The Chosen People

Episode: “The Lord of the Plagues Part 2”

Host: Pray.com
Date: January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode immerses listeners in the Old Testament’s account of the escalating plagues visited upon Egypt, dramatizing the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh Ramses. The episode explores the psychological, spiritual, and personal ramifications of the plagues—framing them not only as acts of divine judgment, but as a direct challenge to Egypt’s gods and Pharaoh’s pride. Deep moral, theological, and relational questions are raised as Moses grapples with his past, Ramses’ stubbornness, and the Lord’s mysterious purposes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Progression of Plagues and Pharaoh's Defiance

• Recap of Plagues: Water to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness
• Pharaoh's Oscillation: Ramses vacillates between moments of apparent concession and hardened refusal, deepening Egypt’s suffering.
• Divine Distinction: The plagues strike Egypt, but spare Goshen (where the Hebrews live), emphasizing God’s control and purposeful differentiation.
  • “The God of Israel would not relent. The plagues were far from over. Egypt was rotting from the inside out.” (Narrator, 02:52)

2. Moses and Pharaoh: Reluctant Adversaries

• Their past as “brothers” is invoked, intensifying the personal tragedy as Moses pleads, and Pharaoh’s heart hardens.
  • “None of this gives me pleasure, Ramses. I… I did consider you like a brother once. Tomorrow, the Lord will bring more judgment.” (Moses, 06:11)
• Pharaoh clings to a belief in his invincibility, even as the kingdom crumbles.
  • “It is you who doesn’t understand, Moses. I have experienced defeat in battle before, but in the end, I always win.” (Pharaoh, 05:30)

3. The Plagues as a Battle of Gods

• Moses explains to Miriam that the plagues systematically undermine Egyptian deities—each event a confrontation with a specific god (e.g., Hapi, Heket, Geb, Khepri, Hathor, Nut, Ra).
  • “The Lord is striking down the gods of Egypt one by one.” (Moses, 09:26)
• Miriam presses Moses on divine motives, questioning why God doesn’t act more swiftly.
  • “It feels like the Lord is playing with Pharaoh. Why doesn’t he just strike him down and be done with it? Why prolong this suffering?” (Miriam, 09:05)

4. The Final Showdown Approaches

• With each sign, Pharaoh is isolated further—not only losing the faith of his people and priests, but standing as the last god-king to oppose Israel’s Lord.
  • “Then what will the Lord do when only one God is left standing?” (Aaron, 09:59)
  • “Pharaoh.” (Moses, 10:15)
• Boils, hail, and locusts devastate Egypt, while Moses warns and pleads for repentance, and Pharaoh’s pride grows more brittle.

5. Human Toll and Moral Tension

• Suffering is not glorified—Moses and his siblings wrestle with the pain inflicted on Egypt.
  • “Moses’ heart ached with sorrow. He had never wanted this. Pharaoh’s suffering brought him no joy, only a bitter sense of loss.” (Narrator, 13:46)
• Aaron and Miriam question how far Pharaoh will push, and if Israel’s fate hangs only on his pride or God’s plan.
  • “What if he decides to kill us all instead?” (Miriam, 08:05)
  • “If he kills us, he invites even more wrath upon himself and Egypt.” (Aaron, 08:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Nile Turns to Blood

“The onlookers gasped as the clear blue green currents of the Nile began to darken. The colour shifted, deepened, turning from blue to a murky red.”
— Narrator, 00:16

The Psychological Strain

“Pharaoh stood upon the balcony of his palace, his grip tight on the stone railing, knuckles white with rage… his heart twisted with fury, for he knew this was no accident.”
— Narrator, 03:08

Theological Stakes

“The Lord isn’t just at war with Pharaoh, Miriam. He’s going to battle against the gods of Egypt.”
— Moses, 09:16

The Hail and the Warning

“Tell your people to flee if you hold them dear.”
— Moses, 14:30

“How very noble of your God to give me a warning before he attacks my people.”
— Pharaoh, 15:11

The Locusts and Complete Ruin

“A dark mass, swirling and shifting, filled the heavens. Locusts. Millions upon millions of them, descending upon Egypt like a plague from the very pits.”
— Narrator, 21:26

The Darkness and Final God

“Three days of darkness fell upon Egypt… Ra, the God of the sun, was defeated. The people of Egypt were left in darkness, lost and terrified, and Pharaoh sat alone in the pitch black, simmering in his hatred, his pride refusing to bend.”
— Narrator, 23:09

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|------------------------| | 00:16 | Nile turns to blood | | 02:08 | Pharaoh denounces Moses| | 04:27 | Moses warns of livestock plague | | 06:11 | Moses’ bittersweet farewell to Pharaoh | | 09:05 | Sibling debate on God’s motives | | 09:26 | Theological “plague vs. gods” explanation | | 10:15 | Pharaoh as the last “god”| | 11:32 | Boils inflicted on Egyptians| | 14:30 | Moses warns of hail| | 15:57 | Pharaoh’s defiance during the storm| | 18:39 | Pharaoh’s first confession of sin | | 21:22 | The coming of locusts | | 23:09 | Darkness descends; Ra defeated|

Tone & Style

The episode is rich, cinematic, and deeply empathetic. The language is vivid and emotional, capturing the anguish in both oppressor and oppressed, and conveying the mounting cosmic drama. The narration and dialogues fuse reverence for the biblical story with psychological realism, intensifying the moral tension at the heart of Exodus.

Summary Takeaway

This episode masterfully dramatizes the Old Testament plagues as both a supernatural battle and a profoundly human confrontation. By focusing on the unraveling relationship between Moses and Pharaoh, as well as the direct challenge to Egyptian theology, the podcast invites listeners to wrestle with questions of justice, suffering, faith, and pride—reminding us that even in judgment, the biblical narrative is rich with ambiguity, emotion, and theological depth.