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- [00:00]
Narrator
This is an Iheart podcast. Guaranteed human. Previously on the Chosen People.
- [00:08]
Moses
Who am I to do this task? I'm a rogue Egyptian and a former prince. They won't follow me. I'm no good for this. You're the wrong man.
- [00:21]
God
Once I have delivered my people and set them free, you will be bring them back to this mountain. I shall reveal myself to them and confirm my favor upon you.
- [00:36]
Moses
The Lord has seen your misery. He's heard your groaning. And he remembers his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
- [00:48]
Aaron
Years from now, when your children ask why we did this, you shall tell them what you've witnessed here. You shall tell them of the mighty hand of the Lord and how he delivered us from the chains of Egypt.
- [01:05]
God
My boy, you are tired.
- [01:07]
Aaron
I can see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice. And the people will notice. Reflect on the state of your soul. You should not be overseeing these trivial matters. You must be the one to represent the people before God, just as you've been doing. Bring their cases to him. Argue for them. Cry out for them. Yes, that much must stay. It is your job, your calling. You know your thing. And teach them, Moses. Teach them the laws, the statutes, the ways to live, and the things they must do.
- [01:51]
Narrator
Moses paused to catch his breath and leaned against a boulder protruding from the side of Mount Sinai. The air grew thinner as he climbed. Moses found that he needed to stop and rest. More frequently lately, he was feeling his age in his bones, in his lungs, and in his mind. Yet one thing remained. Curiosity. Moses eagerly sought the place where the Lord first spoke to him through the burning bush. Over a year had passed since he first laid eyes on that glorious light. Oh, how his life had changed since that fateful day. Curiosity had drawn Moses to go seek that spot out again. He led his people south into the Sinai Peninsula along the Red Sea. The roundabout was a far safer route than clinging to the heavily trafficked roads along the Mediterranean Sea. Even though this route was the safer and more pragmatic choice, Mount Sinai compelled Moses to lead them there. He wanted the people to see it and behold it, as he once had. He also wondered when else he would see this part of the world where he had spent so much of his life tending to Jethro's flocks. Simpler times. Moses often daydreamed about life before all this. Before the call of God radically changed his life. Before the burden of leadership. Before the constant white noise of complaints and infighting. After searching for a while, he found the approximate place of the holy fire. But it was Hard to say where it actually burned. But as he had felt countless times since that initial encounter, an urgent prompting urged him on. The presence he always felt tucked away in the back of his mind seemed to compel him forward, upward, to the mountain's peak. Mount Sinai. Moses climbed to the summit. The world stilled around him. The wind, tugging on his robe and beard, grew still, and he could no longer hear the distant sounds of people below. Moses recognized this place. He recognized the pulsating ground beneath him and the magnetic force surrounding him. Moses removed the sandals from his feet and lowered himself before the presence of the Lord.
- [04:27]
God
Moses, my servant.
- [04:31]
Moses
Yes, Lord.
- [04:32]
Narrator
I am here.
- [04:34]
God
Do you remember this place? The place where I first met you?
- [04:40]
Moses
I've dreamed about it every night.
- [04:42]
God
I have a message to give you. A command to the House of Jacob and an explanation to the Israelites.
- [04:51]
Narrator
Moses raised his eyebrows at the distinction of using both names of his people. The House of Jacob and the Israelites. The Lord was making it clear that this message was for everyone to hear. Not only his elders and appointed leaders, but all the men, the women and the children.
- [05:11]
God
Tell them that you have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself.
- [05:21]
Narrator
The image that sprang into Moses mind was that of a mother eagle, soaring strong and sure, wings outstretched under her young taking flight. For the first time, it was abundantly clear that his God was the protector of his people also.
- [05:38]
God
Tell them this now. If you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples all throughout the whole earth. You will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation. These are the words that you are to say to the children of Israel.
- [06:06]
Narrator
Again, vivid images sprang into Moses mind. Images of the covenant made long ago with Abraham. Moses saw visions of the father of nations sleeping in the wild. He beheld the smoking firepot and the flaming torch dancing in the space between bleeding animal carcasses. All of it was brutal and barbaric, yet binding, intimate. Moses was reminded that he and the children of Israel were threads in a much grander tapestry. Then the vision shifted without warning. A staircase hewn of polished, gleaming stone, glowing with ethereal light, ascending into the heavens. And then it shifted again. A staggering view of the night sky flashed before him. Stars, uncountable and swirling all around him. He was overwhelmed by the wondrous heavens, spinning and sprawling. Flashes of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob flew before him. He heard whispers of their prayers and the vibrating voice of the Lord making them unbreakable promises. Moses desperately tried to steady himself under the swirling expanse. He fell forward to catch himself on a stone. But instead of the rock beneath his feet, he found he could see the entire earth spread below. It was still and firm, but somehow he could behold all of it. He glimpsed terrain he didn't understand. Blue swathes without end. Ice. Tangled forests, Sweeping grasslands, Rolling hills and towering mountains. He saw people at war. He saw builders. He saw kings. He saw shepherds. All kinds of people. His mind's eye was then fixed on a secret garden, more beautiful than anything he had ever seen. Lush greenery and fresh water. He could feel the coolness of the garden and the moist mist kissing his cheeks. He could taste the sweet water and smell the fruit growing from each tree. He had never seen anything like it, but yet somehow it. It felt familiar. It felt like home. A home he had never known. His heart panned with sadness and joy. Tears brimmed in his eyes. Emotions he could not put into words or thought coursed through his body. It seemed so very far away. Farther than he could ever travel in a lifetime. Unattainable, but so very profoundly beautiful. Movement outside the garden beckoned his gaze to shift. Outside the garden, he saw his people. But they were not his people. They were something more. They wore priestly garments. They were rebuilding ancient ruins. They were restoring former devastations. They were renewing ruined cities. They stood apart from the other peoples of the earth as they ministered in the name of their God. They knew no shame. They walked in abundance and rejoiced. Their joy was so remarkable, somehow Moses knew in his bones that he was catching a glimpse of the future. An eternal future, written by God himself. It was unshakable. This was the holy nation of their God. They had only to keep the covenant. The Lord was outlining a contract, a vassal treaty with them. Moses heart leaped in anticipation. He was desperate to see this vision come to fruition. He steeled his heart to lead his people and ensure they upheld the law of their God. If only they could see. The vision that stood still danced in his mind's eye.
- [10:08]
God
I will come to you in a dense cloud so that people will hear when I speak to you and always believe you. Now go and report the words that I have spoken to you to the people so that they can agree to keep this contract.
- [10:26]
Narrator
Moses felt the presence in the back of his mind lift slightly and the sounds and sights of the mountain returned to him as they had before. He hurried down the mountain to Duke as his God had asked. Moses summoned the elders and conveyed the words of their God. He then sent them out to disperse the news to the people, just as his father in law had taught him. He then had them and their representatives gather before him the next day to give their answers. Would they uphold the contract of their God and commit to obeying his commands? The answer that came thundering back to Moses was a resounding yes. Moses again climbed the mountain and reported the people's words to his God. The clouds surrounded him and the wind tugged at his robe. He shouted over the howling storm, arms.
- [11:23]
Moses
Outstretched, lord most high, the people have an answer. They have chosen to follow you. They have chosen to worship you and you alone.
- [11:37]
God
Good. Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day. For on the third day, I will come down on this mountain in the sight of all the people. Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say, be careful that they don't go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death. No hand may touch the offender. Instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows. They may go upon the mountain when the shofar sounds a long blast.
- [12:20]
Narrator
For the second time in 24 hours, Moses hurried down the mountain to convey the words of his God. He could not believe it. They were to see their God descend upon the very mountain he was climbing down. They were to purify themselves to prepare for his arrival. He wondered at the severity of the punishment for encroaching on the holiness of the ground their God would touch. He would need to be very clear with his people. He did not want them to be confused or ignorant of their God's instructions. He would not have anything terrible before them on his watch. Mere hours later, he again stood before the people and their representatives and told them what would unfold in three days time.
- [13:08]
Moses
You are to consecrate yourselves to prepare for our God's arrival. I will go out with my elders now and mark the boundaries at the foot of the mountain. Remember, it is critical that you prepare yourselves and obey these guidelines. The penalty for disobedience is death. Hold fast, for in three days we will behold our God.
- [13:36]
Narrator
The crowd let up a mighty cheer at Moses words. His heart swelled with pride. Since Jethro's departure, leading the people had become more manageable. And now they were entering into a formal treaty with their God. They were inching closer and closer to possessing the land they had been promised. They were being formed into the prophesied nation. Moses set off to mark the boundaries by the mountain with Aaron and his sons Nadab and Abihu, who they were training up to be elders. On the way out of camp, Miriam sent her son to join them for favouritism. Being shown to Aaron's sons could not stand in her eyes. Moses also saw Hoshea as they departed and had him join them as well. He wanted the younger men to be trained up and to learn from the elders as their nation was getting more established. A crack of lightning splattered across the sky far above Moses tent, illuminating his sleeping quarters for an instant before returning it to the gray of early morning. A clap of thunder sounded right on its heels. Moses eyes shot open. He frowned. The sky had been perfectly clear the day before. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and suddenly remembered that it was the morning of the third day. He sprang to his feet and peered out of his tent. Sure enough, a thick cloud gathered above the mountain. It was as if every cloud that would have been in the sky had been pulled into the mountain. The skies in all directions were empty. It was as if the mount was determined to be the focal point of all their natural wonders in the surrounding wilderness. It was not raining, but the electricity from the lightning building within the clouds could not be contained. The crackling light illuminated the clouds over and over again as a deep rumble of thunder reverberated down the steep slopes of the mountain. Moses hurriedly dressed himself, donning his cloak, and snatched up his staff as he strode out of his tent and through the camp. He saw people beginning to stir and gather outside their tents, eyes fixed on the clouds above. Miriam stared up at the clouds perched on the mount above. As she jogged through camp searching for Moses, she felt humbled by what stood before them. Aaron trotted alongside her, uncharacteristically silent but equally awed. His mouth hung open as they hurried along. Whenever she thought their God could no longer surprise her, she was surprised again. Even when she knew what was coming. The very laws of nature were bent and twisted before God's will. They stopped before Moses, who was already stationed at the edge of camp, waited for what would come next. Without looking at them, eyes fixed high above, he spoke to his older siblings.
- [16:43]
Moses
Are all our elders in place to monitor the boundaries when we are called out?
- [16:48]
God
Yes, we are as prepared as possible.
- [16:52]
Narrator
Aaron spoke at last and had managed to sneak a smile onto his broad face. The draw of his easy charisma drew the other siblings gaze toward him. They grinned at one another for a moment before Turning their gaze back to the mountain. Just then, the unmistakable sound of ram's horns rang out from the heights of the mountain to every corner of their camp. Miriam could not fathom where the sound came from, but this was their sign that they were moving out. Moses turned to the two of them and nodded. Miriam and Aaron nodded back in unison, and the three of them led the Israelites out to meet their God. The ringing of the shofars resounded through the camp, and Hoshea could feel the echoes pulsate in his skull. The sound enveloped him and the others as Moses marched them out of camp toward the mountain. Hoshea still couldn't believe Moses appointed him to lead his tribe to their designated boundary to wait for their God. His tribe leader still led them, but Hoshea ensured no one stepped over the line or got into danger. Moses had made it clear that no mercy would be shown to anyone who disobeyed, and Hoshea could not imagine failing Moses or violating the instructions of their God. He threw back his shoulders and straightened his spine as he walked alongside his tribal leader at the head of their column toward the mountain, the trumpets still ringing in his ears. The people in Hoshea's column shuddered at the noise in either anticipation or fear, perhaps both. Hoshea offered them a confident smile and an encouraging nod as he gestured for them to follow. Follow him toward the foot of the mountain. Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, stood at the boundary they had set days before, tasked with keeping the people back until whatever was going to happen happened. Hur, Miriam's son, led his column with a dutiful, obedient stance. Nadab smirked and pointed it out to Abihu, who let out a chortle, subtle, yet sharp enough for Hur to catch. Hur frowned, murmured to his neighbor, and made his way over to confront his cousins.
- [19:18]
Aaron
What is it, cousin? You heard Moses commands. Left your post, have you?
- [19:24]
Moses
Only to make sure you two are staying in line.
- [19:27]
Aaron
Well, now that you're here, inspect away.
- [19:30]
Narrator
Anything amiss.
- [19:31]
Aaron
Are we not following orders to the letter?
- [19:35]
Moses
You are, but as always, you seem to lack the gravity of your responsibilities.
- [19:42]
Aaron
Then back to your boundary, cousin, or I might throw the same accusation at you.
- [19:49]
Narrator
Nadab sneered at his cousin's back as he retreated back to the head of his column, and Abihu snickered. His laugh was cut short. As the ringing of the trumpets intensified, drowning out all other noise. The clouds above the mountain suddenly turned to an inky black smoke. Nadab glimpsed pure and unrelenting flames descending on the mountain through the clouds from the heavens. The heat of the fire caused thick plumes of smoke to billow out and consume the clouds. The fire poured downward toward the top of the mountain, and when it finally met stone and rock, the mountain shook violently. So great was the impact that Nadab stumbled forward, Toles almost grazing the boundary line before him. He yanked his feet back and slipped into his brother. The people around him didn't fare much better. The ground beneath their feet rolled in aftershock waves in response to the rumbling mountain. Nadab hadn't experienced anything quite like this. It was terrible and wondrous to behold. Smoke stung his eyes and coated his throat. He blinked and looked around, seeing soot and ash falling like snow on the Israelites. He then looked up and gasped. The sky was blotted out in darkness. Moses had been thrown to the ground like everyone else had, and his knees stung from the impact. Aaron was up faster than he was and hauled him to his feet. A deep roll of thunder boomed from the column of smoke and the mountain shuddered again in response. A look of unverbalized concern danced across Aaron's face as they struggled to regain footing, but Moses took a step forward toward the foot of the mountain. His feet were still within the boundaries, but he stood on the edge, staff in hand, ready for what would come next. The shofars were roaring so loud that the sound was still climbing. He could barely hear himself think, but he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. It was thumping against his rib cage as adrenaline course through his body. Moses coughed and tried to lodge the soot from his throat so he could speak.
- [22:07]
Moses
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.
- [22:23]
God
You, Moses, My servant, come to me on the mountain.
- [22:31]
Narrator
And so Moses took one step, another and another, across the boundary line into the darkness that was gathered on the mountain and stretching into the sky above, he began his climb.
- [22:53]
Producer/Announcer
This prey.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Catena, Max Bard, Zach Schellewager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Caltofianu 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 Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more prey.com productions on the prey.com app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the chosen people, please rate and leave a review.
- [23:39]
Narrator
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.