The Scourge of Amalek

00:00:00 Speaker 1: The Lord is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation. Exodus fifteen two. Dear Lord, you are our strength when we are weak, our refuge when we feel surrounded. You see the battles we face, those within and those around us, and you fight for us with unfailing power. We confess that we often try to stand on our own, we grasp for control, forgetting that victory belongs to you. Forgive us, Lord, for relying on our own strength instead of resting in yours. Teach us to be still in the midst of chaos. Help us to trust that you go before us, defending and delivering us from every fear. When our courage fades, Lift our hearts with your steadfast love. When our hands grow weary, renew our strength with your spirit. You are our salvation, Lord, our fortress and deliverer. May we walk in confidence knowing you are with us always. 00:01:17 Speaker 2: Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Chosen People. Remain here for a dramatic story inspired by the Bible. Be sure to leave a review and share your journey of faith today. 00:01:34 Speaker 3: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:01:38 Speaker 4: How can we trust what we cannot see? Where is our God? We could see the gods of Egypt, We had statues, temples and monuments. Is the Lord Nomad? Does he come and go like Moses? 00:01:55 Speaker 3: Moses turned to the eldest and stretched out his arms, his staff in his right hand. His knuckles were white around its shaft, steady and ready to strike. 00:02:07 Speaker 5: Is the Lord among us or not? 00:02:09 Speaker 3: No answer from the men, just a confused silence. 00:02:14 Speaker 5: Is the Lord among us or not? 00:02:16 Speaker 3: Again? The elders shrugged, unsure of how to answer. 00:02:20 Speaker 5: I ask you again, Is the Lord among us or not? 00:02:25 Speaker 3: Moses gripped his staff with both hands, widened his stance, shifted his hibs, and swung it at the stone. He struck it with brutal force, causing the outer layer of shale to crack. Immediately, her geezer burst out of the rock, spilling water out into the dirt below. The elders recoiled in shock and immediately rushed to the water to drink. Soon enough, the water found a crag and flowed downward towards the Israelite camp. Like the rivers cutting through Eden. The refreshing spring of God brought life. They were his children, his chosen people. He would not let them fall. 00:03:12 Speaker 6: If you would diligently listen to my voice and do that which is right in my eyes, and give you 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 shealer. 00:03:40 Speaker 3: O'ser sat up on the incline of the Rolling Hill, on a rocky outcropping, absent mindedly sharpening his hunting knife. He wasn't sure why he brought it with him that day. He had never needed anything beyond his staff to ward off predators from his family's flock. With everyone clustered around them the only water source in the area, help was never more than a shout away. But yet something prompted him to pocket the knife that morning when he arose. It was one of the few possessions that he took from Egypt. In fact, it was one of the only possessions he had at all. His parents had died before their exodus following the prophet Moses. All that remained for him and his siblings was a threadbare inheritance of a few tools and tattered garments. Hoshier gripped the knife. He did not relish the reminder of his life as a slave. But the blade was a useful tool, and Hosher was nothing if not practical. It was also perhaps a good reminder of the violence and oppression they had escaped. Others may be content to complain about their short memories, but Hosher was determined to remember the miraculous and wondrous things that God had done on their behalf. Hoshier went back to methodically shop, opening his knife, when between strokes he heard the undeniable snap of a twig behind him. The hair on the back of his neck stood. He whirled around and jumped to his feet. To his horror, a heavily armored man was climbing the slope behind him, clearly trying to catch him unawares. Time stood still, and the two men locked eyes. Hoshier in his thin linen shepherd's clothes and a small hunting blade, and the man, a mysterious warrior wielding a lethal jagged sword and other blades strapped to his leather armor. He had almost a foot and at least a decade on young Hosher. Hoshier still gripped his knife, but his staff leaned uselessly on the rock beside him, just out of reach. A knife would invite close combat, and Hoshier did not want to engage him in hand to hang combat with the man's superior reach and armor. Hoshier glanced over to his staff to jug which how far away it was to grab. The warrior took Hoshier's diverted gaze as an opportunity and charged forward, lifting his sword above his head and angling it down a blow that would surely split Hoshier's unprotected skull with minimal effort. Hoshier's eyes locked on the man in terror. Abandoning the idea of grabbing for his staff, Hoshier did the only thing that came to his stupefied mind. He yelled, out of pure adrenaline and instinct, closed his eyes and threw a gagger at the man who was ferociously closing the gap between them, weapon at its full apex, a squelching thunder blade finding flesh, and then a dull crumpling of a body hitting dust made Hoshier open his eyes. By some miracle, his blade found the only gap in the man's armor at his neck. Blood was still pumping as it spurted in an unsightly death rattle rhythm from the entry wood. He would have stood in shock for who knows how long. However, movement down the hill caught his eye. His mouth dropped as he beheld a sizeable host emerging from the haze of the desert at the bottom of the hill. He saw the tips of their spears above their heads and mighty shields in their hands. They were still aways off, and the heat of the desert distorted his view, but he could only assume they were as heavily armored as his attacker had been. The man had probably been a scout. He realized ho Sheer was the long occupier of the only high ground where they camped, that this hill also rocked the host in view, and it would take them only a short time to realize that their scout was not returning. Fear pushed back the wave of moors the hosher was feeling from the sickening sight of his kill. The terror gripped him as he realized that the armed force could mount this hill and be upon their camp in a matter of minutes. He had to tell someone he had to have survived this encounter for some reason. When he supposed this was it forgetting his lodged knife in a corpse's neck. Hoshea scooped up his staff from the rock and sprinted down the hill toward camp, screaming as loud as his lungs could support and raising the alarm that an attack was imminent. Moses was nursing a mounting headache as he listened to two men are their grievances? When the boy karened into camp. 00:08:27 Speaker 7: Shouting invaders, We're about to be attacked over that hill. 00:08:32 Speaker 3: Moses dismissed the men in front of him and nodded to Aaron Miriam and her Miriam's son to go and intercept the boy. They immediately did as he bid, and not even a heartbeat later, the boy was panting before him quickly, My son, what did you see, Moses? 00:08:52 Speaker 8: Beyond that hill, there's a great host who maybe several hundred men. 00:08:59 Speaker 7: They're not Egyptian that they are heavily armed. 00:09:02 Speaker 9: I was able to kill their scout before I ran here, but they will notice he is missing soon. 00:09:07 Speaker 8: And surely attack your name, My son, oh Jose, son of none. 00:09:13 Speaker 10: Your people, my people, your tribe, bouchet, A son of Nun Who are they? 00:09:20 Speaker 7: Ephria? I am of the tribe of Ephriam. 00:09:24 Speaker 3: Besides the hesitation in naming his tribe, this ho Shea had proven himself valuable by dispatching the scout. The young man standing before Moses was unassuming enough. He was grown, but still young, and lacked the gravitas to stand before his leader and speak confidently. But he was quick on his feet, and their God had granted him success and brought him here to warn Moses of the coming threat. Perhaps the boy, like his nation, could be molded. Aaron entered the tent swiftly, returning with a report. 00:09:58 Speaker 9: It's druemosts hearing reports of a host of men just beyond that ridge. The boy has spoken true. Our scouts estimate the numbers to be five hundred or. 00:10:07 Speaker 11: So, five hundred against our six hundred thousand men. How could they even dare against our numbers? And our numbers are even greater beyond the fighting men. 00:10:19 Speaker 3: Using the term fighting men for what we have is awfully generous of you, my son. 00:10:25 Speaker 11: How many of our men have actually wielded weapons, much less in battle? Aren't there a few who served as mercenaries in Barrow's army? Ha ha, perhaps a dozen of them, and they're old and rickety, now hardly enough to count on. 00:10:39 Speaker 9: Unfortunately, these approaching soldiers are fully armed with spears, swords, and shields. They may even have archers amongst their ranks. Oh, God save us. Most of our fighting men carry clubs and axes for defending their flocks. What are such weapons against bronze and iron? 00:10:57 Speaker 11: But still, perhaps they just mean to scare. We are camped around the only drinkable water in the area. They cannot truly intend to destroy millions, And do we know who they are? 00:11:10 Speaker 9: There are rumblings that there are Amalekites. 00:11:13 Speaker 11: Ah the line of Edom souls of Esau. Yes, these Amalkites are of Edom, descendants of Esau through his first son, Eliphaz. 00:11:24 Speaker 9: Yes, and perhaps the first of many foes we will meet before we enterkin him. They have traveled very far to have encountered us here. 00:11:31 Speaker 10: They are nomads in this land, and we stand between them and the only water source for miles. We must stand against them and show them we are not worth the effort. 00:11:41 Speaker 3: The three advisors dip their heads in agreement. Osha watched them intently and with intelligent eyes, but seemed content to be forgotten in the flurry of discussion between Moses in a. 00:11:53 Speaker 10: Circle, Osaya, select some men for us and go fight against Amelek tomorrow. We will stand up on the hilltop with our God's staff in my hand. 00:12:04 Speaker 3: Ho Shia gaped at Moses' words, but as the other three heads turned to him in surprise, he straightened his shoulders and held his head high before nodding in acknowledgment. Moses was pleased his instincts were right about this one. 00:12:19 Speaker 10: Go now and make your selections and ready for them for the battle. We only have a few swords at our disposal. Be sure to take one for yourself. See what weapons the other men have. If we have archers or those who can use a sling, organize them first and see what you can find for shields. You want to make sure our front lines are secure before you do anything else, and leave a small company in reserve behind to protect the women and children. 00:12:47 Speaker 9: Yes, Lord Moses, and go now and see it done. 00:12:50 Speaker 3: With that, young Hoshia ran off. Moses turned back to his advisers. 00:12:55 Speaker 11: That's a lot of trust for a boy you just met, Moses. 00:12:59 Speaker 3: He's alone. 00:13:00 Speaker 11: I'm of a boy against wolves. 00:13:02 Speaker 10: We are all lambs. Miriam, Lest you forget how the Lord delivered us from Vero. 00:13:09 Speaker 4: Very well, my brother, what will you have me? 00:13:11 Speaker 7: Did? 00:13:12 Speaker 3: Miriam? 00:13:13 Speaker 10: You are to organize the women and children, draw them in close so the defender's young hochea raises will not be spread too thin. Aaron and her, you're with me. Tomorrow at dawn, we'll view the battle from above and call upon the help of our God. 00:13:32 Speaker 3: Hosier's sweaty hands gripped his staff, and he drew a shuddering breath as he beheld the Amalekite army marching toward them. It may have been Hosher's imagination, but either the ground was shaking beneath the steady march of their impending footsteps, or his heartbeat had traveled fully into his head and was spilling out his ears. He could not recall a time he had ever been so scared. Lights stood before them in great numbers, but the tang of fear hung tensely in the air. They lacked experience, and resources and courage. They had all been mere slaves only weeks ago. Hosier had organized the men as Moses had asked. He delegated each tribe to assign their men to various roles and gather what weapons they had. Hosier stood at the back of the great host, in the general's position. He was still dumbfounded that anyone had listened to him at all, But they had, and now they kept looking between him, the tiny figure of Moses on the hilltop and the nearing enemy army. Hosher was tempted to despair. He felt unqualified, because well he was, he was no warrior. Hosier's shoulders slunk downward. But then a young man from the tribe of Judah placed a hand on his shoulder. His brow was furrowed with termination. His voice was deep for a man his age, but deeply reassuring. 00:15:05 Speaker 6: Do not be afraid, cheer, remember the lighty things that staff has done with Important Moses's hand. 00:15:14 Speaker 5: We await your command. 00:15:15 Speaker 6: Josea. 00:15:16 Speaker 3: Hoshier gave him a grateful smile and rallied his resolve. He then swallowed nervously, but schooled his face into neutrality as he kept his eyes on their leader, waiting for his command. The Amalekites halted before them in neat, disciplined lines. Their archers stood off and at an angle to avoid getting in the fray. Once the battle began in earnest. Their mighty shields were perfectly locked in an impenetrable line at the front of their column, and Hoshier could see a line of glistening spear tips extending far above them. Even if they somehow broke the line of shields, the spearmen could skewer them from a safe distance with a mighty blow. Far above their heads, carrion birds circled. One thing was sure, in mere hours they would feast on the armies below. No matter the outcome, The Amalekite seemed content to wait for the Green Israelite army to make the first move. It was as if they could sense the unease and inexperience across the field. Hoshier kept his focus on the force, but out of the corner of his eye waited for Moses's signal. He saw Moses take the staff in both hands and suddenly raised it over his head. Hoshia didn't realize how tightly he was wound until in response to the staff being raised overhead, Hoshier let out a roar. To his surprise, it was joined almost instantaneously by the entire Israelite army. The front lines carried their battle cry in their lungs as they charged towards the enemy's fortified lines. 00:16:58 Speaker 7: Artas knock draw loose. 00:17:02 Speaker 3: In answer, a thrum of arrows soared from bows and rained down on the shields of the Amalekites. By some miracle, many of the arrows fell the marks, felling several shield bearers, but the holes were quickly replenished with fresh men and shields. The front line of Israelites was almost to the enemy lines. 00:17:21 Speaker 7: Ah Jes again knock drao wose. 00:17:26 Speaker 3: For a second time. The arrows hummed over the army and found their marks. The lions faultered with this second wave just as the Israelites met them with axes and clubs. Shepherds and farmers clobbered the stuns seasoned Amalekites with unimaginable ferocity, beating them back. As the next wave of Israelites flooded in to relieve them, Hoshia charged himself with another group of men. They burst through the broken lines with ferocity foreign to slaves and peasants. But they were no longer slaves. Hoshia thought it best to remind. 00:18:00 Speaker 7: Them Pharaoh has been saying, you are no longer shane men. You are free. Fight, fight is free. 00:18:09 Speaker 5: Men. 00:18:10 Speaker 3: The men around Hoshia cheered and hollered. They were doing it somehow, and against all reason or odds, they were defeating their enemy. Hoshier shouted along with them and beamed at their triumphant leader, Moses, still holding his staff high above his head on the hill overlooking the battle. Sweat pooled at Moses' hairline and dripped down his neck. His knuckles were white and shaking as they gripped his staff above his head. Hoshia had found his stride leading the army. He orchestrated the few archers and slingshots. He had to time their assault to proceed with the waves of attack on the front line, and they were successfully chipping away at the enemy's lines little by little. Without thinking, Moses began to lower his now trembling arms as he leaned forward to watch the faltering lines. Victory seemingly within grasp with just a few more charges forward, But suddenly the booming voice of the Amalekite generally sounded, and an onymous twam of both strings responded. Hundreds of Israelites from the middle of the army crumpled to the ground. They were well beyond the protection of the shields. Moses could sense the Israelites recoil in fear as their concentration and confidence broke. The Amalekite spearmen then charged forward, tilting their iron weapons forward through tiny gaps in the shields. They broke through the front lines with these The side columns of their army then broke off and flanked the Israelites as the archers took out another round of men behind the front lines. The coordinated effort effectively cut off the front lines from the rest of the army, to be destroyed with no hope of retreat. 00:19:55 Speaker 4: Our men are waning, Moses, What well, what's happening? We were winning? 00:20:01 Speaker 3: And then Moses gaped helplessly at the scene before him. It all happened so fast, Aaron and who were equally engrossed in horror. But Moses realized what he had held in his hands, his God had promised to be with him and perform miraculous things with it. Moses thrust the staff into the air, as he had for the first part of the battle, and in response, the Israelite forces surged forward, throwing down their enemies. Those who hemmed in suddenly fell away, and another round of arrows and slung rocks aided their retreat to regroup. However, moses arms tired quickly, and they shook to keep the staff in the air. It was like a battle with forces beyond gravity and the favoring strength of his arm. He cried out in pain as the tremors of his arms shook through his entire body, as exhaustion sapped his body. As his arm arms began to lower, the enemy surged forward and took out another score of men. Moses had been entrusted to protect every one of them. If his God required he aid them in this strange way. He would not fail, though there were thousands of them. Each life Whilst weighed on his soul. He gritted his teeth until his head felt like it might explode. He strained against fatigue and towed the ground around him without taking his eyes off the battle before him. He finally felt the rocky seat he sought and collapsed, using the boulder's edge to support his trembling arms. 00:21:39 Speaker 10: I'm not sure how will last much longer. 00:21:42 Speaker 3: Aaron and hor tore their eyes away from the battle. They saw Moses waver and then turned back to see the battle's tides shift. They immediately realized what was happening. The momentum of the battle was dependent on moses resolve. Aaron rushed to his brother and wrapped his arms around. 00:22:01 Speaker 7: His old, steady little brother. 00:22:04 Speaker 3: I've got you, flashes of Moses as a babe came rushing back to him. He remembered holding his trembling body that fateful night when Pharaoh's men had come. Aaron's throat clenched and his chest tightened At the memory. He squeezed his brother as if trying to somehow give him his strength, or came to his uncle's side as well and took the other arm. Each one took an arm and assisted Moses in keeping the staff raised above his head. With their combined strength, the staff was hoisted back in the air, and how Shier was able to coordinate another successful striking. The Israelites, stuffed over their fallen brothers and enemies, threw themselves against shields, spears, and swords, and somehow prevailed. The ground was slick with blood and gore, but their steps were sure and their aim was true. The three men and held the staff steady together until the sun eventually went down and the very last enemy, Saltier was thrown down. The last light of the day was slipping over the ridge. Hoshier slew a final enemy with a side swipe of his sword to the leg, then a sudden jab upward to the throat. The enemy fell. Then Hoshier whirled around and raised his sword above his head to strike whoever was behind him. He paused as he discovered it was only the man from the tribe of Judah standing before him, hands. 00:23:38 Speaker 12: Raised deady he mOsm, they're all dead. 00:23:42 Speaker 4: We won. 00:23:44 Speaker 3: Hosier loosed a shaky sigh, lowered his sword, and surveyed the ground around him. The man was right. Hoshier stood in the middle of a lobsided, rough half circle of battered bodies. A haze of friends zeid bloodlust Hoshier had not known existed within him lifted as he took in the horror of the battlefield. He still held the sword he had started with, but it was now stained crimson with chunks of gore stuck to the edges. He surveyed the slain enemies around him, then looked beyond and saw similar piles around his countrymen. In irregular intervals, carrion birds were already feasting on the bodies on the tops of the piles on the outskirts of the battle. Hoshier's knees suddenly gave out, and he pitched forward. His companion ran forward to aid him, but Hoshier feebly waved him back, just in time to spare him from the vomit that spewed from his mouth. The man of Judah laughed as he clasped Hoshier on his shoulders and hoisted him to his feet. 00:24:51 Speaker 12: You let us well, my friend, with courage far beyond your years or experience. None of us has experienced anything like this before. So wonder you held your stomach this law. I was sick myself before the battle even began. I thought thought I might as well get it out of the way, so no one slept on. 00:25:09 Speaker 4: It on the field. Thank you, Sorry, I forget my manners. 00:25:16 Speaker 12: The name's Caleb, son of Jeffany. 00:25:19 Speaker 3: Thank you, Caleb, son of Jeffuny. 00:25:21 Speaker 9: I am Joseiah, son of none, pleased. 00:25:25 Speaker 4: To meet you, and even more pleased to share this victory with you. 00:25:30 Speaker 12: Ah, it looks like the prophet is summoning you. 00:25:33 Speaker 3: Ho Shier turned to look where Caleb gestured Moses was standing on the edge of the field waiting for Hoshier. He patted Caleb on the back by way of thanks, and took his leave. Hoshier approached Moses and saw that Aaron and her were nearby, but respectfully out of earshot, so Moses could address Hoshier privately. 00:25:58 Speaker 10: Hosheer, my son, you did everything I asked of you. 00:26:07 Speaker 3: You did well. Drank you, Moses. 00:26:10 Speaker 7: That means a great deal coming from you. 00:26:12 Speaker 10: As much as it grieves me to say this, I do not believe this battle will be the last of its kind. We have yet to cross into the Promised Land and have already met opposition, and the land itself is undoubtedly occupied by similar tribes and chiefdoms. I went to battle with my brothers in Egypt once or twice. However, I'm afraid age would keep me from leading the young men against our enemies. I'd have you lead the armist with me, or shall stand by my side. 00:26:44 Speaker 3: Learn from me? You honor me, are Moses. 00:26:48 Speaker 10: You have an obedient and faithful spirit. 00:26:52 Speaker 8: For such a spirit, there's no limit to what you can do on behalf of God and for our people come ill, have you walk with me I've ensured that the events of today have been recorded. It's important that you remember what our God did today. You'll need to remember this when the days again get hard and hope was scarce. 00:27:16 Speaker 3: Yes, sir, I will remember. 00:27:20 Speaker 7: This. 00:27:20 Speaker 3: Prey dot 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 Coltefianu. 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. 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.