Whispers of Evil

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein
Episode: Whispers of Evil
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Yael Eckstein
Producer: Pray.com

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Overview

This episode of "The Chosen People" invites listeners into the intrigue, faith, and turmoil within the Persian Empire during the rise of Queen Esther—a story rooted in the Book of Esther from the Old Testament. Narrated with cinematic storytelling and insightful commentary by Yael Eckstein, the episode focuses on secret plots, the tension of hidden identity, and the ominous whisperings of antisemitic evil in King Xerxes’ court. Listener are led to contemplate the struggle between power and faith, the courage to stand for truth, and the resilience of the Jewish people amidst existential threat.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Arc

I. The Rise of Esther (00:00 – 03:32)

• Recap of the banishment of Queen Vashti and King Xerxes' search for a new queen.
• Esther, an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, is taken to the palace and conceals her Jewish identity at his urging.
  • Quote: "Esther kept her eyes downcast...and answered her king." (01:30)
• Esther is chosen as the new queen, a transformation from "peasant princess" to royalty.

II. Life in the Shadows (05:41 – 10:31)

• Mordecai, a judge at the city gate, anxiously watches over Esther from afar.
• The palace is depicted as a place of constant intrigue and power games; Esther must navigate hidden dangers.
  • Quote (Yael Eckstein): "The palace is full of spies, whispers, and watching eyes." (10:27)
• Mordecai overhears royal guards (Big Thana and Teresh) plotting to assassinate King Xerxes.
  • Quote: "A blade, or violet poison... the citizens of Susa will thank us." (08:36)

III. The Discovery of Treason (11:26 – 14:56)

• Mordecai sends secret word to Esther via Hettach, the king's eunuch.
• Esther musters courage and decides to trust Mordecai’s warning—a tension-filled moment showcasing faith and loyalty amidst danger.
  • Quote (Yael Eckstein): "He raised me to stand loyal and speak the truth." (14:52)
• Esther and Hettach take the news to the king discreetly. The plot is exposed and the traitors are executed.
• Mordecai’s deed is recorded, but he receives no recognition or reward.
  • Memorable Moment: The sense of being "remembered by parchment but forgotten by power." (End of 15:00 min mark)

IV. Haman’s Rise and Mordecai’s Defiance (16:00 – 20:05)

• After years, Haman, a ruthless and ambitious nobleman (descendant of Amalekites, traditional enemies of the Jews), is promoted to highest power under Xerxes.
• Haman expects worshipful bows, but Mordecai refuses, both as a Jew and as a matter of principle.
  • Quote (Mordecai): "I will not bow to that man." (19:41)
• Mordecai’s stance is noticed and rumors spread quickly to Haman.

V. The Whispers Become Evil Decrees (20:05 – 24:20)

• Haman investigates Mordecai and discovers his Jewish identity.
• Convinced that Mordecai's refusal is a threat, Haman persuades King Xerxes with lies about Jewish disloyalty.
  • Quote (Haman): "There’s a people...they do not follow your laws...They are dangerous, disloyal. Allow me to remove them for the good of the empire." (21:34)
• Xerxes hands Haman his signet ring, granting him authority to issue a decree.
• The resulting edict calls for the extermination of all Jews in the empire—men, women, and children—and the plundering of their goods.
  • Quote (Edict): "On the 13th day of the 12th month, all Jews...are to be destroyed." (23:32)
• News of the decree sends waves of panic, confusion, and grief throughout the empire, especially in Susa.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Esther’s transformation:
  “And so the orphan girl, the peasant princess, became Queen of Persia.” (01:32)
• On Mordecai’s anxiety for Esther:
  “He had taught her to listen, to observe. Now he could only pray it had been enough.” (05:41)
• On Mordecai’s moral stance:
  “I will not bow to that man.” (19:41, Mordecai)
• On Haman’s evil resolve:
  “No, this isn't about one man. It's about rooting out the disease before it spreads.” (20:19, Haman)
• On the existential threat:
  “Whispers of dread, whispers of evil...as if the earth itself tore its garments in grief beneath the weight of reckless hate.” (24:00)

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Insights & Themes

• Faith amidst Fear: The episode emphasizes Esther and Mordecai’s faith in God and one another, even as they face powerful enemies and imminent danger.
• Hidden Identity and Courage: Both Esther’s concealed heritage and Mordecai’s visible resistance highlight the complexity of identity and the courage required to act righteously when threatened.
• The Corruption of Power: King Xerxes’ court is a place where loyalty is fleeting, power shifts rapidly, and evil deeds can be sanctioned with little deliberation.
• The Perennial Struggle of the Jewish People: The episode contextualizes the antisemitic threat against the Jews in Persia as a recurrence of historical patterns of hatred and survival.

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:00–03:32 – Esther's selection as queen and her concealed identity.
• 05:41–10:31 – Mordecai discovers and reports the assassination plot.
• 11:26–14:56 – Esther and Hettach work to save the king and risk their futures.
• 16:00–20:05 – Haman is promoted; Mordecai refuses to bow.
• 20:05–24:20 – Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews; King’s decree is issued and read by Mordecai.

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Tone & Narrative Style

• The story is narrated in a cinematic, dramatic style, evoking the tension and scale of ancient Persia.
• Yael Eckstein’s commentary is warm, personal, and faith-based, offering both emotional encouragement and scriptural resonance.
• The language follows the dignified and poetic style of biblical retellings, yet the underlying emotions—fear, loyalty, resistance, anguish—are immediate and relatable.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of "The Chosen People" pulls listeners into an ancient world with striking modern relevance: How do we confront evil when it whispers in high places? Through Esther’s ascent, Mordecai’s vigilance, and Haman’s evil machinations, it reminds us of the power of faith, the value of courage, and the enduring struggle against hatred. Every moment is charged with suspense, but at its core the story remains one of hope, resilience, and the belief that we are “all chosen for something great” (Yael Eckstein, 02:49).

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Transcript

[Narrator]

Previously on the Chosen People. In the heart of the world's greatest empire, power was not whispered. It was shouted from palace rooftops and poured into ornate goblets. And King Xerxes was not a man of half measures.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

So it shall be. Queen Vashti shall be banished. We will find your new queen, one who will honor your commands. As you rule this empire, let beautiful young women be sought for the king and added to your harem. Let them be gathered from every province. And let the one who pleases you most be crowned queen. In Vashti's place in the heart of.

[Narrator]

Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire, lived a man named Mordecai. He had taken pains to make sure all the men he associated with at the city gate thought Esther was Persian, not Jewish, when he took her in as a child. When his uncle died, he forced her to adopt a Persian name in an attempt to conceal their heritage.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

Say your goodbye and bring her to.

[Narrator]

The palace within the hour.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

Tell me your name.

[Narrator]

Esther kept her eyes downcast or alluring as Hegai had called it, and answered her king.

[Yael Eckstein]

I am called Esther, my king.

[Narrator]

And so the orphan girl, the peasant princess, became Queen of Persia. This is an iHeart podcast.

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[Yael Eckstein]

Shalom, my friends. From here in the Holy Land of Israel, I'm Yael Eckstein with International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. And welcome to the chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love and the meaning of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. So take a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if you left us a review. I read every single one of them. And if you're interested in hearing more about the prophetic life saving work of the fellowship, you can visit ifcj.org let's begin.

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[Narrator]

The City Gate had always been a place of business and judgment, Mordecai's domain. He had memorized Persian lore, prided himself on applying it with wisdom and precision. This was his craft and once, his pride. But now the gate had become a place of restless waiting. The palace loomed close, yet Esther felt impossibly far. Locked behind thick stone walls and buried beneath silken garments and endless feasts, she was queen now, living behind veils and gates, exalted in name, yet silent in power. Mordecai's eyes flicked toward every courier and messenger leaving the palace, hoping for a glimpse of news, some sign that his counsel still echoed in her heart. Every day he fretted and worried over her living among the whisperers and schemers of King King Xerxes court, the man who feasted on intrigue and gorged on plots to satiate their ambition. But he had taught her to listen, to observe. Now he could only pray it had been enough. Mordecai sat at his post, scrolls and papers spread before him. The ink blurred where restless fingers had smudged it. He tried to focus, but his anxious thoughts pressed down, heavy and suffocating. The hours spent worrying had compounded, and he now had hours of paperwork to do, despite his counterpart judges all having gone home hours ago to their families. But Mordecai had no family to go home to. The sun dipped low, shadows lengthening, but then piercing the stillness of dusk. At the deserted city gate, like jackals on the hunt, came hurried whispers. They were quick, sharp, and secretive, but they were not meant for him. Mordecai slunk down, but craned his neck upward in the direction of the whispers. Sure enough, above there were two figures who lingered near the stone battlements, thinking themselves alone. Mordecai recognized them immediately. They were royal guards, Big Thana and Teresh. Their voices caught by the wind and echoed down the stone alcoves, carried to where Mordecai sat. He doesn't deserve that throne.

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Keep your voice down.

[Narrator]

But you're right.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

We risk our lives for him. And for what?

[Narrator]

Disdain? Mockery?

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

I say.

[Narrator]

I say we end it.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

Go quietly. A blade of violet poison. The citizens of Susa will thank us, and the king's rivals will reward us.

[Narrator]

The wind then shifted and carried the voices elsewhere. Mordecai's breath caught in his throat. A plot. He could see the men continuing in their murderous planning, unaware of his presence below. But he didn't want to push his luck, and besides, he didn't need to hear any more to prove their guilt. As silently as he could, he gathered his scrolls with shaking hands, his mind racing. This was more than treason. It was also a threat to Esther. Though Mordecai had no great love for King Xerxes. What would happen to Esther if he was removed from power? Would one of those treasonous thugs take his place? He shuddered to think of either one of those smarmy men laying a hand on Esther. Mordecai moved quickly Slipping away from the gate, heart pounding to send secret word to the palace. The next morning, Esther reclined in her private garden, her handmaidens nearby, their quiet chatter blending with the rustle of leaves. She tilted her face toward the sun, savoring the warmth on her skin while the cool bite of night still clung to the shaded corners of the dense oasis, she was still adjusting to the staggering wealth and the suffocating presence of constant companionship. Her handmaiden seemed harmless enough, but Mordecai's warnings lingered.

[Yael Eckstein]

The palace is full of spies, whispers, and watching eyes.

[Narrator]

It was strange to go from a life of quiet solitude to one where she was never truly alone. From somewhere beyond the garden walls, doors opened and shut. Moments later, Hettarc appeared, the eunuch the king had assigned to her after their wedding. Even that notion still felt surreal. I'm married, and a queen at that. A king's wife. And yet, with every passing day, the title felt more like a role to perform than a life to live. She watched Hettarc approach, uncertainty flickering in her chest. He had once served Queen Vashti. Where did his loyalty truly lie? Was he the king's watchful eye, placed to guard against rebellion? Or could he be something more? A confidant in a palace full of masks?

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My queen, Lord Hettak.

[Narrator]

He straightened, then flicked a glance at the handmaidens. With the smallest lift of his brow, they scurried away, disappearing into the palace corridors. Esther marveled at the subtlety of his authority. Her power wielded without raising his voice. She wondered if she would ever command presence like that. She resisted the urge to stand. It felt strange to sit while he towered over her. But she remembered Higai's instructions. She stood and bowed only to one man, her husband, the king. The silence stretched. Hettarc seemed perfectly at ease with it, Esther less so. She searched her mind for the right protocol. You came to see me, Lord? Hettard raised a finger to silence her, his head tilting slightly toward the retreating handmaidens, still lingering within earshot. Only when they had vanished into her private chambers did he speak, his voice low and direct. A man named Mordecai has sent word. Esther's breath caught. Mordecai had warned her to keep not only her heritage, but also their connection a secret. Yet now it seemed Hettarch knew. But for the moment, Esther pushed aside the implications. She was too eager to hear what news he carried. Mordecai.

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What news?

[Narrator]

Hettarch hesitated, weighing her, the risk and the words. He risked much to give this to you, the message is treason. He drew a folded parchment from his robe and placed it in her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. Her heart pounded as she unfolded it. Her cousin's familiar neat script swam before her eyes.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

My dear Esther must warn the king. Two of his guards, Big Seller and Teresh, conspired to murder him. Overheard them myself at the city gate. I know the risk of sending this message, but I trust you act swiftly and remember all I have taught you. Yours, Mordecai.

[Narrator]

Esther looked up, the weight of the words still sinking in. Hettarg watched her closely, measuring every flicker of emotion. She shot to her feet, her voice barely a whisper. We must act immediately.

[Announcer (Washable Sofas Ad)]

We must go to the king.

[Narrator]

For the first time, Hettarck's polished composure cracked. He closed the space between them, his voice low and sharp.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

And you swear this is not some scheme of your cast?

[Narrator]

If the accusation is false, will destroy.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

Your standing, and it will make your cousins death. You know the cost of him escaped this palace.

[Narrator]

Esther faltered. His warning echoed the very danger Morai had taught her to fear. And Hogai's lessons, too. Wives are summoned. They do not summon the king. But then she drew herself up. No. I believe him. Mordecai is no schemer.

[Yael Eckstein]

He raised me to stand loyal and speak the truth.

[Narrator]

I will do the same. Hettarch held her gaze with piercing intensity, as though searching for any shadow of doubt. Esther did not flinch. She would not wilt. At last, Hettar gave a single nod. Very well. We will soon know the truth. With Hettarg's reluctant permission, Esther went before the king. She kept her connection to Mordecai hidden, trusting Hettarg to do the same. But only time would tell where his true loyalties lay. The plot was investigated, found true, and justice came swiftly. Big Thana and Teresh were impaled on stakes outside the palace gates. A gruesome warning. The king recorded the event in his royal chronicles. Mordecai's name was written down as the man who revealed the traitors, but it was quickly forgotten. No thanks was sent to the city gate. Mordecai was not exalted. There was no reward, no commendations. King Xerxes slept soundly, and Queen Esther kept her place in his favor. But in the shadows, Mordecai remained unseen and unthanked, a man remembered by parchment but forgotten by power. Five years passed. The palace bustled with new faces, shifting alliances. Favor was fleeting, power even more so. And then, after a long absence from court, off fighting in the king's war, earning Victories as well as influence. An old, familiar face returned to Susa Haemon. He was a polished politician and a ruthless opponent on and off the battlefield. He hailed from the province of Agag and was even rumored to be descended from an Amalekite king, sworn enemies of Israel. In fact, his disdain for the Jews and the other minorities within his province was no secret. His ambition rippled through every gesture and polluted every calculated move. He bowed to power, not out of loyalty, but for the rewards it could deliver. Persia ruled the world, and Haman intended to rule whatever parts of it he could grasp. When he returned to Susa, the king elevated him, and so he strutted through the capital in robes of the highest rank. And wherever he went, conversations died. Smiles faltered. No one dared meet his gaze, but they were compelled to bow and scrape to him as they would the king. This was an honor bestowed to no other man in the Persian empire. One morning, at the city gates where Mordecai worked, Haman emerged from the palace. The nobles bent low, merchants pressed their foreheads to the ground, and servants groveled in the dust. But despite the masses paying their homage to the man deemed second in all of Persia, Mordecai stood tall and unmoving, his eyes narrowing in silence, seething hatred and distrust. Arjan, Mordecai's fellow judge, noticed out of the corner of his eye. When Haman and his entourage had continued out into the city and the bystanders around them resumed their activities, he leaned over and whispered discreetly to his old friend. Why do you not bow? Do you not fear what Lord Harmon might do to you? Mordecai felt his jaw set. He chose his words carefully. His years of quiet loyalty, his unwavering service to the empire and the king had gone unnoticed, forgotten in the royal record. And now to see an obscenely ambitious, cruel man with an abhorrent reputation, an enemy of his people, no less, elevated to honour and power. It didn't just feel unjust, it felt like a violation of the natural order. Mordecai had given his loyalty to Persia, the captors of his people he had served faithfully, though his people were scattered across the empire, far from home. But to bow to this man, this enemy? Never.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

I will not bow to that man.

[Narrator]

But unfortunately for Mordecai, Arjang was not the only one who noticed that Mordecai did not bow. The whispers carried, and rumors spread, as they always did in Susa. They reached Haemon's ears like smoke curling through palace halls.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

Who's the man who will not bow.

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His name is Mordecai. He's a judge at the city gate. And this isn't public knowledge, mind you. He likes to keep it quiet.

[Narrator]

But I know those who have seen.

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What side of town he goes to each night and comes from each morning.

[Narrator]

The Jewish Quarter. He's a Jew.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

Of course. I knew this had to be no more than petty posturing or the trivial jealousy of a rival. As if this no name judge could rival me. And that he's a Jew. Those repugnant refugees creeping in every corner of Persia. They couldn't hold their own land, so now they infest ours. And if this Jew dares to defy me, who's to say others won't follow? No, this isn't about one man. It's about rooting out the disease before it spreads.

[Narrator]

Later that evening, in his chambers, Haman rolled a small object between his fingers. A poor a lot he cast it, watching it fall, marking a date. He then went to the King.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

Your Majesty, I have egregious news. I'm loathe to even report it, but surely you know by now how deep my loyalty runs to you, my king.

[Narrator]

King Xerxes lapped up every lie, every false sentiment laid by Haman.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

I've been making observations of my travels through your glorious empire. Grievous observations indeed. There's a people scattered among your preferences who do not follow your laws. They're dangerous, disloyal. Allow me to remove them for the good of the empire. Who are these people?

[Narrator]

Haman bit back a wicked smile at how the king was falling flawlessly into his trap.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

It is the Jews, my king. Their laws are different from everyone else's, and they don't obtain the king's laws. It is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them. If the king approves, let an order be drawn up authorizing their destruction, and I will pay 375 tons of silver to the officials for deposit in the royal treasury. Let it be as you say and take whatever you need to be rid of them.

[Narrator]

So the king. King removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, son of Hammedata the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. Haman with the signet ring. The authority of the king had the scribes draw up the edicts, seal them in wax and clay, and distribute them throughout the entire kingdom. Early that morning, Mordecai woke up feeling uneasy. When he arrived at the city gates, he saw knots of his fellow judges and other officials gathered together whispering. When he drew closer, they hushed in concern. His friend Ajahn sighed and pulled him aside, handing him an edict. Even before he read the words, his hands trembled, anticipating the severity of whatever was inside.

[King Xerxes / Haman (various male characters)]

On the 13th day, the 12th month, all Jews, men, women and children are to be destroyed. Annihilate them all and plunder their possessions.

[Narrator]

Single day Panic rippled through the empire. In Susa. There was confusion and horror and weeping at the hateful words. There were whispers of dread, whispers of evil, and soon whispers would rise into walls that clothed the streets in sackcloth and sorrow, as if the earth itself tore its garments in grief beneath the weight of reckless hate.

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[Yael Eckstein]

If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and it has affected your life. We'd love it if you left a review. We read them and me personally, I cherish them. As you venture forth boldly and faithfully, I leave you with the biblical Blessing from Numbers 6. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you. May he be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace. Amen.

[Narrator]

You can listen to the Chosen People with Yael Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the pray.com app today. This pray.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellevaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the Chosen People with Yael Eckstein. Edited by Our Alberto Avila 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 and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Bree Rosalie and Chris Bague. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin Van Etten, Caleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, Rabbi Edward Abramson and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Pray.com productions on the Pray.com app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed the Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.

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