WEBVTT - Pharaoh's Revenge 0:00:00.200 --> 0:00:02.400 Previously on the chosen people. 0:00:04.040 --> 0:00:09.400 At midnight, the Lord will descend upon Egypt, every first 0:00:09.440 --> 0:00:14.440 born in the land, every first born from your own 0:00:14.560 --> 0:00:17.799 son upon this throne to the lowliest slave, and the 0:00:17.880 --> 0:00:21.840 mill will die. There shall be a cry throughout the 0:00:21.920 --> 0:00:26.320 land of Egypt, a cry unlike any heard before, nor 0:00:26.400 --> 0:00:30.680 ever will be again. But not a dog shall growl 0:00:31.040 --> 0:00:37.159 against the people of Israel. You will know, Rameses, You 0:00:37.360 --> 0:00:40.279 will know who the Lord's chosen people are. 0:00:41.840 --> 0:00:46.600 A shadow passed through the streets of Egypt, unseen yet felt. 0:00:47.360 --> 0:00:50.159 It was not the wind, though the curtains moved and 0:00:50.200 --> 0:00:52.040 the candles flickered in its wake. 0:00:52.760 --> 0:01:02.720 Why my son, Heba mine, come with what bring my 0:01:02.880 --> 0:01:04.520 child back to life? 0:01:05.280 --> 0:01:09.039 Beyond the palace walls, the whales began to rise, one 0:01:09.160 --> 0:01:11.880 by one, like the growing roar of the sea in 0:01:11.959 --> 0:01:15.680 a storm. In every house untouched by the blood of 0:01:15.720 --> 0:01:19.200 the lamb, the first born were found cold in their beds, 0:01:19.760 --> 0:01:22.679 from the eldest son of the lowliest farmer to the 0:01:22.720 --> 0:01:24.800 first born calf in the fields. 0:01:26.440 --> 0:01:37.760 Go go and take your people, leave this land, take 0:01:37.800 --> 0:01:46.400 your floss, your hearts, your children, and be gone. 0:01:48.120 --> 0:01:48.760 And when you. 0:01:48.920 --> 0:01:56.560 Go, speak to your gone, play to him for me. 0:01:58.880 --> 0:02:04.680 For my people. The children of Israel moved as one, 0:02:05.120 --> 0:02:10.160 a tide of humanity, surging into the unknown wilderness. For days, 0:02:10.200 --> 0:02:13.639 they traveled, their spirits buoyed by the knowledge that they 0:02:13.680 --> 0:02:15.400 had left Egypt behind. 0:02:16.320 --> 0:02:17.560 Step with hope. 0:02:17.840 --> 0:02:21.240 Children of Israel puts to freedom. 0:02:21.720 --> 0:02:27.400 When Pharaoh refused to bend our God broke him. The 0:02:27.600 --> 0:02:32.079 Lord killed every first born son in the land of Egypt. 0:02:32.360 --> 0:02:32.799 For you. 0:02:33.800 --> 0:02:38.480 It is for this reason we redeem our sons. 0:02:39.040 --> 0:02:39.840 It is for this. 0:02:40.480 --> 0:02:44.840 Reason we will sacrifice to the Lord. We are a 0:02:45.000 --> 0:02:52.680 free people. We are redeemed people. We are the Chosen People. 0:03:00.800 --> 0:03:05.959 Pharaoh's wrath surged like the tide, but God parted the waters, 0:03:06.040 --> 0:03:10.239 carving a road of redemption. Schello, my friends, from here 0:03:10.240 --> 0:03:13.280 in the holy Land of Israel. I'mya l Extein with 0:03:13.320 --> 0:03:17.120 the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. Welcome to the 0:03:17.240 --> 0:03:20.800 Chosen People. What is freedom worth if it can be 0:03:20.880 --> 0:03:23.840 taken away in the blink of an eye. Let's journey 0:03:23.880 --> 0:03:26.960 back to the ancient sands of Egypt, where the cries 0:03:27.000 --> 0:03:30.720 of a nation echoed against the walls of Tyrony, where 0:03:30.800 --> 0:03:34.080 Pharaoh and his quest for revenge pursued the children of 0:03:34.160 --> 0:03:38.840 Israel with a vengeance fueled by pride and fury. The 0:03:38.960 --> 0:03:44.440 scene is said in Exodus thirteen and fourteen, chapters of Escape, Deliverance, 0:03:44.600 --> 0:03:48.000 and a plot for revenge. 0:03:48.800 --> 0:03:51.440 If we cut through the valley beside the Great Sea 0:03:51.640 --> 0:03:52.800 will make better time. 0:03:53.400 --> 0:03:58.000 Moses, Aaron, and Miriam stood over a crude map, drawn 0:03:58.120 --> 0:04:02.160 hastily in charcoal on a strip of light leather. The 0:04:02.280 --> 0:04:06.680 lines were jagged and uncertain, reflecting the wild unknown that 0:04:06.880 --> 0:04:12.000 stretched before them. Aaron's finger traced a path along the coastline, 0:04:12.200 --> 0:04:15.680 skirting the edge of the Great Sea, his eyes flicking 0:04:15.720 --> 0:04:16.360 to Moses. 0:04:16.960 --> 0:04:19.800 There will be towns on the way to restore our provisions, 0:04:20.240 --> 0:04:23.440 But what of those towns who occupies them? 0:04:23.880 --> 0:04:28.080 Her brow furrowed with concern. She had lived long enough 0:04:28.120 --> 0:04:30.800 to know that not all men were kind, and the 0:04:30.880 --> 0:04:35.039 Israelites were a wandering people, vulnerable to the swords of 0:04:35.080 --> 0:04:40.640 others who would welcome them a vast horde of displaced slaves. 0:04:41.400 --> 0:04:46.560 Her eyes turned to Moses, seeking his wisdom. Moses stared 0:04:46.600 --> 0:04:51.480 at the map, but his mind was elsewhere, listening. The 0:04:51.560 --> 0:04:55.400 wind stirred faintly, carrying with it the faint whisper of 0:04:55.440 --> 0:04:59.159 the Lord. A voice only he could hear speaking not 0:04:59.360 --> 0:05:01.560 to his ear, but to his soul. 0:05:02.760 --> 0:05:06.680 We can't take that route. It's the land of the Philistines. 0:05:07.680 --> 0:05:13.000 They're an unnecessarily violent brood of people. Their brutality is 0:05:13.040 --> 0:05:17.400 a matter of faith soaked in blood of they They 0:05:17.560 --> 0:05:22.560 worshiped through war, through slaughter. It's in their nature. 0:05:23.800 --> 0:05:26.520 The only other way is to go through the wilderness 0:05:26.520 --> 0:05:28.279 on the banks of the Red Sea. 0:05:28.440 --> 0:05:30.680 It's risky, Moses, we'd. 0:05:30.480 --> 0:05:32.880 Be pinned between the hills and the vast sea. 0:05:33.440 --> 0:05:37.280 Are you sure the Lord has spoken? He doesn't want 0:05:37.279 --> 0:05:40.599 the people to see the violence of Philistia and return 0:05:40.680 --> 0:05:41.760 to Egypt in fear. 0:05:42.920 --> 0:05:46.039 Very well, I shall rally the people. We will leave 0:05:46.120 --> 0:05:48.320 succors and immediately head to Ethan. 0:05:49.000 --> 0:05:51.919 Tell each man to be equipped for battle. There's no 0:05:52.000 --> 0:05:54.320 telling what perils will face on the white of Canaan. 0:05:55.120 --> 0:06:01.400 The wilderness is treacherous, the path is Longriam has heard 0:06:01.400 --> 0:06:02.240 done what I've asked. 0:06:03.279 --> 0:06:07.400 Moses had instructed her son, her and a dozen others 0:06:07.680 --> 0:06:12.280 to secure the bones of Joseph. Long ago. Joseph had 0:06:12.279 --> 0:06:15.160 made the sons of Israel swear to bury him in 0:06:15.240 --> 0:06:16.839 the land of his forefathers. 0:06:17.240 --> 0:06:18.800 I am about to die. 0:06:19.200 --> 0:06:23.400 But God will surely come to your aid and take 0:06:23.560 --> 0:06:26.960 you up out of this land to the land he 0:06:27.279 --> 0:06:34.000 promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Swear to 0:06:34.120 --> 0:06:38.120 me that you will carry my bones from this place 0:06:38.839 --> 0:06:42.640 when God visits you. When you return to the land, 0:06:42.760 --> 0:06:45.680 promised to us to take me with you. 0:06:46.160 --> 0:06:47.080 Miriam nodded. 0:06:47.480 --> 0:06:49.719 Her and his sons are keeping his bones in a 0:06:49.760 --> 0:06:50.400 safe place. 0:06:50.800 --> 0:06:52.599 Joseph will reach the promised land. 0:06:52.880 --> 0:06:56.440 Good good. We want to honor his memory. 0:06:57.040 --> 0:06:59.240 He was the one who let our people into Egypt. 0:07:00.040 --> 0:07:04.039 Oh, you are leading us out, not I. The Lord 0:07:04.120 --> 0:07:04.760 is leading us. 0:07:05.600 --> 0:07:09.800 Moses gestured behind him. The pillar of fire that had 0:07:09.840 --> 0:07:12.880 guided them by night was a pillar of smoke. During 0:07:12.920 --> 0:07:17.160 the day. Its dark plooms swirled in a powerful, other 0:07:17.280 --> 0:07:21.720 worldly force. Moses drew a deep breath and nodded to 0:07:21.800 --> 0:07:26.440 dismiss Aaron and Miriam. They rallied the people. The Lord 0:07:26.640 --> 0:07:30.240 was before them, guiding them through the wilderness towards the 0:07:30.320 --> 0:07:34.880 Red Sea. Day and night. He didn't depart from his people. 0:07:35.480 --> 0:07:40.200 He was present, powerful and purposefully guiding them toward the 0:07:40.280 --> 0:07:44.080 Red Sea. It was there where God would make his 0:07:44.280 --> 0:07:48.680 judgment final and seal his deliverance once and for all. 0:07:49.880 --> 0:07:53.480 That night, Moses heard the Lord whisper in the wind, 0:07:54.040 --> 0:07:57.040 a warning, a command, a promise. 0:07:57.720 --> 0:08:01.280 Tell the people of Israel to turn back and camp 0:08:01.360 --> 0:08:05.400 in front of pie Hathoth, between Migdol and the sea, 0:08:05.960 --> 0:08:09.760 in front of Bay al Zaphar. You shall camp facing 0:08:09.800 --> 0:08:10.760 it by the sea. 0:08:11.400 --> 0:08:13.520 Why would I have them facing the sea? 0:08:14.200 --> 0:08:18.320 My works have hardened Pharaoh's heart. He will perceive you 0:08:18.400 --> 0:08:21.320 are vulnerable and pursue you. 0:08:21.320 --> 0:08:23.360 You bringing us to him on purpose? 0:08:23.880 --> 0:08:28.440 Why I will have my glory of a pharaoh. He 0:08:28.600 --> 0:08:31.440 will know that I am the Lord. 0:08:33.720 --> 0:08:37.800 The halls of Pharaoh's court were empty, save for the 0:08:37.840 --> 0:08:42.840 oppressive darkness that clung to every corner. The only light 0:08:43.160 --> 0:08:47.120 came from the faint glow of oil lamps, casting flickering 0:08:47.200 --> 0:08:51.000 shadows on the statues of the gods, the defeated gods, 0:08:51.440 --> 0:08:56.120 who now stood silent and powerless, their eyes blank, their 0:08:56.160 --> 0:09:01.880 mouths mute. Pharaoh sat upon his throne, his fingers gripping 0:09:01.920 --> 0:09:06.160 the edges of the stone seat until his knuckles turned white. 0:09:06.800 --> 0:09:10.559 His blood boiled with rage, and the fire of humiliation 0:09:10.880 --> 0:09:16.480 smoldered in his chest. From the shadows, Nebermund entered his 0:09:16.679 --> 0:09:17.880 tongue was careful. 0:09:17.920 --> 0:09:19.720 The Israelite slaves have. 0:09:19.800 --> 0:09:21.880 All left, Lord Pharaoh. 0:09:23.160 --> 0:09:27.960 May the scourge of their god leave with them. 0:09:27.760 --> 0:09:33.199 Dogs, every last one of them. I hope they die 0:09:33.240 --> 0:09:36.839 in the wilderness, abandoned by their god. 0:09:37.360 --> 0:09:43.360 You may be speaking prophetically, Lord Pharaoh. They've encamped at Suko. 0:09:43.960 --> 0:09:48.600 Our spies say they're following the red Sea coast by Pihirot, 0:09:49.120 --> 0:09:52.760 and the jagged coast is a foolish place to travel. 0:09:53.600 --> 0:09:58.720 If the gods recover from this madness, they will ensure 0:09:58.840 --> 0:10:01.560 the Hebrews meet an early grave. 0:10:02.120 --> 0:10:05.240 Do you mean to tell me the Israelites I'm taking 0:10:05.280 --> 0:10:08.000 the long route between the hills and the sea. 0:10:08.679 --> 0:10:10.600 Yes, Lord Pharaoh. 0:10:11.120 --> 0:10:14.480 They're scarrying into the narrows. This will only be a 0:10:14.480 --> 0:10:23.240 method of time before they're stuck, trapped like fish caught 0:10:23.320 --> 0:10:24.079 in a jetty. 0:10:24.960 --> 0:10:27.720 What are you thinking, my king? 0:10:28.800 --> 0:10:32.400 I'm thinking that we were foolish to let these slaves go. 0:10:33.520 --> 0:10:34.920 They were meant to beat. 0:10:34.720 --> 0:10:38.400 The bricks upon which I built the greatest dynasty this 0:10:38.640 --> 0:10:40.240 nation has seen. 0:10:41.840 --> 0:10:43.920 I was too swift to let them. 0:10:43.840 --> 0:10:49.400 Go, My king, Surely you don't mean to pursue them 0:10:50.320 --> 0:10:51.920 after all that's happened. 0:10:52.559 --> 0:10:57.640 But Pharaoh's eyes were already burning with renewed purpose. He 0:10:57.840 --> 0:11:02.400 was Pharaoh, the living and dament of Ra. No god 0:11:02.440 --> 0:11:06.800 of slaves would defy him and live to tell the tale. 0:11:07.200 --> 0:11:10.960 My forefathers all fought in the wars to expand this 0:11:11.320 --> 0:11:16.559 mighty kingdom. Some battles were won and some were lost. 0:11:17.440 --> 0:11:19.400 But the might of Rah. 0:11:19.000 --> 0:11:22.360 And the brightness of his sons never dulled. 0:11:23.520 --> 0:11:26.160 I am Pharaoh, the image of Ra. 0:11:27.600 --> 0:11:30.840 Their unnamed god may have bested me in a battle, 0:11:31.520 --> 0:11:37.200 but he will not win the war. Commander's cards ready, 0:11:37.280 --> 0:11:39.720 my best charioteers. 0:11:39.800 --> 0:11:43.559 The attendants and soldiers hiding in the throne room's shadows 0:11:43.800 --> 0:11:48.520 leaped into action. Pharaoh's orders sent ripples through the palace, 0:11:48.720 --> 0:11:52.120 and the sound of armor and weapons clashing filled the air. 0:11:53.040 --> 0:11:57.160 His eyes gleamed with dark excitement, his breath quickening like 0:11:57.240 --> 0:11:59.160 that of a predator about to strike. 0:12:00.200 --> 0:12:00.480 Lay. 0:12:00.600 --> 0:12:04.760 The six hundred chawes and chariots armed them with beards, 0:12:04.960 --> 0:12:06.160 bows and swords. 0:12:06.760 --> 0:12:08.200 Yes, Lord Pharaoh. 0:12:08.880 --> 0:12:11.479 That will not be best of my god of slaves. 0:12:12.600 --> 0:12:17.479 This will not be my legacy. I will return the Israelites, 0:12:18.120 --> 0:12:22.439 either bound in the rope or with their heads on bikes. 0:12:23.320 --> 0:12:28.360 The desert will drink their blood, and the name of 0:12:28.559 --> 0:12:34.960 Ramses will be feared for generations. 0:12:40.920 --> 0:12:45.520 Moses, Lord Moses Her tripped down the rocky hill and 0:12:45.640 --> 0:12:49.920 crashed onto the coarse, sandy ground. The young man stumbled 0:12:49.920 --> 0:12:52.960 forward and sprinted through the multitude of people to get 0:12:52.960 --> 0:12:57.040 to Moses. The people of Israel were marching the shores 0:12:57.080 --> 0:13:00.600 of pie Her High wrath Her was sent any to 0:13:00.640 --> 0:13:04.000 scope the planes ahead of them. Judging by the look 0:13:04.040 --> 0:13:06.800 on his face, he didn't like what he saw. 0:13:07.360 --> 0:13:09.520 Moses, it's the Egyptians. 0:13:09.520 --> 0:13:11.800 Pharaoh has gathered as chariots in pursuit of us. 0:13:12.080 --> 0:13:13.679 They're encamped on the other side. 0:13:13.520 --> 0:13:17.240 Of the canyon. Did you count the number of chariots hundreds, five, 0:13:17.400 --> 0:13:20.280 maybe six by my estimation, All seemed armed with an 0:13:20.360 --> 0:13:21.480 archer and charioteer. 0:13:22.160 --> 0:13:26.679 Aaron cried out in frustration. He pointed at Moses, and 0:13:26.760 --> 0:13:28.240 then at the Red Sea. 0:13:28.600 --> 0:13:31.080 I told you marching to the Red Sea was unwise, 0:13:31.120 --> 0:13:34.840 but you didn't listen. We are bottlenecked on the shore 0:13:34.880 --> 0:13:36.400 with no means of escaping. 0:13:36.920 --> 0:13:37.800 What are we going to do? 0:13:39.000 --> 0:13:43.800 Moses didn't match his brother's fear. He responded calmly and 0:13:43.880 --> 0:13:44.720 with assurance. 0:13:46.640 --> 0:13:49.559 We press on as plaire. Don't trouble the people by 0:13:49.559 --> 0:13:53.160 telling them about Pharaoh. He will not overtake this. 0:13:54.960 --> 0:13:58.440 Oss are tempting fate. If we turn back now, we 0:13:58.520 --> 0:13:59.880 may be able to beat him to the. 0:14:01.640 --> 0:14:03.240 We remain on our course. 0:14:04.360 --> 0:14:05.560 This is the will of the Lord. 0:14:06.440 --> 0:14:13.360 I you ah very well, Miriam. 0:14:14.000 --> 0:14:16.160 We make sure the women and children make their way 0:14:16.200 --> 0:14:19.680 to the front. Her join your mother and help her erin. 0:14:20.560 --> 0:14:21.720 Remain here with me. 0:14:23.360 --> 0:14:27.720 Moses turned to the canyon that separated the Pharaoh's encampment 0:14:28.000 --> 0:14:31.200 and the shoreline. There was a wide enough break for 0:14:31.360 --> 0:14:34.640 all of Pharaoh's armies to come and descend upon them. 0:14:35.000 --> 0:14:38.960 If Pharaoh marched soon, they would most certainly be trapped. 0:14:39.640 --> 0:14:43.400 Yet the words of the Lord echoed in Moses's mind. 0:14:44.520 --> 0:14:47.720 I will have my glory over Pharaoh. 0:14:48.200 --> 0:14:52.600 Moses held his staff tightly, his heart beat swiftly in 0:14:52.680 --> 0:14:56.960 his chest. He had seem too much to doubt God's power, 0:14:57.560 --> 0:15:00.480 But he was also just a man. He would be 0:15:00.520 --> 0:15:04.360 a fool to not fear six hundred chariots commanded by 0:15:04.400 --> 0:15:10.080 a mad king thirsty for his blood. The air inside 0:15:10.120 --> 0:15:13.960 Pharaoh's tent hung thick with the acrid scent of sweat 0:15:14.080 --> 0:15:18.320 and incense, swirling in the humid breeze that slipped through 0:15:18.360 --> 0:15:23.320 the parted flaps of rich linen. Outside the clamor of warriors, 0:15:23.360 --> 0:15:27.280 and the grating sound of grinding stone on bronze signaled 0:15:27.320 --> 0:15:32.240 a growing storm, an army coiled and tents ready to strike. 0:15:33.000 --> 0:15:36.680 But here in the inner sanctum of the pharaoh's command, 0:15:37.120 --> 0:15:39.200 all was focussed deadly. 0:15:39.280 --> 0:15:40.080 Calm. 0:15:40.760 --> 0:15:45.440 Ramses stood tall in the center, his bare chest gleaming 0:15:45.520 --> 0:15:50.720 under the soft flicker of lamplight. His skin, bronzed by 0:15:50.760 --> 0:15:54.320 the relentless sun of camet, glistened with the sheen of 0:15:54.440 --> 0:15:58.760 sacred oils applied moments before by a trio of servants, 0:15:59.080 --> 0:16:04.840 each moving with practiced reverence. Their hands trembled slightly as 0:16:04.880 --> 0:16:09.000 they slipped golden clasps over the fine linen kilt that 0:16:09.160 --> 0:16:13.600 hung at his waist, fastening it with intricate knots over 0:16:13.680 --> 0:16:18.680 his muscle torso. The ceremonial cirass of hammered bronze was 0:16:18.720 --> 0:16:20.160 being strapped into place. 0:16:20.600 --> 0:16:22.400 Clas them, what are you're done? 0:16:23.040 --> 0:16:24.360 The turning of the ages? 0:16:25.000 --> 0:16:27.240 What do you mean to let those dogs slip further 0:16:27.320 --> 0:16:30.160 into the midncks wad like an old gulf. 0:16:31.400 --> 0:16:35.360 The servants froze for a breath, afraid to move lest 0:16:35.360 --> 0:16:38.840 they incur the wrath that simmered beneath the Pharaoh's words. 0:16:39.480 --> 0:16:43.840 He scowled at their hesitation, his sharp eyes narrowing, and 0:16:43.920 --> 0:16:47.760 they scrambled to finish their work, buckling the last pieces 0:16:47.760 --> 0:16:52.800 of armor with haste. Pharaoh turned his rage, not yet spent. 0:16:53.520 --> 0:16:54.480 His hawk like. 0:16:54.640 --> 0:16:58.440 Gaze cut through the gathered captains of generals that lied 0:16:58.480 --> 0:17:03.280 the chamber, each armored embraced for his command. He towered 0:17:03.320 --> 0:17:06.840 over them, taller the first, his presence heavy with the 0:17:06.880 --> 0:17:11.320 weight of millennia of the bloodline of gods. In his hand, 0:17:11.600 --> 0:17:13.760 he clenched the crooked flail. 0:17:14.200 --> 0:17:20.720 Six hundred sis, six hundred of the finest, the fastest, 0:17:20.880 --> 0:17:29.440 the most ruthless, chosen from the best. I want them 0:17:29.640 --> 0:17:32.160 armed and ready. Within any hour. 0:17:32.680 --> 0:17:34.240 Will be done, Divine one. 0:17:34.840 --> 0:17:38.000 Your charioteers are the swiftest in all of Egypt. 0:17:38.840 --> 0:17:43.080 They will tear across the sands like a storm. 0:17:44.200 --> 0:17:46.720 They had better the. 0:17:46.760 --> 0:17:50.840 Hebrews flee while we idle here, And each moment they 0:17:50.960 --> 0:17:57.919 ran their insolence crows. I will see them brought back 0:17:58.040 --> 0:18:05.119 in chains or dead in the sand. Their bones will 0:18:05.200 --> 0:18:10.040 bleach under the sun, a warning to all who think 0:18:10.119 --> 0:18:12.439 they can defy a god's will. 0:18:14.080 --> 0:18:19.800 Pharaoh's eyes glinted like obsidian, dark and filled with bloodlust. 0:18:20.400 --> 0:18:22.719 I cannot bind them as slaves. 0:18:23.160 --> 0:18:24.720 I shall bury. 0:18:24.440 --> 0:18:26.040 Them beneath the dunes. 0:18:27.240 --> 0:18:30.920 No trace of their rebellion will remain. 0:18:32.040 --> 0:18:36.199 The captain bowed once more, withdrawing, as Pharaoh turned his 0:18:36.320 --> 0:18:40.640 gaze toward the open tent flap beyond it, the sounds 0:18:40.680 --> 0:18:45.639 of soldiers preparing for war rumbled like distant thunder, the 0:18:45.680 --> 0:18:49.920 grinding of chariot wheels, the clatter of spears and shields, 0:18:50.119 --> 0:18:53.760 and the guttural chants of war songs rising into the 0:18:53.880 --> 0:18:58.359 night air. Pharaoh's hands clenched around the crooke and flail, 0:18:58.640 --> 0:19:02.000 the wood creaking under the force of his grip. His 0:19:02.240 --> 0:19:06.600 thoughts burnt hotter than the midday sun, swirling with visions 0:19:06.600 --> 0:19:09.520 of punishment, of retribution. 0:19:09.520 --> 0:19:14.200 By ras placing lights, I will crush their god and 0:19:14.280 --> 0:19:19.000 the rebel crophet. Moses, fetch my watch chariot. I will 0:19:19.080 --> 0:19:20.760 ride at the head of the army. 0:19:20.920 --> 0:19:25.919 Rameses stalked across the encampment, each step heavy with intent, 0:19:26.400 --> 0:19:30.000 eyes gleaming under the golden asp of his war crown. 0:19:30.600 --> 0:19:34.120 He mounted his chariot and shouted back to the men 0:19:34.200 --> 0:19:34.880 behind him. 0:19:35.600 --> 0:19:41.199 We ride to retrieve what is ours. And if we 0:19:41.520 --> 0:19:45.280 find them on the edge of the Red Sea, let 0:19:45.440 --> 0:19:47.440 them pray to their god. 0:19:48.400 --> 0:19:49.800 It will do them no good. 0:19:50.640 --> 0:19:53.120 When we have them trapped between our. 0:19:53.040 --> 0:19:59.560 Chariots and the abyss, none shall save them from my wrath. 0:20:00.600 --> 0:20:04.680 They will know that I am fair. 0:20:06.680 --> 0:20:12.840 Thunder clapped behind Pharaoh. He turned, seeing the heavens churning above. 0:20:13.640 --> 0:20:17.640 In its rumbling, Pharaoh could feel the God of Israel 0:20:17.800 --> 0:20:22.240 challenging him, beckoning him for one final battle. 0:20:32.880 --> 0:20:37.000 What an astonishing tale, the clash of chariots, the cries 0:20:37.040 --> 0:20:39.919 of a people caught between a relentless sea and a 0:20:39.960 --> 0:20:44.840 pursuing army. My heart raised with the footsteps of my ancestors, 0:20:45.000 --> 0:20:49.240 fleeing bondage and cornered by what seemed an inevitable fate. 0:20:49.880 --> 0:20:53.200 It's a reminder of the impossible situations that we face 0:20:53.720 --> 0:20:58.040 and the unexpected ways in which God intervenes. I'm left 0:20:58.080 --> 0:21:00.560 in awe the might of our God, God, who can 0:21:00.600 --> 0:21:04.440 cause the sea to split and turn despair into deliverance. 0:21:04.800 --> 0:21:07.280 And I'm left with the deep gratitude for the faith 0:21:07.440 --> 0:21:11.440 of the chosen people who trusted in God's promise even 0:21:11.480 --> 0:21:16.000 when faced with the impossible. And facing the impossible, the 0:21:16.000 --> 0:21:19.480 moment of truth was upon Moses and the Israelites. The 0:21:19.600 --> 0:21:22.359 entire Egyptian army was about to overtake them, and the 0:21:22.400 --> 0:21:26.040 sea lay in front of them. Moses began to pray. 0:21:26.720 --> 0:21:31.280 But then in verse fifteen, something strange takes place. It 0:21:31.440 --> 0:21:35.120 reads quote then the Lord said to Moses, why are 0:21:35.160 --> 0:21:38.240 you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on? 0:21:39.200 --> 0:21:43.359 What did God mean by move on? A deep blue 0:21:43.400 --> 0:21:47.280 sea stretched out in front of the Israelites. The Great 0:21:47.320 --> 0:21:52.640 Bible commentator Rashi gives two possible explanations. The first, God 0:21:52.680 --> 0:21:56.040 is saying, Moses, this is no time for lengthy prayer 0:21:56.200 --> 0:21:58.919 when the Israelites are in deep trouble. Let them just 0:21:58.960 --> 0:22:01.120 move forward. I'll take care of the rest. 0:22:01.720 --> 0:22:02.160 Okay. 0:22:02.600 --> 0:22:05.240 That's the first explanation of this strange verse, and it 0:22:05.280 --> 0:22:08.560 makes sense. But here's the second. It says that God 0:22:08.640 --> 0:22:11.399 is asking Moses, why are you crying out to me? 0:22:12.280 --> 0:22:15.000 It's not up to me, it's up to them. It's 0:22:15.040 --> 0:22:18.560 up to the people of Israel. Just get them moving. 0:22:19.600 --> 0:22:23.840 The lesson really is the same with both explanations, and 0:22:23.880 --> 0:22:27.879 that is that, yes, there is a time for prayer, indeed, 0:22:28.359 --> 0:22:31.440 but there's also a time for action. God is saying 0:22:31.760 --> 0:22:35.560 it's up to us, and of course when we act, 0:22:36.040 --> 0:22:40.040 God listens to us. Of course, when we act, God 0:22:40.119 --> 0:22:44.320 helps us, and of course God will save us. But 0:22:44.359 --> 0:22:48.760 first we must act in order that God can do that. 0:22:49.520 --> 0:22:52.040 My friends, the short little verse has helped me so 0:22:52.119 --> 0:22:55.040 many times during my life. Whenever I found a deep 0:22:55.200 --> 0:22:57.760 threatening sea in front of me, I always say, what 0:22:57.880 --> 0:23:01.840 can I do? And of course I pray, But what 0:23:01.960 --> 0:23:06.800 I learned from this verse is that I also must act. 0:23:07.320 --> 0:23:10.159 We can't pray and expect God to do miracles if 0:23:10.200 --> 0:23:13.239 we're not even willing to take the first, bold and 0:23:13.320 --> 0:23:17.840 brave step. It reminds me of this. When my Abba, 0:23:18.080 --> 0:23:21.880 my father, Rabbechel Eckstein, suddenly passed away, was the hardest 0:23:21.920 --> 0:23:25.240 time of my life, and I prayed so hard to 0:23:25.359 --> 0:23:29.399 God for comfort, and I prayed for strength. But I 0:23:29.440 --> 0:23:33.240 also found myself thrust into leading the fellowship on having 0:23:33.280 --> 0:23:36.840 the millions of people in need who depend on our 0:23:37.080 --> 0:23:41.919 aid now depending on me. And so yes I prayed, 0:23:42.080 --> 0:23:45.000 and yes, I remembered that it was only through God's 0:23:45.320 --> 0:23:48.520 help that I would be able to lead the fellowship 0:23:48.600 --> 0:23:50.560 to help even more needy people. 0:23:51.240 --> 0:23:52.119 But I also. 0:23:51.920 --> 0:23:55.000 Recognize that God called me not just to pray, but 0:23:55.080 --> 0:23:58.920 to act. I heard God saying, yell, I will lead 0:23:59.000 --> 0:24:02.399 your footsteps, but you have to walk them. I heard 0:24:02.480 --> 0:24:05.639 God saying, I will bless this ministry, but you have 0:24:05.760 --> 0:24:10.959 to lead it. And so I acted. I took brave, 0:24:11.200 --> 0:24:14.879 bold steps that were very very hard in leading the 0:24:14.960 --> 0:24:19.680 fellowship immediately after my father died. And then I saw 0:24:19.880 --> 0:24:24.560 very clearly that God blessed me, that God blessed this ministry, 0:24:24.920 --> 0:24:28.800 that God blessed the actions that I was willing to take. 0:24:29.840 --> 0:24:31.240 And I look around and I see that this is 0:24:31.280 --> 0:24:33.679 still true now for the Chosen people here in the 0:24:33.680 --> 0:24:37.159 Holy Land of Israel, as we face so many enemies 0:24:37.160 --> 0:24:40.600 who want to destroy us. Of course we pray to 0:24:40.640 --> 0:24:43.840 God for help. We need his help. Nothing we do 0:24:43.880 --> 0:24:48.480 will succeed unless we help. But praise God, he has 0:24:48.520 --> 0:24:52.480 blessed us with a strong nation, a strong military, so 0:24:52.520 --> 0:24:57.000 that we can obey God's command in this special verse, 0:24:57.080 --> 0:25:02.080 that we can move on as Israeli soldiers would go 0:25:02.240 --> 0:25:05.919 into Gaza or go into Lebanon to face head on 0:25:06.080 --> 0:25:08.800 the threats that were trying to destroy Israel and the 0:25:08.840 --> 0:25:14.200 Jewish people. Before they went into the enemy territory, every 0:25:14.280 --> 0:25:19.320 single soldier would get together and pray for God's deliverance 0:25:19.359 --> 0:25:22.240 and blessing. Before they went in. They would stand in 0:25:22.280 --> 0:25:26.160 a circle, arms around one another and pray for God's mercy. 0:25:27.119 --> 0:25:32.280 But then they moved on. They went into enemy territory 0:25:32.440 --> 0:25:38.320 and bravely faced Israel's enemy face to face, making sure 0:25:38.640 --> 0:25:43.239 that they eliminated any threat to God's chosen people. Now, 0:25:43.320 --> 0:25:47.159 let's talk about Pharaoh's stubbornness. Proverbs twenty nine one says 0:25:47.359 --> 0:25:51.320 whoever remained stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be 0:25:51.480 --> 0:25:56.840 destroyed without remedy. Now that certainly describes Pharaoh, doesn't it. 0:25:57.600 --> 0:26:01.480 Time and time again, God gave Pharaoh another chance. He 0:26:01.600 --> 0:26:05.160 sent warnings and plagues, and even struck the firstborn children 0:26:05.200 --> 0:26:07.800 of his nation. You would think that Pharaoh would have 0:26:07.880 --> 0:26:12.159 learned from the carcasses of dead frogs, destroyed monuments, and 0:26:12.200 --> 0:26:17.000 weeping families. But Pharaoh stiffened his neck. He refused to 0:26:17.080 --> 0:26:21.439 be corrected, and in his pride, Pharaoh pressed deeper and 0:26:21.520 --> 0:26:26.520 deeper into his stand against God. You see, when our 0:26:26.560 --> 0:26:29.960 wills clash with gods, we're going to lose one hundred 0:26:30.000 --> 0:26:34.960 percent of the time. God's will always wins. But Pharaoh 0:26:35.040 --> 0:26:38.119 was still caught in this delusion that he was somehow 0:26:38.119 --> 0:26:41.960 a match for the God of all creation. Pride can 0:26:42.000 --> 0:26:45.080 be pretty blind, and can't it When we are so 0:26:45.200 --> 0:26:49.200 convinced that we are right, we invite disaster into our lives, 0:26:49.680 --> 0:26:53.400 our relationships, our hearts. How often do we all, when 0:26:53.400 --> 0:26:57.880