Returning to God

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. Jerusalem, once called the City of the Great King, now lay bare like bones beneath the evening sky. 00:00:12 Speaker 2: You see, Lord, you see it. All this city bears your name. Restore her for your glory. 00:00:24 Speaker 1: Weeks past, the wall grew higher, stronger, but so did the threads. 00:00:31 Speaker 2: But we do not retreat, We do not pause. 00:00:34 Speaker 1: We prepare 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. 00:00:51 Speaker 3: We're starving Nearmiah, and. 00:00:54 Speaker 1: Who profits from our suffering? 00:00:57 Speaker 4: Our own brothers? 00:00:58 Speaker 2: Oh Lord, how can we build thosens bone while carrying each other apart from within Jerusalem? 00:01:06 Speaker 1: And myself? Not by strength alone, but through the quiet, steady faithfulness of one who chose obedience over fear, sacrifice over comfort, and service over power. 00:01:25 Speaker 5: Shello, my friends, from here in the Holy Land of Israel. I'm ya l Exstein 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. 00:01:59 Speaker 4: Us a review. 00:02:00 Speaker 5: 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. 00:02:15 Speaker 1: The gentle rustling of parchment filled the quiet chamber, bathed softly in the morning's muted glow. Neamiyah sat at a small wooden table, fingers carefully tracing over scrolls detailing the names of families, priests, and levites who had returned from exile. His brow furrowed with concentration, eyes reflecting the weight of responsibility resting on his heart. Hannah and I stepped softly into the room, careful not to disturb his brother's deep contemplation. Neamiyah's eyes lifted slowly from the scroll. 00:02:58 Speaker 4: These names, they are more than incomparchment, Their stories, families, legacies, lives, once gathered, now restored. 00:03:10 Speaker 1: Hannah and I nodded thoughtfully, studying near Mayah's serious demeanor. 00:03:15 Speaker 3: And yet, brother, walls and gates alone do not rebuild a nation. 00:03:21 Speaker 4: Exactly. The city stands secure. But now we must restore the hearts of the people to their God. 00:03:28 Speaker 1: Nehemiah rose slowly, determination, brightening his tired eyes as he gathered the scrolls and pressed them into his brother's hands. 00:03:38 Speaker 4: Called Ezra, it's time for people to hear clearly from God's word again. 00:03:45 Speaker 1: Days later, dawn spilled golden wall over the crowded square by Jerusalem's watergate. The people gathered, whispering with anticipation, pressing forward as Ezra ascended the wooden platform built for the occasion. At his appearance, the murmurs hushed, giving way to reverend's silence. Ezra carefully unrolled the ancient scroll. His voice rang clear and solemn, carrying across the square. 00:04:16 Speaker 3: Bless it be the Lord, the Great God. 00:04:20 Speaker 1: At once a unified chorus rose from the multitude. Their voices lifted together like a stampede, quaking the earth beneath them. Ezra began reading from the law, words flowing like streams into the thirsty hearts below. Faces that first shone with curiosity soon grew somber, reflecting the deep conviction piercing their souls. Tears gathered as recognition of their failings welled within them. A woman held her children close softly. Weeping men bowed their heads low, their strong shoulders trembling. The entire congregation felt the heavy weight of truth settling upon their spirits. Nehemiah, watching from the side, was moved deeply. He stepped forward beside Ezra, raising a gentle hand to quiet the rising sobs. 00:05:23 Speaker 4: Do not grieve my people. To day is wholly to our Lord. Rejoice for your understanding as a sign of his mercy. 00:05:33 Speaker 1: He smiled warmly, lifting his voice with renewed vigor. 00:05:38 Speaker 4: Go enjoy choice food in sweet drink, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. Do not mourn, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 00:05:50 Speaker 1: A gradual transformation washed over the crowd. Sorrow gave way to quiet joy. Tears turned into relieved smiles. Laughter softly returned as families embraced, hearts uplifted by forgiveness and mercy. In the following days, Jerusalem's streets filled with vibrant life, as booths made of branches sprang up across every square and courtyard. It was the feast of tabernacles, a celebration that had been neglected for generations, now returning with joyous intensity. The air was rich with laughter, song, and the savory aroma of roasting meats and fresh bread. Families gathered closely under temporary shelters, recalling stories of God's deliverance. Children dashed through the streets, their joyous cries mingling with prayers of thanksgiving. Elders sat by fires, recounting memory of past celebrations to those hearing it for the first time. Neamiah moved among them, hearts swelling with quiet satisfaction. Hanna and I approached his face beaming. 00:07:15 Speaker 3: Look around, brother, has Jerusalem ever felt so alive? 00:07:20 Speaker 1: Naemiah lifted his eyes, but his gaze passed quickly from the earth to the heavens above. 00:07:27 Speaker 4: Alive because they've remembered the God who breathes life. 00:07:31 Speaker 1: Neemiah paused, watching families share meals beneath leafy canopies, their joy evident. Yet beneath his gentle smile lay a deeper prayer. 00:07:44 Speaker 4: Let this revival linger on it, Let it reshape us permanently. Days of celebration culminated in an assembly marked by humility and reverence. Jerusalem's streets filled once more under a sobering atmosphere. The joyful garments were exchanged for rough sackcloth. The air was thick with solemn reflection. 00:08:12 Speaker 1: Ash covered heads bowed low as the people collectively confessed their sins. Ezra stepped forward again, voice steady but tender. 00:08:23 Speaker 3: We stand before you, God, acknowledging our disobedience. Yet you remain faithful even in our wandering. 00:08:32 Speaker 1: The Levite's voices carried earnestly on the coattails of Ezras. 00:08:37 Speaker 3: You alone, our God, creator of heaven and earth, You guided, disciplined, and restored us. 00:08:46 Speaker 1: Forgive us once more. 00:08:48 Speaker 3: We return wholeheartedly. 00:08:52 Speaker 1: Nehemiah's heart filled with awe at the sincerity of repentance. He moved forward, speaking firmly yet gently. 00:09:02 Speaker 4: Let us make this day a solemn promise before our God. We will no longer drift or compromise. We will cling to his commands. 00:09:12 Speaker 1: Neemiah stepped back, watching elders and families step forward, eagerly, sealing their vows on parchment. A tangible sense of unity and purpose swept through the assembly, binding hearts together in sacred resolve. Evening descended softly stars shimmering overhead, illuminating a city transformed. Neemiah stood alone atop Jerusalem's walls, reflecting on all he had witnessed. The city now stood strong, not merely in stone and timber, but in the renewed faithfulness of its people. Footstep approached quietly. Ezra stood beside him, eyes serene, yet deeply moved. 00:10:07 Speaker 3: What began with bricks and mortar has become something far greater. See what our Lord has done. 00:10:15 Speaker 1: Nehemiah pursed his lips as he lay a rugged hand on Ezra. 00:10:19 Speaker 4: Our real strength isn't in walls is good, It's in heart surrendered to God. For every brick the Lord has raised to build this wall, he has stripped away, hardened hearts that one separated a nation from her Lord. 00:10:33 Speaker 1: Ezra smiled gently, nodding slowly, eyes closed, He rubbed his hands together slowly, their coarseness, speaking to years of a faith lived out. 00:10:47 Speaker 3: May we always remember this truth. 00:10:50 Speaker 1: Nehemiah looked up to the heavens, his voice gentle and reflective. 00:10:55 Speaker 4: Remember us, O, God, preserve this moment. Keep our hearts fail. 00:11:01 Speaker 1: Silent settled comfortably around them, filled with quiet certainty. From below, rose soft sounds of worship and fellowship, affirming Nehemiah's prayer. Jerusalem stood complete, renewed, and restored, not merely by human hands, but by the grace and mercy of the one who held them all together. Nehemiah breathed a quiet prayer of gratitude, knowing Jerusalem's revival had begun not in the laying of stones, but in hearts returning fully to God. 00:11:43 Speaker 4: May this revival last through every generation. Let your city bewaken, reminding all issues that your mercy endors forever. 00:11:54 Speaker 1: As stars sparkled gently in the darkness, Jerusalem rest It's secure and could firmly not buy wars alone, but by a steadfast, renewed devotion that bound every heart to the unchanging faithfulness of their God. 00:12:21 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 IV. Hashem vischmerchra yeah heer hashempanave ele y sa hashempanavelera shaloon. 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 ward you and give you peace. 00:13:02 Speaker 4: Amen. 00:13:04 Speaker 1: You can listen to the Chosen People with Yle 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 Mitch Leshinsky, and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller. Rap by Edward Abramson. And the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. 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