Moses in Midian

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: The Chosen People – "Moses in Midian"

Host: Pray.com
Episode Date: January 6, 2026
Theme: Moses in Exile – Identity, Alienation, and New Purpose

---

Episode Overview

This episode of The Chosen People offers a vivid retelling of Moses' flight from Egypt, his spiritual and physical exile, and his rediscovery of identity and purpose among the people of Midian. Through immersive storytelling and evocative dialogue, the episode explores themes of alienation, guilt, the struggle for belonging, and the subtle emergence of hope and purpose. The narrative dramatizes Moses’ journey from an outcast fugitive to a man finding solace and meaning in a foreign land, ultimately highlighting the universal quest for identity and calling.

---

Main Discussion Points & Narrative Highlights

1. Haunted Escape: Guilt and Self-Doubt

• Moses’ Crime and Flight (00:38–02:29)
  The episode opens with Moses caught between worlds—neither fully Egyptian nor Hebrew—and acting to stop the oppression of Hebrew slaves. In a fit of anger, Moses kills an Egyptian overseer.
  • Memorable moment: Moses’ horror as he realizes what he's done:

    "What have I done? Who am I?" —Narrator as Moses (02:13)

• Moses flees, wracked by guilt and pursued by fear, cast into the desert as an exile.

2. The Ordeal in the Wilderness

• Physical and Spiritual Desolation (04:55–07:13)
  Moses collapses in the desert, suffering physically and being tormented by hallucinations of people from his past—his grandfather, Pharaoh Seti, his adoptive mother Bicha, and a mysterious woman offering comfort.
  • Notable line from a hallucination:

    "You should never have lived." —Jethro (as a phantom) (06:11)

  • Bittersweet blessing and rebuke:

    "I should have never saved you. You aren't a blessing, but a curse." —Zipporah (in vision, 06:34)

• Moses finally finds water at a well, deeply relieved and momentarily at peace.

  "For the first time in days, he felt something close to peace." —Narrator (09:46)

3. A New Challenge: The Daughters at the Well

• Rescuer, Not Outcast (10:50–14:51)
  Moses observes seven young women, including Zipporah, threatened by hostile local shepherds at a well. Overcoming his exhaustion, he intervenes, using a shepherd’s staff to fight the men off and protect the women.
• Crucial moment of self-restraint:

  "How does it feel... to be helpless?" —Moses, nearly consumed by rage, stops short of deadly violence when he sees terror on a woman’s face (13:05).

• The women aid the weakened Moses, showing the beginning of trust and acceptance.

4. Welcomed by Jethro and the Midianites

• Recovery and Belonging (17:15–21:23)
  Moses awakens cared for in the tent of Jethro, the high priest of Midian. Jethro’s gentle humor and hospitality put Moses at ease. Their dialogue is full of wisdom on identity and self-discovery.
  • Core wisdom from Jethro:

    "If you don't know where you came from, and you don't know where you're going, then I suppose you're right where you need to be." —Jethro (18:52)

  • On reflecting one's worth:

    "My worth as a father is reflected in the eyes of affection my lovely daughters give me. My abilities as a leader are reflected in the full bellies and teamwork of my people. Do you see? They are my reflection. I am theirs." —Jethro (21:54)

5. Connection and New Identity

• Camp Life and Acceptance (21:30–24:53)
  Moses is encouraged to see himself through his relationships with others. The warmth, community, and harmony of Midian contrast with the cold grandeur of Egypt, and slowly, Moses begins to hope for belonging:
  • "For the first time, he felt the stirrings of something he had long thought lost. Hope." —Narrator (22:42)

6. Night by the Fire: Zipporah and Moses

• Romance, Playfulness, and Philosophical Questions (24:53–29:27)
  • Zipporah thanks Moses for his bravery and, teasingly, raises the possibility of marriage at her father's suggestion. Their interaction is both flirtatious and sincere, revealing budding affection.
  • Charming exchange:

    Zipporah: "Do you not think I'm beautiful enough? Or is it that I'm so remarkable that I've merely taken your breath away?" (25:45) Moses: "No. I mean, yes. But no. I..." (25:52) Zipporah: "Enough stammering. We will speak of marriage later. Come dance with me." (25:56)

  • They talk about belonging, destiny, and the nature of God.
  • Zipporah: "One does not simply become a prince by accident. The gods must have chosen you." (27:41)
  • Moses, pondering his origins and the one God of his ancestors:

    "Their gods ceased to love me the moment I left Egypt. You know I'm Hebrew by birth. They only have one God. They call him the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God most High. I wonder what he's like." (28:07)

7. Settling in Midian: A New Life and Lingering Questions

• Marriage, Parenthood, and Unresolved Past (29:27–31:50)
  • Moses marries Zipporah, adapts to the shepherd’s life, and names his son Gershom, symbolizing his status as a sojourner.
  • "I will name you Gershom, for even though I live here, I'm still a sojourner, a stranger. I guess I've been a stranger all my life." —Moses (30:51)
• Despite newfound peace, Moses continues to wrestle with doubt, memories of Egypt, and prayers for guidance from the God of his ancestors.

---

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Moses' existential crisis:

  "What have I done? Who am I?" —Moses (02:13)

• Jethro’s wisdom on identity:

  "Believe every man can choose who they belong to. Who we're born as and who we become can be two entirely different people." —Jethro (20:56)

• On reflection and selfhood:

  "The way I treat them reflects back in the way they treat me... My worth as a father is reflected in the eyes of affection my lovely daughters give me. My abilities as a leader are reflected in the full bellies and teamwork of my people. Do you see? They are my reflection. I am theirs." —Jethro (21:54)

• Zipporah’s playful yet moving line:

  "Do you not think I'm beautiful enough? Or is it that I'm so remarkable that I've merely taken your breath away?" —Zipporah (25:45)

• Moses on being a wanderer:

  "I guess I've been a stranger all my life." —Moses (30:51)

---

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Moses flees Egypt | Moses kills overseer, becomes fugitive | 00:38–02:29 | | Moses lost in the desert | Hallucinations, desperation, finds the well | 04:55–10:21 | | Rescues women at the well | Moses defends Zipporah and sisters | 10:28–14:51 | | Recovers in Jethro’s tent | Jethro welcomes, guides Moses | 17:15–21:23 | | Night by the fire with Zipporah | Flirting, dancing, deep conversation | 24:53–29:27 | | Moses settles, reflects, prays | Marriage, fatherhood, and enduring doubt | 29:27–31:50 |

---

Tone and Style

The episode features dramatic narration punctuated by rich dialogue, moving seamlessly between intense inner struggle, moments of tenderness, and philosophical reflection. The tone is evocative, reverent, but leavened with warmth and occasional humor—particularly in exchanges between Moses, Zipporah, and Jethro.

---

Takeaways

• Identity is not just inherited—it is discovered through community, reflection, and struggle.
• Moments of greatest despair can become turning points for finding new purpose.
• The search for belonging is a universal journey, embodied by Moses as a stranger in both Egypt and Midian.
• God’s presence and calling can feel silent, but meaning develops slowly through humility, love, and hope.

---

This dramatization of Moses’ exile in Midian breathes life into an ancient narrative, inviting listeners to reflect on their own journeys of loss, discovery, and renewal.

Transcript

[Narrator]

This is an I Heart podcast.

Guaranteed.

[Tim Tebow]

Human life hits us all hard. Sometimes we get knocked down. And let's be real, sometimes it feels easier to stay there. But guys, God has called us to so much more. To live on purpose, to be conquerors. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful later on. However, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Listen to the Daily Pursuit with Tim Tebow on iheartradio.app App podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator]

Previously on the Chosen People.

[Zipporah]

His name shall be Moses, because I drew him out of the water.

[Narrator]

While Ramses embodied the glory of Ra, Moses remained a figure suspended between two worlds. He was neither fully Egyptian nor entirely Hebrew. Neither slave nor free. He was Moses, the stray Hebrew pup raised in the heart of Pharaoh's court.

[Jethro]

That was your Hebrew showing. That's why they need the whip. They're animals in need of a master. Remember that. You're not one of them, Moses. You're in the household of Pharaoh. Act like it.

[Narrator]

Yes, Ramses.

Moses stopped at the edge of the work site, his gaze lingering on a young man no older than himself, struggling to lift a stone that was too heavy for him. The overseer's whip lashed out, striking the man across the back, and he staggered, falling to his knees. The man screamed in pain.

[Jethro]

Hebrew dog, get up and lift.

[Narrator]

That's enough. Leave him alone.

[Jethro]

These dogs need to know who their masters are.

[Narrator]

I said enough. They struggled, the commander's hands clawing at Moses. But the prince pinned him down, his hands closing around the man's throat. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the struggle ended. The overseer's body went limp, his eyes glassy and still.

What have I done?

Who am I? Moses ran, his feet barely touching the ground as he tore through the crowded marketplace.

I had to get out of here.

Moses wandered the desert, his thoughts a whirlwind of guilt and fear. He was no longer a prince, nor was he a slave. He was an exile, a fugitive with no home and no kin. In the vast emptiness of the wilderness, Moses was utterly, desperately alone.

[Demi Leigh Thibault]

Do you need a reset of the mind and soul? Let go of the day's troubles and embrace Christ's peace by listening to Unwind with me, Demi Leigh Thibault. Unwind is your nightly destination for building mindful habits and finding rest. Partnered with licensed Christian therapists, Unwind offers an effective way to work on your mental health. Grow closer to God and find peace right before bed. God's word promises us that when we make efforts to renew our minds transformation will follow true abiding and life giving transformation. Experience the transformation that comes from renewing your mind in God's word. Join me as we take steps toward deeper faith together. Listen to Unwind with Demi Le Tebow on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Tim Tebow]

Life hits us all hard. Sometimes we get knocked down and let's be real. Sometimes it feels easier to stay there. But guys, God has called us to so much to live on purpose, to be conquerors. I'm Tim Tebow and I'd love for you to join me on pray.com for daily devotionals that remind us of God's promises and the hope that is an anchor for our souls. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful later on. However, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. But let me tell you, it's worth it. It builds character, produces fruit, and makes us more like Jesus. Jesus didn't live passively, he lived on a rescue mission. As followers of Christ, we're called to do the same, keeping perspective of what God has called us to. Listen to the Daily Pursuit with Tim Tebow on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator]

Moses felt his knees buckle beneath him, the last remnants of his strength draining away as he collaps onto the unforgiving desert sand. The sun blazed overhead, a cruel eye in the empty sky. The sand stretched endlessly before him, barren and pitiless, a wasteland that mirrored the emptiness he felt within. For two days he had wandered lost and alone, without food or water. His lips were cracked, his skin scorched, and his mind, a fragile thing, began to unravel. Shapes flickered at the edges of his vision, ghostly apparitions born of exhaustion and despair. He saw his grandfather Seti, hovering above the dunes like a mirage. The old man's eyes were as cold and unfeeling as the stone statues that lined the palace halls, and his voice was a whisper carried on the hot desert wind. What is a more merciful death, Moses? To drown in the Nile or melt under the desert sun?

[Jethro]

You should never have lived.

[Narrator]

Moses blinked, his throat too dry to form words, and the vision of Pharaoh vanished. In Seti's place stood Bicha, the woman who had plucked him from the river and raised him as her own. Her eyes were filled with a bitter disappointment that cut deeper than any blade.

[Zipporah]

I should have never saved you. You aren't a blessing, but a curse.

[Narrator]

Moses lip trembled as he stared at her, the weight of her words pressing down on him. But as quickly as she had appeared, Bitche was gone, her image swept away by the desert wind. In her place was another figure, a woman with soft eyes and a tender voice, familiar yet distant, like the faded memory of a dream. Rest, sweet child. You need your strength. You have a purpose. There's a reason God Most High spared.

[Zipporah]

You from the Nile.

[Narrator]

Moses tried to speak, but his tongue clung stubbornly to the roof of his mouth, dry as the sands beneath him. The woman's face blurred and faded, carried away like grains of sand in the wind. Moses was left alone once more, his vision darkening as he closed his eyes, surrendering to the creeping shadows and the scorching heat. The storm loomed on the horizon, a swirling wall of sand that would bury him in a hot, unmarked grave. Darkness swallowed him whole. Moses awoke to the chill of night, the oppressive heat replaced by a biting cold that gnawed at his bones. Sand clung to his back, falling away as he pushed himself upright. Above him, the night sky stretched endlessly, a tapestry of stars so bright and clear it seemed to touch the world's edge. Moses stared up at the heavens, the weight of his despair momentarily lifted by the quiet beauty of the stars. The desert was silent now, save for the faint whisper of the wind. Shivering, Moses forced himself to his feet, his body weak but driven by the stubborn spark of survival. He focused on the North Star and walked on. He wondered if there was anything beyond the desert, anything but death and emptiness. His march seemed endless until at last, the ground beneath him began to change. The earth grew firmer, dotted with clumps of dry brush and thorny plants that clawed at his ankles. Foliage meant water, and water meant life. Moses quickened his pace until he saw it. A well was half hidden in the distance. Its circular stone walls rose from the ground like an oasis in the desert. Moses staggered toward it, his vision narrowing to the single blessed sight. When he reached the well, he collapsed against its cool stone. Thrusting his head down into the water. He drank greedily, like a beast, gulping down mouthfuls of water until his throat burned with relief. Exhausted, Moses leaned back against the well's rough stone, his body finally finding rest as sleep overtook him. The early rays of dawn broke over the horizon, warm and golden. Moses stirred as the sunlight brushed his cheek, gentle as a lover's touch. For the first time in days, he felt something close to peace. The water had revived him, and his mind was clear, though his body still ached with fatigue.

Perhaps one of the herders could take me in and trade labor for food and shelter.

His thoughts were interrupted by a shriek in the distance. Moses turned. He scanned the rocky landscape. Behind a cluster of jagged stones, he saw a group of young women, seven in all, huddled together in fear. Three men circled them like wolves, their faces twisted with cruel amusement.

How many times do you people have to be told to stay away from our well? Seems like you haven't learned your lesson.

Maybe we should tame em.

[Zipporah]

We meant no trouble. We thought if we came early enough, it wouldn't bother you. Please let us leave in peace.

[Narrator]

If I let you leave without a few bruises, what's going to remind you to listen?

Moses jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. His eyes darted around, searching for anything he could use. A shepherd's staff was leaning against a low fence, simple, sturdy, and perfectly suited to his needs. He snatched it up, his knuckles turning white as he gripped it tightly and crept closer to the men. One of the men took a threatening step toward the girls.

I don't care who your father is. This well is for our herds.

[Jethro]

Maybe we'll take one of you as payment for all the water you stolen from us.

[Narrator]

But before the men moved, Moses stepped out from behind the rocks, his voice cutting through the morning air like the crack of a whip. Get out of here. He swung the staff with all his might, striking the nearest man squarely on the head. The blow sent the shepherd sprawling, his body crumpling into the dust. The other two turned and lunged at Moses. The first man swung wildly, but Moses, guided by the instincts drilled into him by Sabate's training, dodged the clumsy strike. He planted his feet and jabbed the staff down, hooking one of the men's legs out from under him. The shepherd fell, cursing as he hit the ground. The third man drew a blade, slashing at Moses with quick, desperate strikes. Moses stepped back, narrowly avoiding the lethal edge, then pivoted and brought the staff crashing into the man's ribs. The shepherd doubled over, his knife clattering to the ground. Moses pounced, pinning the man beneath him, his staff pressed hard against the shepherd's throat.

How does it feel?

Moses snarled, his voice low and dangerous.

How does it feel to be helpless?

The man's eyes bulged, his breath coming in shallow gasps. Moses vision narrowed, the world reduced to the ragged breathing of the man beneath him and the furious beat of his own. The rage threatened to consume him, but then he caught sight of one of the women, her face pale with terror. Her eyes cut through the red haze in Moses mind, pulling him back from the brink. With a shuddering breath, he released his grip. The shepherd scrambled away, coughing and clutching at his bruised throat. The three men fled. Moses watched them go, his chest heaving as the adrenaline began to fade. He was left alone, slumped in the dirt, his head pounding from the exertion. The girls came over to him and helped him up. The one Moses perceived to be the oldest attended to him, dabbing his forehead with a wet cloth and bringing him some water. Moses head tilted back and forth. The sides of his eyes were becoming dark.

[Zipporah]

Hey, look at me. Are you okay?

[Narrator]

I. I'm.

Moses fell forward into her arms. He blushed, then leaned back to regain control.

I'm fine.

He managed to say the words, though he knew it was a lie. The world tilted around him and he swayed.

[Zipporah]

You're not fine. Zipper. Fetch. Father.

[Narrator]

No.

Don'T.

Don't trouble yourself.

Here.

Let me get some water for your flocks.

Moses took some water and poured it into the trough the sheep came to graze. Moses patted them on the head, then fell to the ground. Moses tried to rise, but his legs betrayed him. The throbbing in his head intensified and the world went black again.

[Tim Tebow]

Life hits us all hard sometimes we get knocked down and let's be real. Sometimes it feels easier to stay there. But guys, God has called us to so much more. To live on purpose, to be conquerors. I'm Tim Tebow and I'd love for you to join me on pray.com for daily devotionals that remind us of God's promises and the hope that is an anchor for our souls. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful later on. However, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. But let me tell you, it's worth it. It builds character, produces fruit, and makes us more like Jesus. Jesus didn't live passively. He lived on a rescue mission. As followers of Christ, we're called to do the same, keeping perspective of what God has called us to Listen to the Daily Pursuit with Tim Tebow on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Demi Leigh Thibault]

Do you need a reset of the mind and soul? Let go of the day's troubles and embrace Christ's peace by listening to Unwind with me, Demi Leigh Thibault Unwind is your nightly destination for building mindful habits and finding rest. Partnered with licensed Christian therapists, Unwind offers an effective way to work on your mental health, grow closer to God, and find peace right before bed. God's Word promises us that when we make efforts to renew Our minds transformation will follow True, abiding and life giving transformation. Experience the transformation that comes from renewing your mind in God's word. Join me as we take steps toward deeper faith together. Listen to Unwind with Demi Le tebow on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator]

Moses awoke to the sound of softly clinking beads swaying in the breeze. He blinked, his senses returning slowly as he took in his surroundings. He was inside a tent, lying on blankets of wool and fur. The air was fragrant with the scent of burnt sage and herbal tea. Beside him, a pitcher of water and a small plate of cured meat lay waiting. Moses drank deeply, the cool water easing the parched ache in his throat. He ate slowly, savoring every bite. As he looked down, he realized he was no longer wearing his tattered Egyptian tunic. Instead, he was clothed in a beige tunic of simple wool with a sheepskin vest tied snugly across his chest. He was pulling himself up when the tent flap was thrown open and a large man burst in. Moses flinched instinctively, bracing himself, but the man's wide smile and booming laughter quickly put him at ease.

[Jethro]

Ah, you're awake. Praise the gods. We feared the worst at first. The blisters on your feet tell a tale of woe, my friend. Where have you come from?

[Narrator]

Uh, well, that's a complicated question for me to answer.

[Jethro]

Mmm, yes. And perhaps the better question is where are you going?

[Narrator]

I'm not certain.

[Jethro]

Well, if you don't know where you came from, and you don't know where you're going, then I suppose you're right where you need to be. Here.

[Narrator]

And where is here exactly?

[Jethro]

Why the land of mountains, fields and mystery. Welcome, my friend, to Midian. It is not a place as much as it is a people.

[Narrator]

Moses winced as he got to his feet, his body still weak. But the man caught him in a powerful embrace, wrapping him in a bear like hug and kissing his forehead in a gesture of unexpected tenderness.

[Jethro]

I am Jethro, High Priest of Midian and the father of the lovely young ladies. You say I am in your debt? My friend, as a Midianite, I always pay my debts tenfold. Come with me.

[Narrator]

Jethro led Moses out of the tent and together they strolled through the camp. It was a simple place, filled with the bustle of daily life. Children ran between tents, laughing and playing games. Women sat in small circles, weaving baskets and sharing quiet conversation, while men hauled in sacks of wool from the morning's shearing. Moses found himself smiling at the simple harmony of it all a far cry from the cold grandeur of Thebes.

[Jethro]

We are a nomadic people, hopping from pasture to pasture with our flocks. We take what we need from the land, sink it, and then move on to another plot. It's not what you're probably accustomed to being from Egypt, but I'm sure you'll find it to be a satisfying life.

[Narrator]

How did you know I was from Egypt?

[Jethro]

I am a nomad, not a hermit. We've had the displeasure of meeting Pharaoh's men before. But by the looks of your carved feet and shameful gaze, I take it you no longer belong to the people of the Nile.

[Narrator]

I don't know who I belong to.

[Jethro]

Believe every man can choose who they belong to. Who we're born as and who we become can be two entirely different people.

[Narrator]

I don't know who I was born as, so how will I know if who I become is any different?

[Jethro]

Ah, so you are a stranger to yourself, I see. I find the greatest way to understand who you are is by looking at your reflection.

[Narrator]

Like in a mirror.

[Jethro]

No, not in glass. In the faces of those around you. Look.

[Narrator]

Moses followed Jethro's gaze, observing the camp with new eyes. He saw joy in the way the children played, trust in the way women worked side by side, and camaraderie in the men's shared labor. There was a quiet, unspoken bond that connected them all. An understanding that transcended words.

[Jethro]

I can see myself in all of them. The way I treat them reflects back in the way they treat me. My worth as a father is reflected in the eyes of affection my lovely daughters give me. My abilities as a leader are reflected in the full bellies and teamwork of my people. Do you see? They are my reflection. I am theirs.

[Narrator]

I see. Moses thought back to the Egyptian he had killed and the fear on the faces of the Hebrews who had witnessed his outburst. He saw his own anger and confusion mirrored in their eyes.

[Jethro]

What is your name, my friend?

[Narrator]

I am Moses.

[Jethro]

You are welcome to remain here with us, Moses. Perhaps we can show you who you are.

[Narrator]

Moses looked out over the camp, watching as life went on around him. For the first time, he felt the stirrings of something he had long thought lost. Hope. He was not yet certain of who he was or where he was going. But for the first time in a long while, he felt he was on the path to finding out. That night, Moses sat alone by the fire. Flames danced in the darkness, crackling and hissing like serpents, their light casting long, flickering shadows across the encampment. The Medianites gathered in clusters, wrapped in the warmth of companionship, their faces glowing in the firelight. Children, wide eyed with wonder, listened to Jethro spin tales of old, of gods and giants, of lost kingdoms and wandering tribes. The men and women played instruments of bone and wood, their music mingling with the night air. Moses sat apart from the others, peeling the skin from an almond with the tip of his dagger. His eyes were distant, fixed on the flames, but seeing something far beyond them. The desert night was alive with the music of the Medianites, yet Moses felt like a ghost haunting the edges of their world. He was a stranger here among these simple, kind hearted people, still grappling with who he was and what he had left behind. Then she appeared beside him, the woman he had saved. Her hair was tightly braided back with beads that caught the firelight as they hung from her neck to her chest. She was a vision of grace and strength, different from the highborn Egyptian women he had grown up around, yet just as striking. She carried herself with a confidence that spoke of a life spent under the open sky, and her hazel eyes met his with a steady, knowing gaze.

[Zipporah]

Thank you for helping me and my sisters. It was very brave of you.

[Narrator]

Brave or stupid, they are often one in the same.

They shared a smile. The firelight danced in her eyes, and for a moment Moses felt his heart skip a beat. She was more than just her looks. There was a sharpness in her gaze.

I'm Moses.

[Zipporah]

I'm Zipporah, the daughter of the high priest of Midian.

[Narrator]

Yes, I've met your father. He's an interesting man.

[Zipporah]

He thinks we should get married as a reward for your chivalry.

[Narrator]

Zipporah said the words suddenly, her expression teasing yet not entirely insincere. What?

We just met.

[Zipporah]

I why so flustered, Moses?

[Narrator]

She leaned in closer, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

[Zipporah]

Do you not think I'm beautiful enough? Or is it that I'm so remarkable that I've merely taken your breath away?

[Narrator]

No. I mean, yes. But no. I.

[Zipporah]

Enough stammering. We will speak of marriage later. Come dance with me.

[Narrator]

She took his hand and led him toward the fire, her grip firm and unyielding. The tambourines shook, the drums thumped like a heartbeat, and Moses found himself drawn into the rhythm of the Medianites. Zipporah moved with an easy grace, her steps fluid and confident. The firelight illuminated her dark, smooth skin. Moses, though clumsy at first, did his best to keep up. She laughed at his missteps, and he found himself smiling despite his awkwardness. Caught up in her spirit. As the night wore on, the music seemed to seep into his bones. And Moses began to find his footing. The two of them danced under the stars until the music faded. And all that remained was the soft crackle of the embers. And the distant song of crickets. Ah. Oh.

Thank you for tonight, Zipporah. Oh, it's been a while since I've laughed so much.

[Zipporah]

My father says laughter and music existed before language. He says the first man sang when he saw the first woman. And that's when words were first formed.

[Narrator]

It seems I have much to learn from your father. I have much to learn about laughter and music. Everything, really.

[Zipporah]

Where were you before this, Moses? Where have you come from?

[Narrator]

I was a prince of Egypt. But not by birth. More by chance than anything.

[Zipporah]

There is no chance. One does not simply become a prince by accident. The gods must have chosen you.

[Narrator]

Well, if they chose me then they've certainly rejected me now.

[Zipporah]

Perhaps the gods that chose you to be a prince also brought you here.

[Narrator]

To what end? And which gods? The Midianite gods or the Egyptian ones? There are too many to count.

[Zipporah]

Aren't you Egyptian? Why not those gods?

[Narrator]

No, no, no. Those gods ceased to love me the moment I left Egypt. You know I'm Hebrew by birth. They only have one God. They call him the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God most High. I wonder what he's like.

A moment of silence settled between them as they both gazed up at the night sky. The stars above Median were clearer and more numerous than any Moses had seen before. In Thebes. The torchlight and smoke had always veiled the heavens. Here, under the wide desert sky, he felt a strange sense of peace. They bid each other good night, and Zipporah made her way to her tent. But Moses remained under the stars, his gaze searching for something beyond their light. He felt a deep, unnamable longing. A yearning for something he could not quite define. His thoughts turned to his people. The Hebrews still enslaved, their lives crushed beneath the weight of Pharaoh's heel. Ramses would be no more merciful than his father. Moses knew that well enough. The question gnawed at him like a festering wound. Was it his responsibility to do something? Fear tightened its grip on Moses heart. Not just the fear of returning to Egypt and facing his past, but the fear of the burden that awaited him if he went back. If he chose to face what he had left behind. He knew he could not remain silent. He would have to act. But how? He was a fugitive, a murderer. What power did he have? Time flowed Differently in Median. Like a slow moving river, unconcerned with the haste of the world beyond, days slipped into weeks and weeks into months, each one folding gently into the next. As Jethro had foreseen, Moses married Zipporah. They were wed under the stars beside the flames, just as they had danced that first night. There was a simplicity to it, a purity that felt truer than all the grand ceremonies of Thebes. Their love bore fruit, and soon Zipporah gave birth to a son. Moses lifted the boy high into the air, the stars watching as witnesses, and.

Declared, I will name you Gershom, for even though I live here, I'm still a sojourner, a stranger. I guess. I guess I've been a stranger all my life.

Moses began to peel back the layers of his identity like the skin of an almond. But he had yet to find his core. In the desert, he found refuge and peace, a sense of belonging that had eluded him for so long. Jethro made him a shepherd, and Zipporah taught him the ways of the sheep. Together they wandered across valleys and canyons in search of new pastures. They spoke for hours under the open sky about life, love and leadership, about gods and men. For decades, Moses lived in the rhythm of media, singing songs, herding sheep, feeling the earth beneath his feet, the sky above his head. He found solace in the simplicity of the shepherd's life. But the past never truly left him. In the stillness of the night, as he lay among his flock, gazing up at the endless expanse of stars, his thoughts would drift back to Egypt, to the Hebrews, his kin still bound in chains. He wondered if he had made a mistake by leaving, if perhaps he had turned away from a calling he did not yet understand. The doubt gnawed at him, and in the silence beneath the starlit sky, he would pray not to the gods of Egypt, nor the gods of Median, but to the God of his forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He would ask for a sign, for guidance, for a purpose. And as always, the desert wind would answer with nothing but silence. This prey.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Cattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellavager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu 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.

[Tim Tebow]

Life hits us all hard. Sometimes we get knocked down. And let's be real, sometimes it feels easier to stay there. But guys, God has called us to so much more to live on purpose, to be conquerors. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful later on. However, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Listen to the Daily Pursuit with Tim Tebow on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Demi Leigh Thibault]

Our God is the same yesterday and today.

[Zipporah]

This new year, reset your mind and.

[Demi Leigh Thibault]

Soul with the Unwind with Demi Lee Tebow Podcast.

[Zipporah]

A space for building mindful habits, finding rest, and embracing Christ's peace.

[Demi Leigh Thibault]

He reminds us that he has never left us.

[Zipporah]

When we make the effort to renew our minds, transformation will follow one calm moment at a time.

[Demi Leigh Thibault]

Open your free iHeartRadio app search unwind.

[Zipporah]

With Demi Lee Tebow and listen now.

[Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.