1: In the crowd was fixed in place. It was almost as if they all held their breaths as one in anticipation of what Moses was about to say. 00:19:12 Speaker 3: But it is not to be. I rebelled against the Lord. I rebelled in my anger toward you. I allowed my frustration, my hatred, toward the grumbling and complaining and wilful obstinence of the Israelites who came before you, to lead me down a path of darkness. And from that darkness there was no coming back. Just as your ancestors were barred from entering the Promised Land because of their lack of faith, I too share in their punishment, for I too lacked in my trust in the Lord. 00:19:58 Speaker 1: The sharp wail broke the tense silence, Then another and another, scattered at first, but picking up in frequency. The undeniable moaning of mourning emerged from the depths of the crowd. The people were pained by this raw admission of failure. They were devastated. For Moses. Joshua's eyes brimmed with tears and a knot formed in the pit of his stomach. He could not bring himself to look at his companions in the council, especially not Caleb and especially not Moses sons. 00:20:34 Speaker 3: I appreciate your empathy, but it is not necessary. I would not even ask your forgiveness, for it is not yours to give. I have made my peace and accepted my part in this story, the Saga of Israel. The Lord appeared to me all those years ago. In his only command to me was this, to go before Pharaoh and then lead his people out of Egypt. I have done that and so much more. 00:21:09 Speaker 1: A sad smile stretched across Moses's face, a genuine and profound joy intermingled with sadness and acceptance. 00:21:19 Speaker 3: To day is not fore morning. That day will come very sort, I fear. But there is still so much more I would tell you in the time I have left, and if you would accept them, I would grant you all my final blessings as a father imparts his final wisdom to his sons. I would bless all twelve tribes as if you were my own children. 00:21:51 Speaker 1: The crowd subdued and solemn nodded and waited patiently for Moses to continue. 00:21:58 Speaker 3: I I'll start here with a simple call to obedience. 00:22:05 Speaker 5: Listen, Israel, hear. 00:22:08 Speaker 3: The words I say. The Lord, our God, The Lord is one love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children, Talk about them when you sit in your house, and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Find them as a sign on your hand, and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates. 00:22:49 Speaker 1: Joshua and the others listened intently as Moses spoke, warning against idolatry and reminding them of God's mercy. He detailed how to let the Lord lead their holy war to ensure victory, and laid out the steps for renewing the Covenant made at Mount Sinai. He gave Joshua and Eliezer clear instructions for when they would cross the Jordan into Canaan. Finally, Moses issued a heartfelt plea to the new generation to choose the life and unity the Covenant promised, rather than the death and division that abandoning it would bring. 00:23:30 Speaker 3: Today, I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity. For I am commanding you today. I am begging you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, his statutes, his ordinances, so that you may live and multiply. Has the Lord first bid his original creations Adam and Eve and the godard. If you do all this, the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, and you are led as straight to bow and worship to other gods and serve them, I tell you today that you will certainly perish. Choose life so that you and your descendants may. 00:24:30 Speaker 7: Live that love the Lord your God, Obey him, and remain faithful to him, for he is your life, and he will prolong your days as you live in the land the Lord swore to. 00:24:44 Speaker 3: Give to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 00:24:55 Speaker 6: Deuterotomy. In Hebrew, its name is Dvarim, which means words. This is a unique book of the Torah. In a way, it's the Chosen People's introduction to the new life. It would have to forge in the Promised Land. There, the Israelites would no longer see God's constant presence and daily miracles as they had in the desert. They would plow, plant and harvest. They would establish courts and a government. They would forge social relationships and means to provide for the needy and the helpless. And the purpose of the Book of Deuterotomy was to stress these laws and values and to urge Israel to be strong. When I study this book and when I hear it being read aloud in synagogue, I become very emotional. You might ask why, And here's the answer. Because after all these millennia, God has kept his promises that the Chosen people would return to the Promised Land. And here we are. Here, I am speaking with you today from here in Israel. And while thousands of years have passed, we're in a very similar situation to the Israelites in our story who are about to enter the Holy Land. We need courage, we need faith, we need all of those things that Moses gave the people in this book as they were about to enter the land, and as Moses was about to die. But today sees don't split and mana doesn't fall from heaven. So every day in this Holy Land we search for God's hand and we find it. We find it in the very fact that we have returned. And so the Book of devarm has a special meaning to me, to all of us here, and to all of you who are studying with me and sharing in the miracle, in the prophetic miracle of the return of the Chosen people. The book of Devarim, which means words. The first verse we read in this book of words is quote, these are the words that Moses spoke to all of Israel end quote. Moses spoke words meant to last forever, not just to those in the wilderness, but to all generations of Israel, including us, words of correction and rebuke, but from a place of love. When we know a command comes from someone who loves us, aren't we a little bit more willing to open our hearts and listen. That's why Moses's words carried weight, because he gave everything, his leadership, his life, his love for the people. He wasn't just speaking to them, he was living for them. Moses led the Israelites for forty years, but knew that he wouldn't enter the Promised Land himself. And still he pleaded with God, and do drid me three twenty five, Please let me go over and see the good land. But God and said no, why Maybe because Moses was living for more than his own journey. He was living for future generations of Israel, the chosen people who would inherit that land. He wasn't seeking his own glory, but the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. This mission is declared in the central prayer of the Jewish people, directly from Deuterotomy six' Four shemai isra El hashem Eloceno hashem chad here Oh, israel The, lord Our, god The lord is one The shemah. Prayer it's directly from, here and it's something that we say in all of our intense situations in life and in our traditional prayer three times a. Day it's our mission to Proclaim god's oneness to the world and to live As his chosen people. Are our mission is grounded In god's, covenant and While god empowers us to fulfill his covenant with strength comes. Responsibility In deuterotomy fifteen, eleven this is What god, says there will always be poor people in the. Land to, me this serves as a very strong reminder, then no matter how strong we might be or prosperous we. Become we must never forget to care for the. Vulnerable and that's why the work of The International fellowship Of christians And jews is so. Important we help the, poor we help the. Elderly we are there for the marginalized people In israel and around the. World you have now become the people of The lord Your. God what powerful words From deuterotomy twenty seventy. Nine these are literally telling us about becoming the chosen. People but these, words these, divarim weren't just meant for The, israelites but they are words for all of us for all. Time we are chosen not for, privilege but for, purpose to live according To god's word and show the world what it means to walk with. Him And god's word isn't distant or. Hidden In deuteratomy thirty we read the word is very near. You it is in your mouth and in your, heart so. 00:30:33 Speaker 3: You may obey. 00:30:34 Speaker 6: It god's word is woven into our daily. Lives his word is in our, hearts calling us to live As he. Intended we are his, people, chosen, strengthened empowered to Fulfill his, covenant to care for the, poor offer our best and live With his word always near our. Hearts so what does this ancient story mean for us. Today, well most of us won't wander a literal, desert but we each have our own wilderness times when we feel, lost unsure If god is still with us or. Not maybe you're waiting for a, promise a dream that feels out of. Reach you've heard the stories Of god's, faithfulness but they're hard to believe when you haven't experienced them for. Yourself But god has not forgotten his promises to you in the. Wilderness he is still, speaking still, leading and sometimes the waiting is part of the. Promise AS. C. S lewis once, WROTE i am sure That god keeps no one waiting unless he sees that it's good for him to. Wait in other, words your wilderness isn't. Wasted it's where you Hear god's. Voice it's where trust becomes. Real so whatever wilderness you find yourself and, today remember that the promised land is not far, off and the, wilderness perhaps that's where the deepest lessons are. 00:32:10 Speaker 1: Learned you can listen to The Chosen people With Yile Eckstein ad 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, Gattina Max, Bard Zach shellabager And Ben gammon are the executive producers Of The Chosen people With Yile. 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 Thomas Copeland, Junior Rosanna, pilcher and the opening prayer is voiced By John. Moore music By Andrew Morgan, smith written By Aaron, salvato Bre rosalie And Chris Special thanks To Bishop Paul, Lanier robin Van, Ettin Kayler, 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 With Yile, eckstein please rate and leave a, review