Narrator (1:59)

Hagar was amazed at the words of the messenger. She wondered at the power and authority of his God.

God / Divine Messenger (2:06)

Sarai, I received word that you sent for me. Lady Sarai. I received found your husband. Will you require?

Abraham (2:14)

The name means God hears.

Narrator (2:19)

Abram could not shake the feeling that in taking matters into their own hands, they had indeed fallen short.

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Narrator (4:57)

Ishmael wrestled in the dirt with another boy. The two youths grappled with the exuberance of untamed cults, their limbs entwined in a playful but fierce struggle for dominance. Dust swirled around them, intermixed with laughter and grunts. Abram's heart swelled with pride as he observed how much his son had grown in the these 13 years. He was almost a man now, and Abram had taken to building into his education, shaping him for the days to come.

Abraham (5:31)

Hmm, he'll make a fine clan leader one day.

Narrator (5:36)

All that he had would be Ishmael's One day and everything Abram's God had promised would be fulfilled. Abram would have loved any child he had, but this one born to him at his advanced age and with the weight of the promise of the legacy before him, held a very special place in his heart. Shouts of laughter announced what appeared to be the final round of the boys wrestling match.

Abraham (6:03)

Well done, Ishmael. Well done.

Narrator (6:07)

Thank you, Father. Grinning ear to ear, Ishmael trotted over to Abram, and Abram affectionately ruffled his hair, feeling the fine strands beneath his calloused fingers. Am I to go with you today?

Abraham (6:22)

If your mother can spare you, yes. I would have you join me or Eleazar every day so that you can learn what it is to oversee the herds and the land. Good.

Narrator (6:34)

I'll have to let mother know I'm going with you.

Abraham (6:37)

Go and tell her and meet me in an hour's time. We'll meet back here.

Narrator (6:42)

Ishmael ran off to do what Abram had asked, his youthful energy propelling him forward with the speed of a gazelle. In the years since Hagar had born Ishmael, Abram had tried to give her as comfortable a life as he could without upsetting his wife. Abram was no fool. He knew that the women despised each other. He had situated Hagar's tent far from the his and Sarai's. He also avoided bringing the boy around because he sensed that the sight of him upset Sarai in deeper and darker ways than even seeing his mother. Abram hated living this way, but it seemed to be the only solution that could be found in the fallout of his decision all those years ago. Abram continued his walk through the tents, greeting the various faces who paused their way work to acknowledge him. His people revered him, and their respect was evident in their deferential nods and murmured greetings. Abram left the camp to take a stroll into the fields, a ritual that brought him a semblance of peace amidst the tumult of his household. He took the same walk each day, hoping to hear from his God. And if he heard nothing, then he he would spend the time reflecting on all that he had and all that he had to look forward to. Here, in the solitude of the plains, he sought communion with his God. On this day, like countless before, he walked contemplating the breadth of his blessings and the promises yet to be fulfilled. Suddenly, a profound stillness descended upon him, a silence that spoke of the Divine. Abram fell to his knees, his face to the ground, awaiting the voice of the Almighty.

God / Divine Messenger (8:31)

Abram, my servant, you have been Walking with me now for many years. You know me as your God, As El Elyon, God Most High. And now I will tell you that I am El Shaddai, God Almighty. Through my majestic strength, it is I alone who has the ability to supply abundantly. When I came to you all those years ago, I told you that I would multiply you greatly. I even came to you and set up a covenant. The everlasting promise of my word.

Narrator (9:22)

Abram remembered it well. He could still see the terrible darkness between the animal halves and then the smoking fire, pot and torch that crossed between them. As long as he lived, he would never forget such a sight.

God / Divine Messenger (9:37)

I come to you now to affirm that promise again and complete the covenant we cut in the ways of your people. Our agreement must be sealed with a covenant mark, and we shall have a ceremony of the exchanging of names. My name and reputation will come to cover your own. I have told you what my name means, and through it you will know that I will supply everything you need. You need. Not long outside my provision to make my promise come to pass.

Narrator (10:16)

Abram shifted on his feet. He could not help but think of the tension between Sarai and Hagar. He loved Ishmael, and he was forever grateful that he was born. But how it came to be still troubled him greatly.

God / Divine Messenger (10:30)

In our exchanging of names, I would have yours change to reflect the promise I have given you. Your name will now be Abraham.

Narrator (10:45)

The words vibrated in Abraham's chest. The name felt familiar but held a new weight. Abraham, Father of nations. He felt his knees shaking and leaned on his staff, his heart racing and hands trembling. He strained to hear more from El Shaddai.

God / Divine Messenger (11:05)

I will make you the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and even kings come from you.

Narrator (11:21)

Abraham wondered at the significance of the new name. He was 99 years old and had only recently fathered his first child, and the promise of fruitfulness in his lifetime seemed to be a stretch. What would his friends and neighbors think of this new name?

God / Divine Messenger (11:39)

The covered covenant I made with you will also be between your future offspring throughout their generations. What's more is that when your offspring possess this land of Canaan, it will be a permanent possession. As I am your God, I will be their God as well. As you have walked with me, they will walk with me. They will fulfill and live in the reality of this permanent covenant as my chosen people. And because this covenant would be kept throughout generations, I would invoke another part of the covenant to signify this agreement.

Narrator (12:32)

The seal Abraham knew that this seal was usually achieved by drawing blood, which would eventually scar and serve as a reminder of the covenant.

God / Divine Messenger (12:44)

This shall be our mark and it shall serve as a sign of the covenant between us. Every one of the males in your household, whether they are born into it or adopted family or servant, must be circumcised. You must come cut the flesh of your foreskin. From this day forward, throughout your generations, every male among you is to be circumcised at 8 days old. Through that ceremony, my covenant will be marked into their flesh as a reminder of this permanent covenant. If any male is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that man would be cut off from his people. It will be said of him that he has broken my covenant. Now, as for your wife Sarai, as I have given you a new name, she will receive a new one as well. She will be known as Sarah. As you will be the father of many nations, she will also be blessed. I will give you a son by her. I will bless her and she will produce these nations I have spoken of. Mighty kings of people will come from her.

Narrator (14:17)

Stunned, Abraham lifted his head, barely able to comprehend the enormity of the vision laid before him. He fell face down again, stifling a laugh.

Abraham (14:32)

How can this be? How can a 90 year old woman bear a child? I am nearly 100 as well, and it's just as implausible for me. I don't understand God Almighty. Why can my legacy not be fulfilled through Ishmael? I have already adopted him and made him my heir. Wouldn't this be sufficient to achieve all that you have said will come to pass?

God / Divine Messenger (15:01)

Shall my promises be fulfilled by you? Did I not walk through blood while you slept? Your plans shall not prevail over mine. No, Abraham. Your wife Sarah will surely bear you a son. Because you laughed at the prospect. You shall name the boy Isaac. It is through him that I will confirm my covenant with you and with all your future offspring. When you speak his name, you will remember this moment. And you will remember that what I said would come to be has happened. As for your son Ishmael, I know that you love him. I have already made this promise to his mother, Hagar. But I will tell you as well, I will bless him. He will similar way, be fruitful and multiply. He will go on to father 12 tribal leaders and I will make him into a great nation. But it is with your son Isaac, with whom I will confirm my governance. You will see your wife Sarah will bear him to you at this time next year.

Narrator (16:28)

And as suddenly as Abraham's God appeared to Abraham, he was gone.

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Ryan Seacrest (17:33)

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Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang (18:04)

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Narrator (19:00)

The dust off his knees. He was still amazed at the news that he was to have another son, one with his wife Sarai Sarah. He supposed that would also take some getting used to. Abraham hurried back toward the tents. He had agreed to meet Ishmael, but now he also had to arrange for the circumcisions of all the men under his protection. He knew that this would not only honour his God and show him that he was faithful to obey, but it would also mark them as men who were set apart from all other men. In a way, this ceremony would give all of them a new identity, just as Abram had assumed a new identity as Abraham. Abraham, walking fully in this new identity and name, called all the men of his household together. He called physicians to meet them as well, in anticipation of what he was about to command for all of the men.

Abraham (19:59)

Brothers, my family. I have gathered you all together for a very special purpose. First, I know many of you have been with me from our time in Harran and have followed me faithfully ever since then. You have believed in me, and through that faith you have come to believe the commands of my God. I cannot express my gratitude for the faithfulness of your characters. Thank you for your loyal friendship.

Narrator (20:31)

Abraham looked out at the men in the crowd before him. Eliezer met his gaze with steadiness. He knew Eliezer would follow him wherever he would go and do whatever he asked without question. Abraham could not find a more faithful servant anywhere. Then his gaze fell upon his son, Ishmael. The boy grinned up at him. Abraham smiled back. He could do no wrong in the boy's eyes. He looked up at him in admiration. He knew that Ishmael would similarly obey whatever he asked of him.

Abraham (21:06)

I have heard from our God, El Elyon, God Most High. He gave me a new name to call Him El Shaddai, God Almighty. The last time he spoke with me, he cut a covenant with me on all of our behalf. His promises to us will be upheld, and what's more, they will be everlasting. Through this new revelation of his name, he tells us of his mighty ability to supply what we need in abundance.

Narrator (21:40)

There were murmurs of acknowledgment and understanding throughout the gathered crowd.

Abraham (21:45)

To complete the covenant, he gave my wife and me new names. We are now Abraham and Sarah. Our old way of living is done. This completion of the covenant is the start of a new way of living. Now there's a role for you all to play as well. This promise is not just for me and Sarah. It is for our entire people to further complete the covenant. We as a people are to seal this covenant with a mark. Every male in our household today and every day after will become circumcised. Now I know this is a practice done by other nations, but for us, this will forever mark our separation, purity and loyalty. We will be forever set apart from all other nations on earth, for we have been chosen by El Shaddai for this purpose.

Narrator (22:52)

Again there were rumblings of agreement in the crowd. The men were united around their leader Abraham and their God.

Abraham (23:01)

Our covenant mark will symbolize the everlasting promise of our God. Any man in my household from this day forward who does not bear this mark will be cast out. You will be considered an outsider. The men of El Elyon, God Most High, will be circumcised. I say it again, the men of El Shaddai will be circumcised.

Narrator (23:28)

Shouts in response from the men gathered around Abraham.

Abraham (23:32)

Now who will step up and show me they are loyal? Who will show me they are willing to be set apart from all other peoples who will be marked by their faithfulness?

Narrator (23:46)

The men in the crowd roared in response. Abraham beamed at them. This felt like the beginning of a brand new chapter for his God's chosen people. This prey.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Catena, Max Bard, Zach Shellavager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Caltefianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr. Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Leschinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Bree Rosely and Chris Baig. You can hear more Pray.com productions on the Pray.com app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the chosen people, please rate and leave a review.

Ryan Seacrest (24:44)

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Narrator (26:16)

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Abraham (26:27)

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Narrator (26:31)

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Abraham (26:36)

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Narrator (26:41)

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Narrator (27:15)

This is an I Heart podcast.