WEBVTT - The Beginning

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<v Speaker 1>This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.

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<v Speaker 2>Faster! 600 chariots churned up dust and stone behind Pharaoh

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<v Speaker 2>and his armies.

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<v Speaker 1>They rode with.

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<v Speaker 2>Hardened rage deep in their stomachs. The air was thick

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<v Speaker 2>with the scent of iron and hatred. Pharaoh's scepter rose

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<v Speaker 2>above his head, poised to strike the first Hebrew he saw.

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<v Speaker 2>I am a god! I am lord of the Nile!

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<v Speaker 2>The image of Ra!

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<v Speaker 1>I am.

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<v Speaker 2>Suddenly, the heavens responded. The chariots were halted by a

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<v Speaker 2>pillar of fire falling from the sky. The heavenly inferno

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<v Speaker 2>raged before them with white-hot intensity. The horses reared in

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<v Speaker 2>a panicked frenzy and the soldiers cowered, shielding their faces.

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<v Speaker 2>The heat singed their brows, but Pharaoh wouldn't relent. His

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<v Speaker 2>fury burned just as fierce as the heavenly flames. Violent

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<v Speaker 2>rage dripped out of him like sweat. He knew the

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<v Speaker 2>Lord had challenged him. But even after all the plagues

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<v Speaker 2>and destruction, Pharaoh refused to bend a knee. You will

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<v Speaker 2>not rule over me if I can't hit them big.

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<v Speaker 2>Kill them.

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<v Speaker 1>Their blood shall consecrate my reign. They will know that

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<v Speaker 1>I am Pharaoh.

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<v Speaker 2>The children of Israel stood in front of the sea.

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<v Speaker 2>The waters churned violently, a dark and chaotic symbol of death.

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<v Speaker 2>Terror carved deep lines into their weary faces as they

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<v Speaker 2>stood paralyzed, The sounds of pharaohs approaching fury growing louder

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<v Speaker 2>behind them. They were trapped between their oppressors and the abyss.

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<v Speaker 2>They had no way out and no way forward.

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<v Speaker 1>We're doomed! There's no way out! What are we going

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<v Speaker 1>to do? Is this what you wanted, Moses? We have

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<v Speaker 1>no graves in Egypt, so you've decided to bury us

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<v Speaker 1>out here? You should have left us alone. Better to

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<v Speaker 1>live as slaves than die out here.

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<v Speaker 2>Moses' eyes widened with similar panic, but he had to

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<v Speaker 2>remain calm. His gaze shifted from the menacing chariots to

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<v Speaker 2>the swirling chaos of the sea. He didn't know how

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<v Speaker 2>long the chariots would be kept at bay. They had

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<v Speaker 2>to act quickly.

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<v Speaker 1>Moses, we can't remain here. We either surrender to Pharaoh

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<v Speaker 1>or start running around the shoreline.

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<v Speaker 2>He's gotten us this far.

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<v Speaker 1>Why doubt now?

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<v Speaker 2>Are you listening to me?

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<v Speaker 1>Surrender around the coast. We can't remain here. We're running

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<v Speaker 1>out of time.

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<v Speaker 2>Have you learned nothing here?

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<v Speaker 1>Remember how we got here.

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<v Speaker 2>Moses left his brother's side and ascended a jagged outcrop.

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<v Speaker 2>He looked over the flock of Israel. He saw their fear.

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<v Speaker 2>He felt it. He wasn't immune to terror, yet he

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<v Speaker 2>knew deliverance was at hand. Someway, somehow, Moses knew the

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<v Speaker 2>Lord would respond. He wouldn't have freed them from slavery

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<v Speaker 2>to abandon them now. The same God who rained fire

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<v Speaker 2>from the sky and turned the Nile to blood would

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<v Speaker 2>not forsake them. Moses wasn't an eloquent man, a motivator,

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<v Speaker 2>or an orator like his brother, but he trusted God.

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<v Speaker 2>He wanted the children of Israel to move with the

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<v Speaker 2>same faith. His faith burned like a furnace. Moses pointed

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<v Speaker 2>toward the chariots illuminated by flames. Pharaoh's bloodthirsty screams resounded

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<v Speaker 2>over the sound of the waves and inferno, but Moses

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<v Speaker 2>saw him for who he truly was, a false god

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<v Speaker 2>and a defeated man.

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<v Speaker 1>Look at them!

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<v Speaker 2>Look at the Egyptians!

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<v Speaker 1>Hungry for your flesh!

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<v Speaker 2>After this day, you.

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<v Speaker 1>Will never see them again!

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<v Speaker 2>Stand firm! Reject the fear gripping your hearts. Stand firm

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<v Speaker 2>and behold the salvation of the Lord. He will fight

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<v Speaker 2>for you. A mighty eastern wind blew through the canyons,

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<v Speaker 2>churning the water's edge. The breath of God was near.

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<v Speaker 2>Moses looked back at the raging sea. The waters were

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<v Speaker 2>dark and untamed, just as they were in the very beginning.

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<v Speaker 2>But the wind of God was present, the Ruach, the Spirit.

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<v Speaker 2>Everything went silent for Moses, as if he were suspended

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<v Speaker 2>from space and time. The clamor of the crowd faded

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<v Speaker 2>into a distant echo. He gripped his staff tightly, brow

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<v Speaker 2>furrowed with righteous resolve. He closed his eyes, hearing the

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<v Speaker 2>voice of the Almighty resounding in his mind.

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<v Speaker 1>Why do you cry to me? Tell the children of

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<v Speaker 1>Israel to advance. Stretch forth your hand over the sea,

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<v Speaker 1>and behold my wonders. I will triumph over Pharaoh and

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<v Speaker 1>his armies. My glory will be revealed and my name

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<v Speaker 1>will be exalted among the nations. They will know that

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<v Speaker 1>I am the Lord.

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<v Speaker 2>Moses opened his eyes, planted his foot firmly on the

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<v Speaker 2>rock below, and raised his staff. The breath of God

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<v Speaker 2>blew from behind his chosen people. The wind cut through

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<v Speaker 2>the sea like a razor, dividing the waters into two

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<v Speaker 2>great walls with dry land between them. The people fell

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<v Speaker 2>back and beheld the Red Sea yielding to the will

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<v Speaker 2>of God. The voice of the Creator tamed the dark

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<v Speaker 2>and chaotic abyss. Moses turned, his voice thundering over the

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<v Speaker 2>stunned crowd. Run! Step into your freedom! Aaron and Miriam

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<v Speaker 2>rallied the people. Women with children ran in first, with

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<v Speaker 2>the men in the back. The waters were held at

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<v Speaker 2>bay by the breath of the Creator, and the chosen

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<v Speaker 2>people ran through unharmed. They leaped over stones and helped

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<v Speaker 2>each other up jagged slopes. Moses remained there with his

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<v Speaker 2>staff held high. He looked back. The pillar of fire

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<v Speaker 2>rose into a dark plume of smoke, enveloping Pharaoh's army

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<v Speaker 2>in darkness. The 600 chariots burst through with rage. Soot

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<v Speaker 2>covered their faces, mirroring the darkness.

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<v Speaker 1>In their hearts. After them!

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<v Speaker 2>Don't stop until the sea runs red with their blood!

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<v Speaker 2>They were the cries of a man watching his godhood

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<v Speaker 2>melt away under the intensity of a more extraordinary being.

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<v Speaker 2>Moses turned to Pharaoh, seeing the man he once knew

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<v Speaker 2>as a kinsman and friend. Images of their childhood flashed

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<v Speaker 2>in his mind. He didn't see a bloodthirsty tyrant. He

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<v Speaker 2>saw Ramses, the boy, the brother. Before the throne and

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<v Speaker 2>delusions of divinity, he was a boy playing by the stream,

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<v Speaker 2>pretending to be a sea monster. He had become a

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<v Speaker 2>monster indeed, and it broke Moses' heart.

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<v Speaker 1>Rouseys!

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<v Speaker 2>Relent, you fool! Come back and fight me, coward! Moses

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<v Speaker 2>was frozen. staring into Pharaoh's darkened eyes. Just then, an

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<v Speaker 2>arm grabbed him from behind.

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<v Speaker 1>Moses, snap out of it! You have to run!

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<v Speaker 2>Aaron took Moses by the arm and dragged him back.

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<v Speaker 2>The brothers ran down the path cut through the sea.

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<v Speaker 2>The mud slowed their pace, and the sounds of horse

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<v Speaker 2>hooves and bronze wheels weren't far behind. Moses didn't look

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<v Speaker 2>back until he reached the other side. The chariots were

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<v Speaker 2>stalled from the muck of the sea's floor. Frustrated, Pharaoh

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<v Speaker 2>sent spears and arrows. They broke against the rocks right

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<v Speaker 2>past Moses. Aaron launched himself up a stone and crawled up.

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<v Speaker 2>He extended his hand to Moses.

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<v Speaker 1>Everyone is on the other side. We have to move

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<v Speaker 1>before they catch up. Miriam is already taking them to

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<v Speaker 1>the hills. No.

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<v Speaker 2>Command them to stay.

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<v Speaker 1>Don't be foolish, Moses. Let's flee now before it's too late.

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<v Speaker 1>We finally have a chance to be free. I don't understand, Aaron.

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<v Speaker 2>The Lord doesn't want us to run for the rest

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<v Speaker 2>of our lives.

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<v Speaker 1>As long as Pharaoh lives, we'll never be free.

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<v Speaker 2>The Lord promised that we'd never see them again. Moses

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<v Speaker 2>turned back to the chariots. Another arrow flew past him,

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<v Speaker 2>barely grazing his cheek. The renowned chariots of Egypt were

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<v Speaker 2>rendered useless in the mud. They dismounted, trudging through the

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<v Speaker 2>muck with spears in hand. Moses' jaw quivered. The mighty

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<v Speaker 2>armies of Egypt were about to crumble.

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<v Speaker 1>Stretch out your hand again, Moses. Stretch out your hand,

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<v Speaker 1>and behold, Pharaoh will know that I am the Lord.

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<v Speaker 2>With an onslaught of arrows and spears flying toward him,

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<v Speaker 2>Moses raised his staff in the air. You will feel

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<v Speaker 2>the tip of my spear, Moses.

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<v Speaker 1>You and your unnamed God will bow.

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<v Speaker 2>At my feet and beg for mercy. He has a name.

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<v Speaker 1>And now all of Egypt will remember him.

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<v Speaker 2>Moses lowered his staff, and the waters fell like mountains.

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<v Speaker 2>Pharaoh was crushed under the weight of the sea. The

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<v Speaker 2>chariots splintered, the swords disappeared, and the rushing waters drowned

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<v Speaker 2>out their screams. The oppressors of God's chosen people were

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<v Speaker 2>buried in darkness. Before time, before light, before man, Before

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<v Speaker 2>all things that were, there was the I Am. He

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<v Speaker 2>came from nothing, nor did anything exist before him. Before

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<v Speaker 2>the cosmos draped itself in the glistening array of celestial lights,

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<v Speaker 2>before the verdant valleys cradled the mountains' tears, there stood

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<v Speaker 2>the I Am, the Elohim, the Uncreated One. With a

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<v Speaker 2>whisper that fractured the infinite dark, he commanded the heavens

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<v Speaker 2>into being. Galaxies were forged, and stars and planets appeared.

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<v Speaker 2>Tucked within one of these galaxies was the Earth. Tiny

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<v Speaker 2>compared to the boundless reach of space, yet precious in

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<v Speaker 2>the Creator's sight. It was formless and void, but not

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<v Speaker 2>for long. Darkness was over the deep and chaotic waters.

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<v Speaker 1>Then, in the.

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<v Speaker 2>Dark and quiet mystery of an untamed world, the voice

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<v Speaker 2>of God spoke.

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<v Speaker 1>Let there be light.

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<v Speaker 2>It was like a song, an anthem. From his voice,

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<v Speaker 2>light broke through the noiseless void. The darkness was held back,

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<v Speaker 2>and the chaotic waters were tamed. God saw the light.

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<v Speaker 2>It brought the potential for life. God called the light

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<v Speaker 2>day and the darkness night. This was the beginning of creation,

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<v Speaker 2>the first day. Light would be the brush by which

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<v Speaker 2>God painted his masterpiece. Each moment, each day, was a

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<v Speaker 2>verse in the poem of creation, and it was good.

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<v Speaker 1>May the waters below and the waters above be separated,

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<v Speaker 1>and may the heavens reign above.

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<v Speaker 2>The Creator sang to the sky, the earth's atmosphere formed,

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<v Speaker 2>and the potential for life increased. God was crafting the

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<v Speaker 2>expanse of the heavens and earth with a plan in mind.

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<v Speaker 2>This was the second day of God's masterpiece, and it

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<v Speaker 2>was good. Then, God's voice beckoned the earth to rise

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<v Speaker 2>out of the waters.

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<v Speaker 1>Come forth, O land. May the waters gather, and may

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<v Speaker 1>the earth rise.

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<v Speaker 2>Fire from the belly of the earth burst forth, and

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<v Speaker 2>the waters cooled the molten ground. Slowly and violently the

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<v Speaker 2>earth rose. It emerged from the waters, sturdy and immovable.

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<v Speaker 2>God called the dry land earth and the waters seas.

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<v Speaker 2>God looked upon them and declared that they were good.

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<v Speaker 2>The earth stretched for miles, barren, empty. Now that the

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<v Speaker 2>earth was set in strength, it awaited its verdant crown.

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<v Speaker 2>God called forth life with a gentle decree like rain

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<v Speaker 2>nourishing the parched soil. Like a womb prepared for seed,

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<v Speaker 2>the earth received God's word.

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<v Speaker 1>Let the earth have life, vegetation, plants, fruits, and seeds,

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<v Speaker 1>each according to its kind.

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<v Speaker 2>And it was so. Plants sprang forth from the ground.

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<v Speaker 2>Trees stretched to the heavens, soaking in the sun's nourishing rays.

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<v Speaker 2>Wildflowers arrayed the mountain range, spreading their seeds with each

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<v Speaker 2>wisp of the wind. God looked upon the vibrant land

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<v Speaker 2>and saw that it was good. It was adorned with

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<v Speaker 2>color and prepared to nourish itself. This was the third day.

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<v Speaker 2>God whispered to the wind, blowing away the clouds and

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<v Speaker 2>revealing the expanse of heaven above. The earth was nudged

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<v Speaker 2>into motion and the stars shifted in the night sky.

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<v Speaker 1>Day from night, days from years, seasons from season, let

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<v Speaker 1>light shine. and give order to the earth.

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<v Speaker 2>God delicately set the earth and every planet on its axis.

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<v Speaker 2>As creation's architect, he set it all in motion, crafting

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<v Speaker 2>time from the endless weave of light and darkness. The

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<v Speaker 2>sun was set to govern the day, and the moon

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<v Speaker 2>watched over the night, each a faithful witness, marking seasons

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<v Speaker 2>and years, days and nights. The cosmic clockwork was a

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<v Speaker 2>masterpiece of divine precision. God beheld all of it and

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<v Speaker 2>declared it to be good. This was the fourth day.

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<v Speaker 2>No longer brewing in chaotic rage, the waters were ready

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<v Speaker 2>for life.

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<v Speaker 1>Let living creatures spring forth from the waters. and may

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<v Speaker 1>the skies be adorned with birds.

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<v Speaker 2>The oceans teemed with life, from the tiniest plankton to

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<v Speaker 2>the great leviathans that guarded the deep. The skies filled

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<v Speaker 2>with the chorus of birds, each song a melody of

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<v Speaker 2>creation's joy. They were given breath, life, and blessing. The

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<v Speaker 2>Creator sang over.

0:16:32.820 --> 0:16:37.340
<v Speaker 1>Them, Multiply, fill the seas and skies.

0:16:38.150 --> 0:16:42.380
<v Speaker 2>This was the fifth day. God saw what he had

0:16:42.460 --> 0:16:46.360
<v Speaker 2>made and knew that it was good. The earth had

0:16:46.440 --> 0:16:51.280
<v Speaker 2>yet to welcome creatures, beings walking with the breath of life.

0:16:51.960 --> 0:16:59.140
<v Speaker 1>Come forth, beasts, livestock, and crawling things, each according to

0:16:59.220 --> 0:17:03.010
<v Speaker 1>its kind. Go forth and multiply.

0:17:03.950 --> 0:17:08.710
<v Speaker 2>God made the beasts of the earth. They stomped and crawled.

0:17:08.970 --> 0:17:12.930
<v Speaker 2>They howled and groaned. The earth was filled with creatures

0:17:13.280 --> 0:17:18.000
<v Speaker 2>abiding by God's will and word to fill and multiply

0:17:18.040 --> 0:17:22.159
<v Speaker 2>the earth. The world was a tapestry of life, vibrant

0:17:22.420 --> 0:17:27.540
<v Speaker 2>and brimming with potential. This was the fifth day. God

0:17:27.619 --> 0:17:31.350
<v Speaker 2>looked upon all he had done and declared it good.

0:17:32.930 --> 0:17:38.070
<v Speaker 2>At last, It was time. One thing remained for the creator.

0:17:38.830 --> 0:17:43.560
<v Speaker 2>It was time to stamp creation with his image. Bearers

0:17:43.760 --> 0:17:49.000
<v Speaker 2>of his likeness to steward the world. God, the Elohim,

0:17:49.460 --> 0:17:54.140
<v Speaker 2>consulted with himself about the nature of his next masterpiece.

0:17:54.580 --> 0:17:59.010
<v Speaker 1>Let us craft creatures in our image, imbued with our essence.

0:17:59.790 --> 0:18:03.060
<v Speaker 1>Let us make man as an image of God. to

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<v Speaker 1>steward the fish of the sea, birds of the air,

0:18:07.359 --> 0:18:09.180
<v Speaker 1>and creatures of the earth.

0:18:10.680 --> 0:18:16.200
<v Speaker 2>Then, out of dust, God fashioned creatures unlike any other.

0:18:17.030 --> 0:18:23.690
<v Speaker 2>They weren't temporal animals or heavenly beings. They were something special, other,

0:18:24.369 --> 0:18:30.890
<v Speaker 2>set apart. God crafted humanity in his image. He created

0:18:31.030 --> 0:18:35.350
<v Speaker 2>male and female expressions of his divine nature and will

0:18:35.550 --> 0:18:40.209
<v Speaker 2>on the earth. In them was life, the breath of God,

0:18:40.730 --> 0:18:47.040
<v Speaker 2>the spirit of wisdom and love, and the potential for music, art, industry,

0:18:47.320 --> 0:18:52.560
<v Speaker 2>and family. The wind rolled over the mountains, the seas

0:18:52.780 --> 0:18:58.770
<v Speaker 2>thrashed against the shores, forests hummed with animated energy, It

0:18:58.850 --> 0:19:01.109
<v Speaker 2>was all theirs to enjoy.

0:19:01.910 --> 0:19:08.560
<v Speaker 1>Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it.

0:19:09.260 --> 0:19:16.639
<v Speaker 1>You will be my co-rulers of this creation. Behold, I

0:19:16.680 --> 0:19:21.619
<v Speaker 1>have given you everything necessary for life, every plant and

0:19:21.720 --> 0:19:25.859
<v Speaker 1>fruit of the vine. Everything with the breath of life

0:19:26.460 --> 0:19:27.240
<v Speaker 1>is yours.

0:19:28.380 --> 0:19:32.399
<v Speaker 2>God's design for humanity was to bear his image, fill

0:19:32.440 --> 0:19:36.760
<v Speaker 2>the earth, and share in the joy of creation. Then

0:19:37.160 --> 0:19:42.109
<v Speaker 2>God rested on the seventh day, surveying his creation. He

0:19:42.210 --> 0:19:46.109
<v Speaker 2>scanned everything from the heavens above to the depths of

0:19:46.170 --> 0:19:49.790
<v Speaker 2>the sea. He listened to the songs of birds in

0:19:49.810 --> 0:19:53.720
<v Speaker 2>the morning and the howling of wolves at night. He

0:19:53.800 --> 0:19:58.960
<v Speaker 2>surveyed man's character and potential for life, love, and laughter.

0:20:00.020 --> 0:20:07.370
<v Speaker 2>It wasn't good. It was perfect. Thus, creation was hewn

0:20:07.470 --> 0:20:16.820
<v Speaker 2>from the chaotic void. to darkness, order into chaos, and

0:20:16.900 --> 0:20:22.350
<v Speaker 2>potential into the void. Amid this creation he set a

0:20:22.400 --> 0:20:27.090
<v Speaker 2>garden on a high place where heaven and earth harmonized.

0:20:27.970 --> 0:20:33.010
<v Speaker 2>On that mountain the history of humanity would unfold. What

0:20:33.150 --> 0:20:38.419
<v Speaker 2>God called good would be introduced to evil, and the

0:20:38.520 --> 0:20:47.970
<v Speaker 2>story of redemptive love would be set in motion. This

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<v Speaker 2>Pray.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team

0:20:52.310 --> 0:20:57.219
<v Speaker 2>of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Schellebarger and

0:20:57.280 --> 0:21:00.399
<v Speaker 2>Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People,

0:21:00.680 --> 0:21:05.359
<v Speaker 2>narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton,

0:21:05.680 --> 0:21:11.369
<v Speaker 2>Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradok,

0:21:11.820 --> 0:21:16.980
<v Speaker 2>Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Lashinsky. Music by

0:21:17.160 --> 0:21:21.659
<v Speaker 2>Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely, and

0:21:21.720 --> 0:21:25.449
<v Speaker 2>Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey.com productions on the

0:21:25.490 --> 0:21:29.189
<v Speaker 2>Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google

0:21:29.250 --> 0:21:32.330
<v Speaker 2>Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate

0:21:32.470 --> 0:21:33.370
<v Speaker 2>and leave a review.

0:21:33.630 --> 0:21:37.030
<v Speaker 1>This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.