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Returning to God · The Chosen People

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People. Jerusalem, once called the city
• 0:06
  Speaker 1: of the great king, now lay bare like bones beneath
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  Speaker 1: the evening sky.
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  Speaker 2: You see, Lord. You see it all. This city bears
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  Speaker 2: your name. Restore her for your glory. Weeks passed. The
• 0:26
  Speaker 2: wall grew higher, stronger.
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  Speaker 1: But so did the threats.
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  Speaker 3: But we do not retreat. We do not pause. We prepare.
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  Speaker 1: Voices, angry and weary, rose from the streets of Jerusalem.
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  Speaker 1: No sound of clanging stone or rhythm of chisels. Only
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  Speaker 1: cries of injustice and of desperation.
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  Speaker 3: We're starving, Nehemiah. And who profits from our suffering? Our
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  Speaker 3: own brothers suffer.
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  Speaker 2: O Lord, how can we build walls of stone while
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  Speaker 2: tearing each other apart from within?
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  Speaker 1: Jerusalem had risen, not by strength alone, but through the quiet,
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  Speaker 1: steady faithfulness of one who chose obedience over fear, sacrifice
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  Speaker 1: over comfort, and service over power. The gentle rustling of
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  Speaker 1: parchment filled the quiet chamber, bathed softly in the morning's
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  Speaker 1: muted glow. Nehemiah sat at a small wooden table, fingers
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  Speaker 1: carefully tracing over scrolls detailing the names of families, priests
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  Speaker 1: and Levites who had returned from exile. His brow furrowed
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  Speaker 1: with concentration, eyes reflecting the weight of responsibility. resting on
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  Speaker 1: his heart. Hanani stepped softly into the room, careful not
• 2:01
  Speaker 1: to disturb his brother's deep contemplation. Nehemiah's eyes lifted slowly
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  Speaker 1: from the scroll.
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  Speaker 3: These names, Hanani, they're more than ink on parchment. They're stories, families, legacies,
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  Speaker 3: lives once scattered, now restored.
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  Speaker 1: Hanani nodded thoughtfully, studying Nehemiah's serious demeanor.
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  Speaker 3: And yet, brother, walls and gates alone do not rebuild
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  Speaker 3: a nation. Exactly. The city stands secure. But now we
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  Speaker 3: must restore the hearts of the people to their god.
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  Speaker 1: Nehemiah rose slowly, determination brightening his tired eyes as he
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  Speaker 1: gathered the scrolls and pressed them into his brother's hands.
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  Speaker 3: Call Ezra. It's time for people to hear clearly from
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  Speaker 3: God's word again.
• 2:55
  Speaker 1: Days later, dawn spilled golden warmth over the crowded square
• 3:01
  Speaker 1: by Jerusalem's water gate. The people gathered, whispering with anticipation,
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  Speaker 1: pressing forward as Ezra ascended the wooden platform built for
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  Speaker 1: the occasion. At his appearance, the murmurs hushed, giving way
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  Speaker 1: to reverent silence. Ezra carefully unrolled the ancient scroll. His
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  Speaker 1: voice rang clear and solemn, carrying across the square.
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  Speaker 4: Blessed be the Lord, the great God.
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  Speaker 1: At once, a unified chorus rose from the multitude. Their
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  Speaker 1: voices lifted together like a stampede, quaking the earth beneath them.
• 3:43
  Speaker 1: Ezra began reading from the lore, words flowing like streams
• 3:48
  Speaker 1: into the thirsty hearts below. Faces that first shone with
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  Speaker 1: curiosity soon grew somber, reflecting the deep conviction piercing their souls.
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  Speaker 1: Tears gathered as recognition of their failings welled within them.
• 4:06
  Speaker 1: A woman held her children close, softly weeping. Men bowed
• 4:11
  Speaker 1: their heads low, their strong shoulders trembling. The entire congregation
• 4:18
  Speaker 1: felt the heavy weight of truth settling upon their spirits. Nehemiah,
• 4:23
  Speaker 1: watching from the side, was moved deeply. He stepped forward
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  Speaker 1: beside Ezra, raising a gentle hand to quiet the rising sobs.
• 4:34
  Speaker 3: Do not grieve, my people. Today is holy to our Lord. Rejoice,
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  Speaker 3: for your understanding is a sign of His mercy.
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  Speaker 1: He smiled warmly, lifting his voice with renewed vigor.
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  Speaker 3: Go, enjoy choice food and sweet drink, and send some
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  Speaker 3: to those who have nothing prepared. Do not mourn, for
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  Speaker 3: the joy of the Lord is your strength.
• 5:01
  Speaker 1: A gradual transformation washed over the crowd. Sorrow gave way
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  Speaker 1: to quiet joy. Tears turned into relieved smiles. Laughter softly
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  Speaker 1: returned as families embraced, hearts uplifted by forgiveness and mercy.
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  Speaker 1: In the following days, Jerusalem's streets filled with vibrant life
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  Speaker 1: as booths made of branches sprang up across every square
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  Speaker 1: and courtyard. It was the Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration
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  Speaker 1: that had been neglected for generations. now returning with joyous intensity.
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  Speaker 1: The air was rich with laughter, song, and the savory
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  Speaker 1: aroma of roasting meats and fresh bread. Families gathered closely
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  Speaker 1: under temporary shelters, recalling stories of God's deliverance. Children dashed
• 6:01
  Speaker 1: through the streets, their joyous cries mingling with prayers of thanksgiving.
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  Speaker 1: Elders sat by fires, recounting memories of past celebrations to
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  Speaker 1: those hearing it for the first time. Nehemiah moved among them,
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  Speaker 1: heart swelling with quiet satisfaction. Hanani approached, his face beaming.
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  Speaker 3: Look around, brother. Has Jerusalem ever felt so alive?
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  Speaker 1: Nehemiah lifted his eyes, but his gaze passed quickly from
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  Speaker 1: the earth to the heavens above.
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  Speaker 3: Alive because they've remembered the God who breathes life.
• 6:41
  Speaker 1: Nehemiah paused, watching families share meals beneath leafy canopies, their
• 6:48
  Speaker 1: joy evident. Yet beneath his gentle smile lay a deeper prayer.
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  Speaker 3: Let this revival linger, Lord. Let it reshape us permanently.
• 7:01
  Speaker 1: Days of celebration culminated in an assembly marked by humility
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  Speaker 1: and reverence. Jerusalem streets filled once more under a sobering atmosphere.
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  Speaker 1: The joyful garments were exchanged for rough sackcloth. The air
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  Speaker 1: was thick with solemn reflection. Ash-covered heads bowed low as
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  Speaker 1: the people collectively confessed their sins. Ezra stepped forward again
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  Speaker 1: voice steady but tender.
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  Speaker 4: We stand before you, God, acknowledging our disobedience. Yet you
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  Speaker 4: remain faithful even in our wandering.
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  Speaker 1: The Levites' voices carried earnestly on the coattails of Ezra's.
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  Speaker 4: You alone are God, creator of heaven and earth. You guided, disciplined,
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  Speaker 4: and restored us.
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  Speaker 3: Forgive us once more. We return again.
• 8:03
  Speaker 1: Nehemiah's heart filled with awe at the sincerity of repentance.
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  Speaker 1: He moved forward, speaking firmly yet gently.
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  Speaker 3: Let us make this day a solemn promise before our God.
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  Speaker 3: We will no longer drift or compromise. We will cling
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  Speaker 3: to his commands.
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  Speaker 1: Nehemiah stepped back. watching elders and families step forward, eagerly
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  Speaker 1: sealing their vows on parchment. A tangible sense of unity
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  Speaker 1: and purpose swept through the assembly, binding hearts together in
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  Speaker 1: sacred resolve. Evening descended softly, stars shimmering overhead, illuminating a
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  Speaker 1: city transformed. Nehemiah stood alone atop Jerusalem's walls, reflecting on
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  Speaker 1: all he had witnessed. The city now stood strong, not
• 9:03
  Speaker 1: merely in stone and timber, but in the renewed faithfulness
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  Speaker 1: of its people. Footsteps approached quietly. Ezra stood beside him,
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  Speaker 1: eyes serene yet deeply moved.
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  Speaker 4: What began with bricks and mortar... has become something far greater.
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  Speaker 4: See what our Lord has done.
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  Speaker 1: Nehemiah pursed his lips as he lay a rugged hand
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  Speaker 1: on Ezra.
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  Speaker 3: A real strength isn't in walls, Ezra. It's in hearts
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  Speaker 3: surrendered to God. For every brick the Lord has raised
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  Speaker 3: to build this wall, he has stripped away hardened hearts
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  Speaker 3: that once separated a nation from her Lord.
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  Speaker 1: Ezra smiled gently, nodding slowly. Eyes closed, he rubbed his
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  Speaker 1: hands together slowly, their coarseness speaking to years of a
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  Speaker 1: faith lived out.
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  Speaker 4: May we always remember this tradition.
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  Speaker 1: Nehemiah looked up to the heavens, his voice gentle and reflective.
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  Speaker 3: Remember us, O God. Preserve this moment. Keep our hearts faithful.
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  Speaker 1: Silence settled comfortably around them, filled with quiet certainty. From
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  Speaker 1: below rose soft sounds of worship and fellowship, affirming Nehemiah's prayer.
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  Speaker 1: Jerusalem stood complete, renewed and restored, not merely by human hands,
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  Speaker 1: but by the grace and mercy of the one who
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  Speaker 1: held them all together. Nehemiah breathed a quiet prayer of gratitude.
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  Speaker 1: knowing Jerusalem's revival had begun not in the laying of stones,
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  Speaker 1: but in hearts returning fully to God.
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  Speaker 3: May this revival last through every generation, Lord. Let your
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  Speaker 3: city be a beacon, reminding all nations that your mercy
• 11:02
  Speaker 3: endures forever.
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  Speaker 1: As stars sparkled gently in the darkness, Jerusalem rested secure,
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  Speaker 1: anchored firmly, not by wars alone, but by a steadfast,
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  Speaker 1: renewed devotion that bound every heart to the unchanging faithfulness
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  Speaker 1: of their God. This PrayDogCon production is only made possible
• 11:33
  Speaker 1: by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gatina, Max Bard,
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  Speaker 1: Zach Schelleberger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of
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  Speaker 1: The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced
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  Speaker 1: by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald,
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  Speaker 1: Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Lashinsky.
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  Speaker 1: Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Brie
• 12:03
  Speaker 1: Rosely and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey.com productions
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  Speaker 1: on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store
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  Speaker 1: and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People,
• 12:14
  Speaker 1: please rate and leave a review.