December 12, 2025 • 27 mins
# 64 - The Midwive's Rebellion - In this episode of The Chosen People, two courageous midwives defy an empire, choosing to fear God above all. Discover the powerful story of faith, resistance, and the enduring promise of life over death in this week’s episode.
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Episode 64 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Exodus.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 27:1, "The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the chosen people. Guided by the hand of
their brother Joseph, a man of dreams and visions, the
families of Israel found sanctuary in the region of Goshen.
There on the fringes of Egyptian grandeur, they multiplied.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
These Hebrews are contributing nothing and taking everything. They grow
crops on my land, heard on my hills, and drink
from my rivers, And what do I get in return?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Nothing?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Even worse, they are so great in number that they
can be trusted.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
If our enemies choosed to invade.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
What's to stop them from joining their side?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
What are your commands, Lord Pharaoh?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
The Israelites are no longer guests in my land. From
this day forth, they shall be bricks laid at the
foundation of my empire.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
The soldiers marched into Goshen, their armor clinking with the
cold efficiency of death. They claimed the fields, drove the
herds into Pharaoh's barns, and stripped the people of their tools.
Egyptian commanders were appointed over the Hebrews, each flanked by
battalions of soldiers, eager to enforce their lord's decree, And
(01:24):
so the children of Israel were bound in chains, their
lives consumed by the relentless toil of Pharaoh's ambitions. Day
after day, the sun rose and set, casting its unforgiving
light upon a land where time itself seemed to stretch
into eternity. Under the lash. Beneath the weight of stones
(01:47):
and mortar, the people of Israel cried out to the
God of their fathers.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
Ah, deliver us, rescue your people.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Blood tears and broken prayers dripped onto the Egyptian sands.
The Hebrews, once free, now lived under the crushing yoke
of bondage, their memories of liberty fading like distant echoes.
The generations that had known life outside the chains of
(02:28):
servitude were gone, and in their place remained a people
born to the lash, acquainted only with despair. They no
longer prayed as their ancestors had. Their prayers were brittle,
spoken to a god who seemed more myth than reality.
The God of Abraham was a faint echo passed down
(02:52):
through generations. The elders held tightly to his memory, but
with each generation, and the only God they knew now
was Pharaoh, an ever present force, his wrath burning upon
their backs like the relentless desert sun. His taskmasters were
(03:13):
his priests, and the backs of the Hebrews were the
altars upon which blood and flesh were sacrificed daily. Yet
within them a spark still smoldered, a remnant of their forefather, Jacob,
a sliver of hope that refused to be extinguished. In
their despair, they multiplied, they loved, they laughed, They clung
(03:37):
to each other in the face of overwhelming ants. Their
shared commitment to one another whispered prayers to the God
of Jacob amidst the beatings was their only weapon, their
quiet rebellion. But this strength made them a threat the
cruel pharaoh who enslaved them. Rameses the first had passed.
(04:00):
The Israelite scars told the tale of his legacy, a
legacy of brutality, conquest, and oppression. His son SETI took
his place. Both drank from the same well of hatred
and pride as their forebears. Their first for power was insatiable,
(04:21):
and their knights were haunted by visions of revolt.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
These Hebrews are like rats breeding in the shadows. They
already outnumber my soldiers. We must cut the Hebrews off
before they become unmanageable.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
Shall we execute some of the men, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Don't be so foolish and short sighted. Those men lay
my bricks and hoist the statues of my greatness. I
need their arms and legs. No, we need to cut
them off for a generation, starve their multiplication. Yes, we
(05:15):
must take the children. How shall we proceed, Bring me
the midwives, the women who aid the mothers in labor
at once.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Yes, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
The air was pierced by the cries of a woman
in labor. Her breath ragged as she fall through the pain.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
That's right, my dear, keep breathing, Do not push, and
do not fight, Just breathe.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Shiphra sat on her birthstool, gently coaching a young woman
through labor. Her tone was steady, gentle, and comforting. She
guided the mother to be through every step and position.
Speaker 6 (06:01):
Lay on your side, now, my dear, Shifra.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Was a master at her craft. Midwives were revered pillars
among the Israelites. They were steady guides, bringing babies from
the womb into the world and mothers from maidenhood to motherhood. She,
like few others, truly feared God most High, her faith
as unshakable as the earth beneath her feet. With each birth,
(06:27):
each cry of a newborn, and each silence of a
child lost, Shifra drew closer to the heart of the creator.
Shifra gripped the woman's legs and spoke with a firm,
steady voice.
Speaker 6 (06:40):
Now as the time, my dear, do not hold back.
You must push. Now let's meet your child.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
The young mother did as she was told, her face
contorted with pain and determination. The woman pressed her legs
against Shefra's hands and pushed. Her labored sighs gave way
to shouts of brief pain. The woman's screams filled the room,
raw and powerful, until finally the child emerged into shef
(07:08):
for his waiting hands.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
A strong healthy boy, My dear, your husband will be
so proud.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
A cry pierced the air. A strong, healthy boy. She
immediately placed him on his mother's chest.
Speaker 6 (07:23):
May God most I bless you and your child. My dear,
there is no greater joy and pain than being a mother.
It hurts you now, but the real soreness comes later
when he is no longer suckling and is off to
the quarry. Enjoy these moments, my dear, savor them, as
Sarah savored Isaac long ago, for every child is a miracle,
(07:45):
not just the ones born to the matriarchs.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
The ordeal over. She first set to work, cleaning up
boiling water for a warm pad and tea. She moved
with a practiced grace, her hands never faltering as she
stirred the leaves, letting the fragrant steam rise. She soaked
cloths in hot water, pressing them gently against the mother's abdomen,
(08:10):
and brought a cup of tea to the woman's lips.
Sifra left the tent with her birthstool. The moon hung low,
shrouded by a haze of dust and smoke. The paths
she walked were jagged, ill, kept a reflection of the
broken lives lived by those who walked them. After a
(08:33):
day of hauling stones and paving roads for Pharaoh, nothing
was left for the Hebrews. In Goshen, Sifra watched as
men returned from their labor, their bodies battered, their spirits bruised.
They steeled themselves before entering their homes, hiding their despair
from their children, their pain from their wives. Schifra's heart
(08:58):
ached as she watched them, remembering each of them as
babes cradled in their mother's arms, full of life and promise.
Now they were shadows of men, their backs bent, their
faces hard, trudging forward like beasts of burden. Shifra made
it to her home, which she shared with the other midwives.
(09:21):
She entered with worry creased on her brow, reclining at
a table weaving a basket with her coarse hands.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Was poor.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
She was ten years Sheifra's junior, but just as respected.
Sensing Sheifra's weariness, Pooa stood and took the birthstool from her.
She poured a cup and placed it in Sheifra's hands.
Speaker 7 (09:44):
Did Ziva have her child?
Speaker 6 (09:47):
Yes, a strong little boy with a head fat enough
to split the nile. For a moment, I was worried
about that poor girl. But she did it. She was
a strong one, steady till the end.
Speaker 7 (09:58):
Oh, another boy, another back for Pharaoh's whips.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
As I walked back and saw all the men coming home,
memories of them as babes flashed before my eyes.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
Yes, but for all their suffering, they still fall in
love and have children. They still laugh and forget their
troubles for moments long enough to make love and bring
forth a new generation. The cycle repeats again and again.
Even in despair, moments of love sustain us. This is
the way of our people.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
They sat in silence, letting the weight of the day
settle around them, until a loud knock shattered the quiet.
She for his blood, ran cold. She knew that knock
the same brutal pounding that had preceded the seizure of
her husband and son, taken to serve Pharaoh's army, and
never returned.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Probing up slaves, Ready yourself, my dear.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
She opened the door and immediately was flung wide. Three
palace guards storming inside. One seized Shifra by the arm,
another advanced on pooris. They knew better than to resist,
remaining silent and submissive as they were dragged away. Shifra
had heard stories about the great city of Pharaoh, but
(11:19):
none could properly prepare her for its grandeur. Compared to
the slums of Goshen, the cities surrounding the palace seemed
like another world. They were escorted through the bustling streets
of thieves. The crowded markets were filled with the sounds
of merchants walking their wares and the clatter of donkey carts.
(11:40):
Merchants and nobles reclined at tables with cups in hand.
Music played in the streets, adding to the incessant and
never ending noise. The palace loomed ahead, its walls high
in imposing, adorned with banners and emblems representing the might
of Pharaoh. Entering the palace grounds, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
(12:04):
The city's noise gave way to an almost reverent silence,
broken only by the murmurs of priests and the soft
footsteps of servants. The floors beneath their feet were smooth,
polished stone, cool to the touch and gleaming under the
flickering light of oil lamps. The architecture was awe inspiring,
(12:26):
with tall columns carved to resemble lotus flowers and papyrus plants,
symbolizing the eternal life of Pharaoh's kingdom.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
The air was thick with the.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Scent of incense and a heady mixture of myrrh, frank incense,
and other exotic spices meant to purify and sanctify the space.
The palace walls, built of limestone, were adorned with intricate
carvings and hieroglyphics, each telling stories of gods, kings, and conquests.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
When Pharaoh addresses you keep your eyes on the floor.
Only Egyptians can gaze at the sun and live.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
I cannot tell if he's breathing a threat or explaining
a fact.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
The opulence became even more overwhelming as they were brought
deeper into the palace. The walls were painted in vibrant colors,
depicting scenes of gods and pharaohs triumphing over enemies, with
gold and lapis lazuli inlays catching the light. The air
was cool there, protected from the heat by thick stone
(13:33):
walls and high ceilings. They passed through gardens filled with
lush greenery, rare flowers, and fountains, all meticulously maintained, creating
an oasis of tranquility. Yet Shifra and Poor were far
from tranquil.
Speaker 7 (13:50):
What could Pharaoh possibly want with us?
Speaker 6 (13:52):
We wouldn't be summoneer in such a manner for something good.
He is going to demand something of us.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Finally, Shifra and Pua were led into the throne room.
It was vast, with a high ceiling supported by massive columns,
each painted with images of the gods. The throne was
a masterpiece of craftsmanship, inlaid with precious stones and gold,
flanked by statues of falcons and sphinxes, symbols of the
(14:22):
pharaoh's divine authority. Then they saw him, Pharaoh's SETI, seated
on this throne as a figure of almost other worldly presents.
His shaved head wore a head dress adorned with sapphires.
His bare chest bore golden wings, in his hands with
(14:43):
a crook and flail, symbols of his rule over Upper
and Lower Egypt. His gaze was stern and penetrating, and
the weight of his authority was palpable, filling the room
with an almost tangible sense of power. The midwives were
brought forward, their movements closely monitored by the guards and courtiers.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Meal before the image of raw the Lord of the Nile,
the morning and evening star Hail Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Sheifra and Poor kept their heads low and their gaze
fixed on the door. The tension in the room was
thick as they awaited the pharaoh's words. The women were
acutely aware that their lives were entirely in the hands
of this living god. Any slight misstep could lead to
severe punishment.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
You are the midwives who aid the Hebrew women in labor.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
Yes, yes, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Then you know where and have more witness to the
rapid multiplication of your people. You are breeding like rats
on the ground. I shall have an end to it.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
The women were silent, knowing better than to ask questions
or reply with a comment.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I have brought you here instead of sending an envoy
to communicate the severity by which I give my command.
When you are on the birth stool and you see
a son born to a Hebrew woman, you shall kill
(16:26):
him without a second thought. If it is a daughter,
then the baby shall live. This is the decree of Pharaoh,
the image of a Rah, the Lord of the Nile,
the morning and evening star.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Poor tensed her entire body. She for could tell she
was about to speak, so she grabbed her forearm and squeezed,
wanting to silence Poor before she had a chance to speak.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
These are the commands you are to relay to the
other midwives. I want the streets painted red with the
blood of the Hebrew rats. Am I understood.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
It took everything in Sifra to open her jaw and
breathe out a.
Speaker 6 (17:18):
Reply, yes, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Poora's eyes darted sideways to Shifra. She returned her gaze
with an intense stare to remind her of where they
were and who they were speaking to.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Now leave me.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
The women were roughly escorted out and thrown into the
streets of thieves, forced to find their way back to
Goshen on their own. The second the gods were gone,
poor lashed out at Shifra.
Speaker 7 (17:47):
How could you agree to such a hideous thing, Schiffra, be.
Speaker 6 (17:51):
Quite prop Come with me.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
The two women wove through the busy streets and tucked
themselves into the shadows of an anyway. The slight flickering
of nearby torches illuminated Sheafer's intense theare.
Speaker 6 (18:04):
Do you really think I'd kill those babes? Do you?
Defying Pharaoh would have led to our deaths. Then he
would recruit other midwives and threaten them. If they refused,
then he would rifle through all of them until he
found someone willing to agree. We had to say yes,
no choice. Does that mean will do what he's asked?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Of course not.
Speaker 6 (18:29):
I fear God most High more than Pharaoh. It would
be his children slain on those birthing stools. I will
play no part in it.
Speaker 7 (18:38):
You speak the truth. But what are we to do
with these commands? Pharaoh will know if we have disobeyed him.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
We tell him that Hebrew women are stronger than the
Egyptians and are giving birth before we have a chance
to attend them. It's only a half lie.
Speaker 7 (18:55):
We must tell every woman under our care to hide
their children from the taskmasters and guard.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Yes, good, my dear.
Speaker 7 (19:02):
Shifra, I fear this is only the beginning of Pharaoh's cruelty.
We must prepare the rest of our people for what's
to come.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
The clouds hovered low Overgoshin, as if to shield the
Hebrew women from Pharaoh's high gaze. Shifra Boa and the
other midwives operated by night, stealthily helping each mother through birth.
They sent messengers to each household when a baby was
expected to be born. That signaled the older children to
(19:31):
start a commotion on the opposite side of town to
distract Pharaoh's guards, allowing the women to give birth without
fear of being heard. Months of this past, and newborn
boys were kept safe. God blessed the other midwives and
gave them favor. He gave them children of their own
and kept them safe. The Hebrews continued to multiply and thrive.
(19:55):
The whips of Pharaoh wouldn't remove their hope. His cruel
dec wouldn't quell their love. The children lived and grew strong. However,
their defiance wouldn't go unnoticed for long. Pharaoh didn't forget
his decree, and knew that Goshen's silence was deafening to
their guilt. He sent for Shifra and Poor again. This
(20:19):
time they were taken violently and thrown onto the palace floors.
Pharaoh's rage was a living thing, coiled and ready to strike.
He gripped his scepter, pointing it directly at them, his
voice trembling with fury.
Speaker 8 (20:35):
Did you think your defiance would escape my eye? I
am Sarah. I alone can awaken the eye of horace.
Nothing passes from my gaze. Why have you let these
children live?
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Answer me?
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Poor began to speak, but she first stopped her. She
was the elder. If anyone would receive the ire of Pharaoh,
it would be her. It was her joy to risk
her life for the children's.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
Sake, Lord Pharaoh. Truly nothing escapes your eye However, we
are not blessed with such a sight ourselves. These hebrew
women are not like the Egyptians. The Egyptian women give
birth on silken sheets. You have rituals and ceremonies that
hearken to the arrival of each child. Yet these Hebrews
(21:31):
are vigorous. They are able to give birth while working
the fields or stirring a pot of stew. Once whispers
of your decree surfaced, they've been giving birth before we
have a chance to attend to them.
Speaker 1 (21:45):
Pharaoh took a step down from his throne, and though
Sheiphra dared not look up, she could feel his presence
looming over her. Each step he took was like a
hammer blow to her soul. The air thick with his anger.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I gave you Hebrew dogs a chance to obey.
Speaker 8 (22:05):
It was my mercy that held my spears at the bay.
Speaker 4 (22:10):
But no longer my will cannot be thwarted.
Speaker 8 (22:15):
It is as steady as denial, and as forceful as
the radiating flames of the sun.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
You Hebrews, will know my power.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Pharaoh turned to his captain and raised his scepter. She
recaught a glimpse of his arms. They were tight with muscle,
firm and steady. His entire body was tense with anger.
Speaker 9 (22:40):
Gush, will weep with the wails of mothers, as I
tell their sons from their breasts, take every sun under
the age of two, and cast.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Them into the nile. The crocodiles will feast on the flesh,
and the waters were clemsen. As a symbol of my
power over them.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Pharaoh turned to Sheifra and Poor. His breaths were hot
with rage.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
I ought to kill you both for failing me, but
I wan't. I want you to bear witness. I want
you to gaze upon the bloody nile and remember that
no man or god is more powerful than the Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Poua's hands were pressing aggressively against the marble floors. Her
body was shaking with grief. Tears streamed down her silent,
trembling cheeks.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Weep if you must, but know that your tears do
not sway me.
Speaker 4 (23:46):
Gods, get them out of my sight.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Sheifra and Poor were cast out again. This time they
were thrown down the steps. They tumbled into the dust.
The midwives cast their heads up from the floor and
watched hundreds of soldiers march out of the palace barracks
towards Goshen.
Speaker 7 (24:05):
They're marching towards Goshen. We have to beat them there
and warn the others.
Speaker 6 (24:10):
You run ahead, my dear. I am not as spry
as I used to be. I will see if I
can slow them down.
Speaker 7 (24:16):
What how, what are you going to do?
Speaker 1 (24:19):
She for held her friend's face and kissed her on
the forehead.
Speaker 6 (24:23):
I will do what I must, as should you run,
my dear.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Poua's legs moved swiftly, bending through the crowded streets of thieves.
Her strides were like a gazelle's as she desperately tried
to reach Goshen before the soldiers. She for a turn
toward the battalion of soldiers. She steadied her breath and
marched toward them. She halted their steps and stretched her
(24:49):
arms out. She had no plans to fight. She only
needed to buy more time.
Speaker 6 (24:54):
If I can say just one child, it will all
be worth it.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
SHEI forra lifted her voice and echoed the promise God
made to Abraham. She believed in her heart of hearts
that they were a chosen people, and not even pharer
would thwart the promises made to them. With a resolute
stare and steady voice.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
She for yelled, I will make.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
You a great nation. I will bless you and make
your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I
will bless those who bless you, and I will curse
him who curses you, and through you, all the families
of the earth shall be blessed.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
Cups your babbling and step aside.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
Remember your promises, O, God most High, shut up, remember
your chosen people.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Silence her, deliver us.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
She for a stepped back and looked down. A spear
was driven straight through her belly. She coughed and blood
poured out on to the dust. She fell to her
knees looked up. Her final thoughts were that of her
husband and sons.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
She missed them.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
She longed to hold her child again in her arms.
In her final moments, she prayed that God would deliver
her people. Shifra fell into the dust. The soldiers trampled
over her body. On the way to Goshen. Poor was
far ahead, desperate to warn the women so the children
(26:31):
could be saved. This pray dog comproduction is only made
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(26:55):
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(27:16):
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Previously on the chosen people. Guided by the hand of
their brother Joseph, a man of dreams and visions, the
families of Israel found sanctuary in the region of Goshen.
There on the fringes of Egyptian grandeur, they multiplied.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
These Hebrews are contributing nothing and taking everything. They grow
crops on my land, heard on my hills, and drink
from my rivers, And what do I get in return?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Nothing?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Even worse, they are so great in number that they
can be trusted.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
If our enemies choosed to invade.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
What's to stop them from joining their side?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
What are your commands, Lord Pharaoh?
Speaker 2 (00:49):
The Israelites are no longer guests in my land. From
this day forth, they shall be bricks laid at the
foundation of my empire.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
The soldiers marched into Goshen, their armor clinking with the
cold efficiency of death. They claimed the fields, drove the
herds into Pharaoh's barns, and stripped the people of their tools.
Egyptian commanders were appointed over the Hebrews, each flanked by
battalions of soldiers, eager to enforce their lord's decree, And
(01:24):
so the children of Israel were bound in chains, their
lives consumed by the relentless toil of Pharaoh's ambitions. Day
after day, the sun rose and set, casting its unforgiving
light upon a land where time itself seemed to stretch
into eternity. Under the lash. Beneath the weight of stones
(01:47):
and mortar, the people of Israel cried out to the
God of their fathers.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
Ah, deliver us, rescue your people.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Blood tears and broken prayers dripped onto the Egyptian sands.
The Hebrews, once free, now lived under the crushing yoke
of bondage, their memories of liberty fading like distant echoes.
The generations that had known life outside the chains of
(02:28):
servitude were gone, and in their place remained a people
born to the lash, acquainted only with despair. They no
longer prayed as their ancestors had. Their prayers were brittle,
spoken to a god who seemed more myth than reality.
The God of Abraham was a faint echo passed down
(02:52):
through generations. The elders held tightly to his memory, but
with each generation, and the only God they knew now
was Pharaoh, an ever present force, his wrath burning upon
their backs like the relentless desert sun. His taskmasters were
(03:13):
his priests, and the backs of the Hebrews were the
altars upon which blood and flesh were sacrificed daily. Yet
within them a spark still smoldered, a remnant of their forefather, Jacob,
a sliver of hope that refused to be extinguished. In
their despair, they multiplied, they loved, they laughed, They clung
(03:37):
to each other in the face of overwhelming ants. Their
shared commitment to one another whispered prayers to the God
of Jacob amidst the beatings was their only weapon, their
quiet rebellion. But this strength made them a threat the
cruel pharaoh who enslaved them. Rameses the first had passed.
(04:00):
The Israelite scars told the tale of his legacy, a
legacy of brutality, conquest, and oppression. His son SETI took
his place. Both drank from the same well of hatred
and pride as their forebears. Their first for power was insatiable,
(04:21):
and their knights were haunted by visions of revolt.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
These Hebrews are like rats breeding in the shadows. They
already outnumber my soldiers. We must cut the Hebrews off
before they become unmanageable.
Speaker 5 (04:43):
Shall we execute some of the men, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Don't be so foolish and short sighted. Those men lay
my bricks and hoist the statues of my greatness. I
need their arms and legs. No, we need to cut
them off for a generation, starve their multiplication. Yes, we
(05:15):
must take the children. How shall we proceed, Bring me
the midwives, the women who aid the mothers in labor
at once.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
Yes, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
The air was pierced by the cries of a woman
in labor. Her breath ragged as she fall through the pain.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
That's right, my dear, keep breathing, Do not push, and
do not fight, Just breathe.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Shiphra sat on her birthstool, gently coaching a young woman
through labor. Her tone was steady, gentle, and comforting. She
guided the mother to be through every step and position.
Speaker 6 (06:01):
Lay on your side, now, my dear, Shifra.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Was a master at her craft. Midwives were revered pillars
among the Israelites. They were steady guides, bringing babies from
the womb into the world and mothers from maidenhood to motherhood. She,
like few others, truly feared God most High, her faith
as unshakable as the earth beneath her feet. With each birth,
(06:27):
each cry of a newborn, and each silence of a
child lost, Shifra drew closer to the heart of the creator.
Shifra gripped the woman's legs and spoke with a firm,
steady voice.
Speaker 6 (06:40):
Now as the time, my dear, do not hold back.
You must push. Now let's meet your child.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
The young mother did as she was told, her face
contorted with pain and determination. The woman pressed her legs
against Shefra's hands and pushed. Her labored sighs gave way
to shouts of brief pain. The woman's screams filled the room,
raw and powerful, until finally the child emerged into shef
(07:08):
for his waiting hands.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
A strong healthy boy, My dear, your husband will be
so proud.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
A cry pierced the air. A strong, healthy boy. She
immediately placed him on his mother's chest.
Speaker 6 (07:23):
May God most I bless you and your child. My dear,
there is no greater joy and pain than being a mother.
It hurts you now, but the real soreness comes later
when he is no longer suckling and is off to
the quarry. Enjoy these moments, my dear, savor them, as
Sarah savored Isaac long ago, for every child is a miracle,
(07:45):
not just the ones born to the matriarchs.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
The ordeal over. She first set to work, cleaning up
boiling water for a warm pad and tea. She moved
with a practiced grace, her hands never faltering as she
stirred the leaves, letting the fragrant steam rise. She soaked
cloths in hot water, pressing them gently against the mother's abdomen,
(08:10):
and brought a cup of tea to the woman's lips.
Sifra left the tent with her birthstool. The moon hung low,
shrouded by a haze of dust and smoke. The paths
she walked were jagged, ill, kept a reflection of the
broken lives lived by those who walked them. After a
(08:33):
day of hauling stones and paving roads for Pharaoh, nothing
was left for the Hebrews. In Goshen, Sifra watched as
men returned from their labor, their bodies battered, their spirits bruised.
They steeled themselves before entering their homes, hiding their despair
from their children, their pain from their wives. Schifra's heart
(08:58):
ached as she watched them, remembering each of them as
babes cradled in their mother's arms, full of life and promise.
Now they were shadows of men, their backs bent, their
faces hard, trudging forward like beasts of burden. Shifra made
it to her home, which she shared with the other midwives.
(09:21):
She entered with worry creased on her brow, reclining at
a table weaving a basket with her coarse hands.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Was poor.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
She was ten years Sheifra's junior, but just as respected.
Sensing Sheifra's weariness, Pooa stood and took the birthstool from her.
She poured a cup and placed it in Sheifra's hands.
Speaker 7 (09:44):
Did Ziva have her child?
Speaker 6 (09:47):
Yes, a strong little boy with a head fat enough
to split the nile. For a moment, I was worried
about that poor girl. But she did it. She was
a strong one, steady till the end.
Speaker 7 (09:58):
Oh, another boy, another back for Pharaoh's whips.
Speaker 6 (10:04):
As I walked back and saw all the men coming home,
memories of them as babes flashed before my eyes.
Speaker 7 (10:10):
Yes, but for all their suffering, they still fall in
love and have children. They still laugh and forget their
troubles for moments long enough to make love and bring
forth a new generation. The cycle repeats again and again.
Even in despair, moments of love sustain us. This is
the way of our people.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
They sat in silence, letting the weight of the day
settle around them, until a loud knock shattered the quiet.
She for his blood, ran cold. She knew that knock
the same brutal pounding that had preceded the seizure of
her husband and son, taken to serve Pharaoh's army, and
never returned.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
Probing up slaves, Ready yourself, my dear.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
She opened the door and immediately was flung wide. Three
palace guards storming inside. One seized Shifra by the arm,
another advanced on pooris. They knew better than to resist,
remaining silent and submissive as they were dragged away. Shifra
had heard stories about the great city of Pharaoh, but
(11:19):
none could properly prepare her for its grandeur. Compared to
the slums of Goshen, the cities surrounding the palace seemed
like another world. They were escorted through the bustling streets
of thieves. The crowded markets were filled with the sounds
of merchants walking their wares and the clatter of donkey carts.
(11:40):
Merchants and nobles reclined at tables with cups in hand.
Music played in the streets, adding to the incessant and
never ending noise. The palace loomed ahead, its walls high
in imposing, adorned with banners and emblems representing the might
of Pharaoh. Entering the palace grounds, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
(12:04):
The city's noise gave way to an almost reverent silence,
broken only by the murmurs of priests and the soft
footsteps of servants. The floors beneath their feet were smooth,
polished stone, cool to the touch and gleaming under the
flickering light of oil lamps. The architecture was awe inspiring,
(12:26):
with tall columns carved to resemble lotus flowers and papyrus plants,
symbolizing the eternal life of Pharaoh's kingdom.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
The air was thick with the.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Scent of incense and a heady mixture of myrrh, frank incense,
and other exotic spices meant to purify and sanctify the space.
The palace walls, built of limestone, were adorned with intricate
carvings and hieroglyphics, each telling stories of gods, kings, and conquests.
Speaker 3 (12:57):
When Pharaoh addresses you keep your eyes on the floor.
Only Egyptians can gaze at the sun and live.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
I cannot tell if he's breathing a threat or explaining
a fact.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
The opulence became even more overwhelming as they were brought
deeper into the palace. The walls were painted in vibrant colors,
depicting scenes of gods and pharaohs triumphing over enemies, with
gold and lapis lazuli inlays catching the light. The air
was cool there, protected from the heat by thick stone
(13:33):
walls and high ceilings. They passed through gardens filled with
lush greenery, rare flowers, and fountains, all meticulously maintained, creating
an oasis of tranquility. Yet Shifra and Poor were far
from tranquil.
Speaker 7 (13:50):
What could Pharaoh possibly want with us?
Speaker 6 (13:52):
We wouldn't be summoneer in such a manner for something good.
He is going to demand something of us.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Finally, Shifra and Pua were led into the throne room.
It was vast, with a high ceiling supported by massive columns,
each painted with images of the gods. The throne was
a masterpiece of craftsmanship, inlaid with precious stones and gold,
flanked by statues of falcons and sphinxes, symbols of the
(14:22):
pharaoh's divine authority. Then they saw him, Pharaoh's SETI, seated
on this throne as a figure of almost other worldly presents.
His shaved head wore a head dress adorned with sapphires.
His bare chest bore golden wings, in his hands with
(14:43):
a crook and flail, symbols of his rule over Upper
and Lower Egypt. His gaze was stern and penetrating, and
the weight of his authority was palpable, filling the room
with an almost tangible sense of power. The midwives were
brought forward, their movements closely monitored by the guards and courtiers.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Meal before the image of raw the Lord of the Nile,
the morning and evening star Hail Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Sheifra and Poor kept their heads low and their gaze
fixed on the door. The tension in the room was
thick as they awaited the pharaoh's words. The women were
acutely aware that their lives were entirely in the hands
of this living god. Any slight misstep could lead to
severe punishment.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
You are the midwives who aid the Hebrew women in labor.
Speaker 6 (15:40):
Yes, yes, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Then you know where and have more witness to the
rapid multiplication of your people. You are breeding like rats
on the ground. I shall have an end to it.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
The women were silent, knowing better than to ask questions
or reply with a comment.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
I have brought you here instead of sending an envoy
to communicate the severity by which I give my command.
When you are on the birth stool and you see
a son born to a Hebrew woman, you shall kill
(16:26):
him without a second thought. If it is a daughter,
then the baby shall live. This is the decree of Pharaoh,
the image of a Rah, the Lord of the Nile,
the morning and evening star.
Speaker 1 (16:49):
Poor tensed her entire body. She for could tell she
was about to speak, so she grabbed her forearm and squeezed,
wanting to silence Poor before she had a chance to speak.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
These are the commands you are to relay to the
other midwives. I want the streets painted red with the
blood of the Hebrew rats. Am I understood.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
It took everything in Sifra to open her jaw and
breathe out a.
Speaker 6 (17:18):
Reply, yes, Lord Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Poora's eyes darted sideways to Shifra. She returned her gaze
with an intense stare to remind her of where they
were and who they were speaking to.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
Now leave me.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
The women were roughly escorted out and thrown into the
streets of thieves, forced to find their way back to
Goshen on their own. The second the gods were gone,
poor lashed out at Shifra.
Speaker 7 (17:47):
How could you agree to such a hideous thing, Schiffra, be.
Speaker 6 (17:51):
Quite prop Come with me.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
The two women wove through the busy streets and tucked
themselves into the shadows of an anyway. The slight flickering
of nearby torches illuminated Sheafer's intense theare.
Speaker 6 (18:04):
Do you really think I'd kill those babes? Do you?
Defying Pharaoh would have led to our deaths. Then he
would recruit other midwives and threaten them. If they refused,
then he would rifle through all of them until he
found someone willing to agree. We had to say yes,
no choice. Does that mean will do what he's asked?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Of course not.
Speaker 6 (18:29):
I fear God most High more than Pharaoh. It would
be his children slain on those birthing stools. I will
play no part in it.
Speaker 7 (18:38):
You speak the truth. But what are we to do
with these commands? Pharaoh will know if we have disobeyed him.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
We tell him that Hebrew women are stronger than the
Egyptians and are giving birth before we have a chance
to attend them. It's only a half lie.
Speaker 7 (18:55):
We must tell every woman under our care to hide
their children from the taskmasters and guard.
Speaker 6 (19:01):
Yes, good, my dear.
Speaker 7 (19:02):
Shifra, I fear this is only the beginning of Pharaoh's cruelty.
We must prepare the rest of our people for what's
to come.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
The clouds hovered low Overgoshin, as if to shield the
Hebrew women from Pharaoh's high gaze. Shifra Boa and the
other midwives operated by night, stealthily helping each mother through birth.
They sent messengers to each household when a baby was
expected to be born. That signaled the older children to
(19:31):
start a commotion on the opposite side of town to
distract Pharaoh's guards, allowing the women to give birth without
fear of being heard. Months of this past, and newborn
boys were kept safe. God blessed the other midwives and
gave them favor. He gave them children of their own
and kept them safe. The Hebrews continued to multiply and thrive.
(19:55):
The whips of Pharaoh wouldn't remove their hope. His cruel
dec wouldn't quell their love. The children lived and grew strong. However,
their defiance wouldn't go unnoticed for long. Pharaoh didn't forget
his decree, and knew that Goshen's silence was deafening to
their guilt. He sent for Shifra and Poor again. This
(20:19):
time they were taken violently and thrown onto the palace floors.
Pharaoh's rage was a living thing, coiled and ready to strike.
He gripped his scepter, pointing it directly at them, his
voice trembling with fury.
Speaker 8 (20:35):
Did you think your defiance would escape my eye? I
am Sarah. I alone can awaken the eye of horace.
Nothing passes from my gaze. Why have you let these
children live?
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Answer me?
Speaker 1 (20:56):
Poor began to speak, but she first stopped her. She
was the elder. If anyone would receive the ire of Pharaoh,
it would be her. It was her joy to risk
her life for the children's.
Speaker 6 (21:09):
Sake, Lord Pharaoh. Truly nothing escapes your eye However, we
are not blessed with such a sight ourselves. These hebrew
women are not like the Egyptians. The Egyptian women give
birth on silken sheets. You have rituals and ceremonies that
hearken to the arrival of each child. Yet these Hebrews
(21:31):
are vigorous. They are able to give birth while working
the fields or stirring a pot of stew. Once whispers
of your decree surfaced, they've been giving birth before we
have a chance to attend to them.
Speaker 1 (21:45):
Pharaoh took a step down from his throne, and though
Sheiphra dared not look up, she could feel his presence
looming over her. Each step he took was like a
hammer blow to her soul. The air thick with his anger.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I gave you Hebrew dogs a chance to obey.
Speaker 8 (22:05):
It was my mercy that held my spears at the bay.
Speaker 4 (22:10):
But no longer my will cannot be thwarted.
Speaker 8 (22:15):
It is as steady as denial, and as forceful as
the radiating flames of the sun.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
You Hebrews, will know my power.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Pharaoh turned to his captain and raised his scepter. She
recaught a glimpse of his arms. They were tight with muscle,
firm and steady. His entire body was tense with anger.
Speaker 9 (22:40):
Gush, will weep with the wails of mothers, as I
tell their sons from their breasts, take every sun under
the age of two, and cast.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Them into the nile. The crocodiles will feast on the flesh,
and the waters were clemsen. As a symbol of my
power over them.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
Pharaoh turned to Sheifra and Poor. His breaths were hot
with rage.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
I ought to kill you both for failing me, but
I wan't. I want you to bear witness. I want
you to gaze upon the bloody nile and remember that
no man or god is more powerful than the Pharaoh.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Poua's hands were pressing aggressively against the marble floors. Her
body was shaking with grief. Tears streamed down her silent,
trembling cheeks.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Weep if you must, but know that your tears do
not sway me.
Speaker 4 (23:46):
Gods, get them out of my sight.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
Sheifra and Poor were cast out again. This time they
were thrown down the steps. They tumbled into the dust.
The midwives cast their heads up from the floor and
watched hundreds of soldiers march out of the palace barracks
towards Goshen.
Speaker 7 (24:05):
They're marching towards Goshen. We have to beat them there
and warn the others.
Speaker 6 (24:10):
You run ahead, my dear. I am not as spry
as I used to be. I will see if I
can slow them down.
Speaker 7 (24:16):
What how, what are you going to do?
Speaker 1 (24:19):
She for held her friend's face and kissed her on
the forehead.
Speaker 6 (24:23):
I will do what I must, as should you run,
my dear.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Poua's legs moved swiftly, bending through the crowded streets of thieves.
Her strides were like a gazelle's as she desperately tried
to reach Goshen before the soldiers. She for a turn
toward the battalion of soldiers. She steadied her breath and
marched toward them. She halted their steps and stretched her
(24:49):
arms out. She had no plans to fight. She only
needed to buy more time.
Speaker 6 (24:54):
If I can say just one child, it will all
be worth it.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
SHEI forra lifted her voice and echoed the promise God
made to Abraham. She believed in her heart of hearts
that they were a chosen people, and not even pharer
would thwart the promises made to them. With a resolute
stare and steady voice.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
She for yelled, I will make.
Speaker 6 (25:19):
You a great nation. I will bless you and make
your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I
will bless those who bless you, and I will curse
him who curses you, and through you, all the families
of the earth shall be blessed.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
Cups your babbling and step aside.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
Remember your promises, O, God most High, shut up, remember
your chosen people.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Silence her, deliver us.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
She for a stepped back and looked down. A spear
was driven straight through her belly. She coughed and blood
poured out on to the dust. She fell to her
knees looked up. Her final thoughts were that of her
husband and sons.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
She missed them.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
She longed to hold her child again in her arms.
In her final moments, she prayed that God would deliver
her people. Shifra fell into the dust. The soldiers trampled
over her body. On the way to Goshen. Poor was
far ahead, desperate to warn the women so the children
(26:31):
could be saved. This pray dog comproduction is only made
possible by our dedicated team of creative talents, Steve Katina,
Max Bard Zach Sllebager and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Caltafianu. Characters
are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan,
(26:55):
Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Hilcher, and
Mitch Leshinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato,
bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey
dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available
on the Apple App Store and Google play Store. If
(27:16):
you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review,
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