Pharoah's Hardened Heart

Summary

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The Chosen People – "Pharaoh's Hardened Heart"

Host: Pray.com
Date: January 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of “The Chosen People” plunges listeners into the dramatic climax of the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh Ramses in Egypt. Through immersive narration and authentic dialogue, the episode explores the spiritual and emotional turmoil surrounding the plagues, the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, and the impending final judgment. The focus is on pride, suffering, faith, and divine sovereignty, as displayed in the events leading to the liberation of the Israelites.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Escalation of Plagues and Pharaoh’s Defiance

• Supernatural Descent of the Plagues:
  The episode opens with striking depictions of the plagues: the Nile turning to blood, infestations of frogs and gnats, swarms of flies, livestock deaths, hail, locusts, and darkness ([00:27]–[01:57]).
• Pharaoh’s Stubbornness:
  Despite escalating suffering, Pharaoh’s pride remains unyielding. He responds defiantly at each stage—“He will not break me.” ([00:52]), and later, “Come and strike me down if you dare.” ([01:41]).
• Spiritual Conflict:
  Moses states, “The Lord isn’t just at war with Pharaoh. He’s going to battle against the gods of Egypt…striking down the gods of Egypt one by one” ([02:07]–[02:15]), reframing the plagues as a cosmic contest, not just a political standoff.

The Human and Emotional Cost

• Egypt’s Suffering:
  Listeners are offered vivid scenes of destruction—animals dying, land blighted, darkness enveloping the nation. The once-glorious kingdom is now described as “broken, splintered by the weight of the plagues,” with “the Nile, the river of life…bleeding out” ([03:22]–[04:00]).
• Moses’ Grief:
  Moses is portrayed as sorrowful, carrying compassion for Egypt and remorse for the fate that awaits, even as he stands against Pharaoh ([07:18], [10:27]).

The Final Confrontation

• A Meeting Marked by Grief and Fury:
  Moses enters Pharaoh’s throne room alone, finding him diminished but not broken ([05:16]–[07:18]). The dialogue grows tense and personal, drawing on their former bond and bitter betrayal.

• Pride Versus Humility:
  Moses confronts Pharaoh:

  "Your pride has swallowed up Egypt in a pit of despair. Can't you see that this is all you're doing?" – Moses ([09:26])

  Pharaoh retorts:

  "I will not be lectured by a traitor and a murderer. You abandoned your people to be the chief of slaves." – Pharaoh ([09:34])

• Divine Authority:
  The narrative pivots to the power of Moses’ God, as Moses proclaims,

  "He has a name." ([10:08])
  "You will know his name, Ramses, for it will be on your lips when your kingdom crumbles to dust." – Moses ([10:20])

Prophecy of the Final Plague

• Solemn Decree:
  Moses foretells the devastating tenth plague—the death of Egypt’s firstborns:

  "At midnight, the Lord will descend upon Egypt. Every firstborn in the land, from your own son upon this throne to the lowliest slave in the mill, will die..." – Moses ([11:25])

• Unyielding Judgment:
  Pharaoh is left speechless and terrified, Moses’ gravitas underscored as he leaves:

  "You will know, Ramses. You will know who the Lord’s chosen people are." – Moses ([11:58])

Aftermath and Divine Certainty

• Egypt’s Impending Grief:
  The episode closes with Moses weighed down by sorrow, knowing Egypt’s suffering has only deepened ([12:11]–[13:04]).
• Divine Reassurance:

  "Pharaoh will not listen to you, but I will prevail over him, and my chosen people shall walk." – Voice of the Lord ([12:54])

• The Inevitability of Deliverance:
  Moses acknowledges the terrible inevitability of the Lord’s judgment and the ultimate liberation of the Israelites ([13:04]–[13:19]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He will not break me.”
  – Pharaoh ([00:52])
• “The Lord isn’t just at war with Pharaoh. He’s going to battle against the gods of Egypt.”
  – Moses ([02:07])
• “Your pride has swallowed up Egypt in a pit of despair. Can’t you see that this is all you’re doing?”
  – Moses ([09:26])
• “I will have monuments built to my glory long after your unnamed God is forgotten.”
  – Pharaoh ([09:59])
• “He has a name…You will know his name, Ramses, for it will be on your lips when your kingdom crumbles to dust.”
  – Moses ([10:08]–[10:20])
• “At midnight, the Lord will descend upon Egypt...There shall be a cry throughout the land of Egypt, a cry unlike any heard before, nor ever will be again.”
  – Moses ([11:25])
• “Pharaoh will not listen to you, but I will prevail over him, and my chosen people shall walk.”
  – Voice of the Lord ([12:54])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Depictions of Plagues (00:27–01:57)
• Moses: Spiritual Battle Against Egypt’s Gods (02:07)
• Desolation of Egypt (03:22–04:00)
• Moses Faces Pharaoh Alone (05:16–07:18)
• Heated Confrontation (07:18–10:20)
• Prophecy of the Tenth Plague (11:11–12:11)
• Aftermath and Divine Promise (12:54–13:19)

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Conclusion

“Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart” blends powerful storytelling with theological insight, immersing listeners in the gravity of Moses’ final warning and Pharaoh’s tragic pride. The episode highlights timeless themes of stubbornness in the face of suffering, the battle between pride and submission, and the certainty of divine intervention. The rich dialogue and evocative narration offer a poignant meditation on what it means to wrestle with faith in the darkest moments of life.

Transcript

[Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Previously on the Chosen People.

[Voice of the Lord]

When you return to Egypt, see that you show Pharaoh every wonder I have built. Yet still your heart, Moses. For Pharaoh's heart I have turned to iron. He will not let my people go.

[Narrator]

The onlookers gasped as the clear blue green currents of the Nile began to darken. The color shifted, deepened, turning from blue to a murky red.

[Moses]

Relent, Ramses.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

Relent.

[Narrator]

Suddenly the frogs came. Hundreds, then thousands, then tens of thousands.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

He will not break me.

[Narrator]

In one fell swoop, he struck the earth. The dust rose in great clouds, twisting and writhing in the air, before transforming into a swarm of gnats who crush.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

Him beneath the heel of Egypt. He is nothing but a dog, an insect crawling at my feet.

[Narrator]

The following day, the flies came.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

My answer remains the same.

[Narrator]

The camels, donkeys and cattles all fell where they stood, their bodies becoming part of blighted landscape.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

Come at me.

[Narrator]

Fire and ice cascaded from the sky in an onslaught of destruction. Immense power and unbridled destruction came upon Egypt.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

Come and strike me down if you dare.

[Narrator]

Locusts. Millions upon millions of them, descending upon Egypt like a plague from the very pits of hell.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

I will strike you down like the pack of animals you are.

[Narrator]

Three days of darkness fell upon Egypt. Th and suffocating, as if the very light of the world had been extinguished.

[Moses]

The Lord isn't just at war with Pharaoh. He's going to battle against the gods of Egypt.

[Narrator]

What do you mean?

[Moses]

The Lord is striking down the gods of Egypt one by one.

[Voice of the Lord]

Then what will the Lord do when.

[Narrator]

Only one God is left standing? Which God are you talking about? Pharaoh? Moses. Steps were leaden, each footfall a deliberate echo upon the cracked stone of the palace. The once great halls of Pharaoh's stronghold stood like a mausoleum, haunted by the ghosts of its past glory. He could still remember the splendor of it. The way the walls had shimmered with gold and the air had buzzed with the power of the gods of Egypt. But now that power had turned sour. The once lustrous tapestries torn and soiled. The statues of the gods veiled in shadow. Servants scurried like frightened mice, trying in vain to restore the splendor, their eyes hollow with fear. The Nile, once the river of life and the heart of Egypt, was bleeding out. Pharaoh's palace, like the kingdom itself, was broken, splintered by the weight of the plagues that had ravaged the land. Yet the greatest devastation still loomed like a storm on the horizon, unseen but inevitable. Moses stopped before the grand entrance his heart heavy with grief, the Lord's words still echoed in his mind, as relentless as the wind whipping across the desert.

[Voice of the Lord]

One more plague will come upon Pharaoh and all of Egypt. After my judgment, he will let you go from this place. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely into the wilderness.

[Narrator]

He had known this moment was coming, had felt it in the marrow of his bones. With each plague that passed, each sign ignored, Egypt was crumbling, and with it, the will of its king. Yet even now, Pharaoh clung to his pride as a drowning man would a stone. Moses sighed and turned to Aaron, who stood behind him. His brother's face pale beneath the weight of what was to come.

[Moses]

Wait here, Aaron. I must go in alone.

[Narrator]

Moses, wait. Is that wise? Pharaoh's wrath is fierce and you know his heart. Let me go with you.

[Moses]

No, no, no, brother. I must face him alone. This is the last time you're doing.

[Narrator]

That thing again with your voice. Please let me come with you. Aaron hesitated, but in the end, he nodded. He knew, as Moses did, that the time for reasoning had passed. What was coming could not be bargained with nor avoided. The Lord's judgment would descend upon Egypt like a sword drawn from the heavens. Moses turned, drawing in a deep breath, and entered the throne room. The hall was empty, save for Pharaoh himself. The air was thick with silence and the scent of old incense still lingered, bitter and cold. The grand columns that once stood tall, like the gods of Egypt, now seemed smaller, diminished. Pharaoh sat upon his throne, but the man who occupied it was not the king Moses had once known. Ramses Pharaoh, the so called living God of Egypt, was now but a shadow of his former self. His face, once proud and unyielding, was gaunt, the dark smudges beneath his eyes betraying sleepless nights and gnawing dread. His golden collar, the symbol of his divine kingship, hung loose upon his shoulders, as if it too had grown weary of bearing his burden. He was slumped, but there was still that flicker of defiance in his eyes, a flame that refused to die, even as the fire around him had consumed his kingdom. Moses approached, his steps soft, though the weight of each one seemed to press upon his soul. He felt no triumph, no satisfaction, only sorrow. Sorrow for the man who had once been his brother. And sorrow for the people who would soon cry out in agony, Ramesses.

[Moses]

It'S over. It's time to let go. Your people, your. Your kingdom cannot endure any more of this. Even your own subjects have given favor to the children of Israel.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

Yes, my people have turned against me, haven't they? They give gold and jewelry to your slaves as though you are their savior. As though they believe your God can save them. They will all be punished for their betrayal.

[Narrator]

The Lord had instructed the children of Israel to seek favor from the Egyptians. Many of the citizens had been softened by the plagues and looked favorably upon the Hebrews. They gave them gifts of gold and jewelry as a peace offering. Although the plagues had softened their hearts, they had only hardened Pharaohs.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

My people have come to revere you, Moses. How satisfying it must be to finally have the approval of Egypt.

[Moses]

None of this satisfies me, Ramses. All I want is to leave with my people peacefully.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

Your people?

[Narrator]

Pharaoh's eyes flared and he rose from his throne, a sudden burst of fury animating him.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

We used to be your people.

[Narrator]

His voice boomed throughout the empty palace halls. Ramses stood before Moses with eyes of fury. His nostrils flared like that of a raging bull, ready to break everything in sight. Moses flinched, but his gaze never left Pharaoh's. He had grown weary of the king's fury, of the endless shouting, the blind pride that had brought so much suffering. Moses was tired of Ramses scare tactics and tantrums. He pointed his finger at Ramesses like one would to a petulant child.

[Moses]

Your pride has swallowed up Egypt in a pit of despair. Can't you see that this is all you're doing?

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

I will not be lectured by a traitor and a murderer. You abandoned your people to be the chief of slaves.

[Moses]

You think it is I who lectures you, Ramses? The Lord has spoken through me time and again and. And you have turned a deaf ear to his command. You know you cannot win this. The end is already written.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

The end? I will have monuments built to my glory long after your unnamed God is forgotten.

[Moses]

He has a name.

[Narrator]

His voice rang out like a sword striking stone, and the words echoed through the hall, carrying with them the weight of divine judgment.

[Moses]

You will know his name, Ramses, for it will be on your lips when your kingdom crumbles to dust.

[Narrator]

For a moment, the two men stood in silence, the air between them taut as a drawn bowstring. Moses trembled with fury and grief, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to strike Ramesses down, to end the madness here and now. But this was not his battle. It was the Lord's.

[Pharaoh (Ramses)]

Run then, Moses. Run as you always do. You're nothing but a coward. Your people will cower in fear before me. They will know that I am.

[Narrator]

Moses stopped in his tracks.

[Announcer]

He.

[Narrator]

His voice, when he spoke again, was low and deadly, like the distant roll of thunder.

[Moses]

Thus says the Lord.

[Narrator]

Pharaoh froze, the blood draining from his face.

[Moses]

At midnight, the Lord will descend upon Egypt. Every firstborn in the land, every firstborn from your own son upon this throne. For the lowliest slave in the mill will die. There shall be a cry throughout the land of Egypt, a cry unlike any heard before, nor ever will be again.

[Narrator]

Pharaoh's eyes were wide, but he said nothing. Moses voice softened, though his words cut deeper than any blade.

[Moses]

But not a dog shall growl against the people of Israel. You will know, Ramses. You will know who the Lord's chosen people are.

[Narrator]

With that, Moses turned and strode from the throne room, his steps heavy with the weight of what was to come. Pharaoh's curses followed him, but they were hollow, lost in the echoing halls of his broken kingdom. Outside, Aaron waited. The sky above had darkened and the air was thick with an unnatural stillness, as if the very heavens held their breath. Moses wiped the tears from his eyes. He had seen the end, and it was more terrible than even he had imagined. And then the voice of the Lord came again, quiet and unyielding.

[Voice of the Lord]

Pharaoh will not listen to you, but I will prevail over him, and my chosen people shall walk.

[Narrator]

Three Moses nodded, his heart heavy. The final blow was coming, and all of Egypt would weep.

[Announcer]

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, Steven 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.

[Narrator]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.