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# 245 - King Xerxes & The Exiled Queen - In this episode of The Chosen People, the drunken King Xerxes commands Queen Vashti to parade her beauty and crown before his rowdy banquet guests, her refusal to be degraded costs her the throne and sets off a search for Persia's next queen. As the empire's most powerful woman
is banished for defending her dignity, an unknown orphan girl is quietly poised to step into a destiny that will change the course of God's chosen people forever.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 245 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 118:6, “Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from The Chosen People
View all- 1Jerusalem Reborn# 259 - The Wall is Complete - In this episode of The Chosen People, Nehemiah faces lies, threats, and betrayal meant to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem—but faith and perseverance carry the people through. At last, the walls stand complete, a living testimony that God’s strength turns fear into triumph and ruins into restoration.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 259 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Nehemiah 5:19, Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 2Justice & Generosity# 258 - Justice & Generosity - In this episode of The Chosen People, Nehemiah confronts injustice within Jerusalem, calling the nobles to repent and restore what they had taken from their own brothers and sisters. Through courage, justice, and radical generosity, God’s people learn that true rebuilding happens not only with stone—but within the heart.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 258 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Micah 6:8, He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 3Hammers & Swords# 257 - Hammers & Swords - In this episode of The Chosen People, Nehemiah leads Jerusalem’s builders to labor with hammers in one hand and swords in the other, as threats rise from every side. In the face of fear, lies, and intimidation, God’s people discover that unity, faith, and courage are the true walls that protect them.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 257 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men.”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 4Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall# 256 - Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall - In this episode of The Chosen People, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem with the king’s blessing to rebuild the city’s broken walls. As stone by stone is lifted, the people rise together in unity and faith, trusting that God’s hand is the true strength behind their restoration.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 256 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Isaiah 61:4, “They will rebuild the old ruins. They will raise up the former devastations. They will repair the ruined cities, that have been devastated for many generations.” Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 5Nehemiah’s Heart# 255 - Nehemiah’s Heart - In this episode of The Chosen People, when Nehemiah hears that Jerusalem's walls lie broken and its gates burned, he weeps, fasts, and pours out his heart to God. Then, standing before King Artaxerxes as the royal cupbearer, he risks everything to ask for permission to go home and rebuild the city of his ancestors.Episode 255 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 6The Chosen People Return# 254 - The Chosen People Return - In this episode of The Chosen People, Prophets Haggai and Zechariah rouse a stalled people as King Darius’ decree clears the way to finish the second temple—yet God soon sends Ezra, a Torah-scribe, to confront hearts that have grown cold. With scrolls in hand and tears on the temple steps, Ezra leads Israel into costly repentance and true return, turning rebuilt walls into renewed worship.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 254 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful; for he can’t deny himself.”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 7Rebuilding The Temple# 253 - Rebuilding - In this episode of The Chosen People, Returned exiles rebuild the altar and lay the temple’s foundation in Ezra 3–4, their songs of joy mingling with elders’ tears as worship rises from the ruins. When fake “allies” scheme and opposition mounts, the work stalls—but the altar’s flame keeps burning, calling a weary people to faithful beginnings.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 253 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 8Return of the Exiles# 252 - Return of the Exiles - In this episode of The Chosen People, Exiled Israel hears King Cyrus’s stunning decree and begins the long road home, as Zerubbabel and Jeshua rally families, priests, and Levites to return and rebuild. In Ezra 1–2, names are recorded, temple vessels are restored, and worship—more than walls—becomes the first foundation of renewal.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 252 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Hebrews 10:23, “Let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 9Esther the Hero# 251 - Esther the Hero - In this episode of The Chosen People, With Haman gone, Esther and Mordecai still face an irrevocable death decree and must act with courage and wisdom. Empowered by the king’s signet, they issue a counter-edict, lead their people to defend themselves, and transform a day marked for annihilation into Purim—a celebration of deliverance, steadfast faith, and God’s quiet providence.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 251 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by 1 Samuel 16:7, “for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 10Haman Hangs# 250 - Haman Hangs - In this episode of The Chosen People, At Esther’s second banquet (Esther 6:14–7:10), the queen unveils her identity, exposes “this wicked Haman,” and the king orders Haman hung on the very gallows he built for Mordecai. This gripping episode explores courage under pressure, God’s quiet justice, and how pride prepares its own downfall.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 250 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Psalm 103:8–10, “Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 11Haman's Plot# 249 - Haman's Plot - In this episode of The Chosen People, we witness Haman’s pride unravel as the gallows he builds for Mordecai become the stage for his own humiliation. In Esther 5:9–6:13, God’s hidden hand turns power upside down, reminding us that true honor belongs to the humble and that justice comes in His timing.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 249 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- 12The Rise of Esther# 248 - The Rise of Esther - In this episode of The Chosen People, Mordecai’s public grief forces Esther to choose between palace safety and covenant courage, leading her to fast, reveal her true name—Hadassah—and step toward the throne “for such a time as this.” With the golden scepter extended and a strategic banquet set, her quiet wisdom begins to unravel Haman’s plot and awaken hope for her people.Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up Episode 248 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Joshua.Today's opening prayer is inspired by Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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