The Chosen People — “The Lord of the Plagues, Part 1”
Podcast Host: Pray.com
Episode Date: January 19, 2026
Episode Overview
In "The Lord of the Plagues, Part 1," The Chosen People podcast transports listeners into the unfolding biblical account of the ten plagues visited upon Egypt, focusing on the initial confrontations between Moses, Aaron, Pharaoh Ramses, and the Egyptian priests. Through rich dramatization and evocative narration, the episode explores the escalating struggle between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt, Pharaoh’s hardening heart, and the suffering of Egypt as it refuses to free the Hebrew people. This episode covers the transformation of the Nile, the plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies, and the shifting dynamics between Moses and Pharaoh, emphasizing themes of faith, resistance, and divine power.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Context & Recap (00:34–00:59)
- The episode opens with a recap: Moses and Aaron, empowered by God, demand that Pharaoh let the Israelites go to worship. Pharaoh's obstinate refusal sets the stage for the plagues.
2. The First Plague: The Nile Turns to Blood (00:53–02:10)
- Moses warns Ramses, “The God of the Hebrews will not relent.” (01:16)
- The Nile transforms from life-giving blue to a thick, clotted red, symbolizing the onset of judgment.
- “The river was becoming thick and clotted, a red soaked dark. It was nearly black, like the blood of a freshly slain bull left too long in the sun.” – Narrator (01:07)
- Pharaoh responds harshly, increasing the Hebrews’ oppression (02:10).
3. Lingering Effects & Anticipation of More Plagues (04:02–05:54)
- Seven days after the first plague, Moses, Miriam, and Aaron reflect on Egypt's growing despair.
- Moses receives a new message from God: “We are to return to Pharaoh’s courts with an ultimatum.” (05:55)
- “Many things will happen before Pharaoh bends. We must remain persistent.” – Moses (06:04)
4. The Second Plague: Frogs (06:16–12:35)
- Moses informs Aaron that frogs will be the next sign. Aaron reacts incredulously: “I’m going to stand before the most powerful man alive and threaten him with frogs.” (06:32)
- Moses and Aaron confront Ramses at the palace pools. Memories of childhood intermingle with present tension:
- “You always pretended to be the sea monster. And I, I would be the unsuspecting fisherman.” – Moses (08:36)
- Ramses mocks the warning of frogs, turning to his priest Nebamun, who sneers, “Frogs are a sign of blessing from the goddess Heket. They represent fertility, abundance from the Nile.” (10:00)
- Moses foretells that frogs will overrun every place in Egypt, becoming a curse, not a blessing (10:16).
- Aaron stretches out his staff, and a torrent of frogs pours forth, creating chaos.
- Nebamun halts Egyptians from killing frogs: “It is forbidden to kill frogs. Do you want to anger Heket and her husband, the great god Gnum?” (11:49)
- The frogs disrupt life, fill homes, and die in great numbers, “driving the people of Egypt to madness by the sound and the smell” (12:03).
5. Pharaoh’s Attempt to Counter & His Growing Desperation (12:55–16:17)
- Pharaoh, frustrated and disgusted, demands Nebamun act, but the magicians are powerless to reverse the plagues: “It seems to be a force outside of our control.” – Nebamun (13:36)
- Ramses’ irritation boils over: “Do not tell me that you have made more frogs appear... I am telling you to make it stop.” (13:20)
- Pharaoh finally relents in desperation: “Pray to your God to make these frogs disappear.” (16:17) Moses agrees and gives Pharaoh the “honor of setting the time” (16:45).
- “Tomorrow.” – Ramses (16:57)
- Moses prays; the frogs die—Egypt's streets are steeped in evidence of God’s might. Despite this, Pharaoh hardens his heart once more, reneges on his promise, and the enslaved Hebrews remain.
6. The Third Plague: Gnats (17:03–21:27)
- God instructs Moses to have Aaron strike the dust, which becomes gnats swarming over all Egypt.
- The gnats afflict “man and beast alike. The buzzing was incessant, filling the air with an endless drone” (17:24).
- Even the Egyptian magicians are helpless: “We have called upon Gethsemane, the God of the earth. But he does not answer... This is not the work of any magic known to our priests.” – Nebamun (19:30)
- The plague is a further dismantling of Pharaoh’s claim to divine power: “This God of Moses was stripping away the layers of his divinity, exposing him... as a man who could not command the dust of the earth or the creatures of the air.” – Narrator (19:50)
- Nebamun suggests Pharaoh offer “lip service” to Moses’ God, advising diplomatic deceit: “I suggest you best Moses and his God in a battle of wits, offer them lip service.” (21:27)
7. The Fourth Plague: Flies & Divine Distinction (21:40–25:57)
- Moses and Aaron warn Pharaoh of a new plague: flies, which will not touch the Hebrews in Goshen, signaling God’s discriminatory protection (22:38–23:02).
- The flies swarm Egypt, but leave Goshen unaffected, clearly marking God’s power to shield his people (23:24).
- Pharaoh, broken but still scheming, proposes a compromise: Hebrews may worship, but only within Egypt’s borders (24:56).
- Moses rejects the offer, emphasizing the spiritual significance of separation (25:03).
- Pharaoh gives in, asking Moses to pray for relief: “Very well. I will let you go into the wilderness. Now, pray for me at once. Pray for the flies to cease.” (25:22)
- Moses, wary: “How can I trust you won’t act deceitfully?” (25:35)
- As before, Pharaoh soon breaks his word after the plague is lifted, his heart hardened by pride (25:57).
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- On Divine Power:
- “The Lord was not finished with Pharaoh, nor with Egypt. His hand was still poised to strike again.” – Narrator (04:57)
- On Resistance and Perseverance:
- “Many things will happen before Pharaoh bends. We must remain persistent.” – Moses (06:04)
- On Pharaoh’s Defiance and Doubt:
- “Do you suggest I bend to that peasant God? He will not break me. I will crush him beneath the heel of Egypt. He is nothing but a dog, an insect crawling at my feet.” – Ramses (21:09)
- On the Suffering and Transformation of Egypt:
- “The God of Israel was a God who could protect his own. While the gods of Egypt were powerless to protect even their so-called God King.” – Narrator (23:24)
- On the Erosion of Pharaoh’s Authority:
- “This God of Moses was stripping away the layers of his divinity, exposing him... as a man who could not command the dust of the earth or the creatures of the air.” – Narrator (19:50)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:37 | Moses & Aaron confront Pharaoh for the first time | | 01:07 | The Nile turns to blood—first plague | | 04:02 | Aftermath and anticipation of more plagues | | 05:55 | God instructs the next ultimatum | | 06:27 | Announcement of the frog plague | | 08:05 | Moses & Ramses share memories at the palace pool | | 10:16 | Frogs as a “blessing,” Moses’ dire warning | | 11:49 | Egyptian priests’ religious dilemma (killing frogs) | | 12:55 | Pharaoh's desperation: "How do we control this?" | | 13:36 | Admission of powerlessness by Nebamun | | 16:17 | Ramses begs for relief from the frogs | | 17:03 | Gnats plague begins | | 19:30 | Priests admit the limits of their magic | | 21:27 | Nebamun’s political advice: deceit over submission | | 22:18 | Warning of the fly plague & distinction for Goshen | | 23:24 | Flies devastate Egypt, not the Hebrews | | 25:03 | Moses refuses partial concession | | 25:35 | Moses questions Pharaoh’s trustworthiness | | 25:57 | Pharaoh hardens his heart again |
Conclusion
Through vivid storytelling, nuanced dialogue, and historically-rooted dramatic tension, “The Lord of the Plagues, Part 1” brings the Exodus narrative alive for modern listeners. The early plagues serve as a canvas for exploring faith, pride, divine intervention, and the lengths to which oppressive power will go to maintain its grip. Listeners are left poised for the next round in the escalating battle between Moses’ unwavering faith and Pharaoh’s resolute defiance.