April 24 (Joshua 21–22; Psalm 105:26–45; Romans 3–4)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry Episode: April 24 (Joshua 21–22; Psalm 105:26–45; Romans 3–4) Release Date: April 24, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry," produced by Crossway, listeners embark on a spiritual journey through selected passages from the Old Testament, Psalms, and the New Testament. The episode meticulously navigates through Joshua 21–22, Psalm 105:26–45, and Romans 3–4, offering deep insights and reflections to enhance understanding and application of these scriptures.

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Old Testament Reading: Joshua 21–22

Speaker: Joshua

Key Topics and Discussions:

• Allocation of Cities to the Levites (Joshua 21): Joshua outlines the distribution of 48 cities and their surrounding pasturelands to the Levites from the tribes of Israel. This allocation ensures that the Levites, who serve religious duties, have designated areas to reside and sustain their livelihoods.

• Encouragement to Reuben, Gad, and the Half Tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 22): Joshua addresses the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, acknowledging their faithfulness and obedience in fulfilling Moses' commands. He urges them to continue loving and serving the Lord wholeheartedly as they settle in their allotted territories.

Notable Quotes:

• "And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their fathers." [05:28]

  Joshua emphasizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the ancestors of Israel, highlighting the rest and peace granted to the people.

• "Let us make for ourselves a witness between us and you, that the Lord is God." [10:17]

  The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh build an altar not for sacrifice but as a testimony to their unity and shared faith in God, preventing future disputes over religious practices.

Insights and Conclusions: Joshua's meticulous recounting of the Levites' city allocations underscores the importance of order and dedication in communal worship and religious duties. The resolution between the tribes illustrates the significance of unity and clear communication in maintaining harmony within the Israelite community. The construction of the altar serves as a lasting symbol of covenantal faithfulness and mutual respect among the tribes.

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Psalms Reading: Psalm 105:26–45

Speaker: David

Key Topics and Discussions:

• God's Miraculous Acts for Israel’s Deliverance: David recounts the series of miracles God performed to free the Israelites from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. These acts include turning waters to blood, bringing plagues, providing manna, and leading them with a cloud and fire.

Notable Quotes:

• "He sent Moses his servant and Aaron, whom he had chosen." [12:22]

  David highlights God's selection of Moses and Aaron as leaders to guide and perform signs and wonders among the people.

• "He gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the people's toil..." [13:05]

  This verse emphasizes God's provision of the Promised Land, rewarding the Israelites' faith and labor.

Insights and Conclusions: David's poetic narration serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His promises and His active role in the lives of His people. By revisiting these historical events, believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and remember His past faithfulness as they navigate present challenges.

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New Testament Reading: Romans 3–4

Speaker: Phinehas

Key Topics and Discussions:

• Justification by Faith (Romans 3–4): Phinehas delves into Paul's teachings on justification, emphasizing that righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law. He explains that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin and highlights Abraham's unwavering faith as an exemplar.

Notable Quotes:

• "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." [13:05]

  Phinehas underscores the universal need for salvation and the gift of grace available through faith in Christ.

• "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." [16:21]

  This reference to Abraham illustrates that faith, rather than adherence to the law, is the basis for righteousness before God.

• "His faith was counted to him as righteousness." [19:24]

  Phinehas reiterates that Abraham's faith, not his works, was credited to him, serving as a foundation for Christian belief in justification by faith.

Insights and Conclusions: Phinehas effectively bridges the Old and New Testaments by showing the continuity of God's plan for salvation through faith. By highlighting Abraham's example, he reinforces the principle that justification is accessible to all who believe, transcending ethnic and legalistic boundaries. This teaching invites listeners to embrace a faith-based relationship with God, grounded in grace rather than human efforts.

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Conclusion

This episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry" offers a comprehensive exploration of significant biblical passages. From the detailed distribution of Levite cities and the reinforcement of communal faith in Joshua's account, through David's poetic remembrance of God's miraculous deeds, to Phinehas' profound exposition on justification by faith in Romans, listeners are provided with rich theological insights. The inclusion of notable quotes with precise timestamps aids in deeper reflection and study, making the teachings accessible and impactful for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Joshua]

A reading from the Book of Joshua.

[Phinehas]

Then the heads of the fathers houses of the Levites came to Eliezer the.

[Joshua]

Priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the.

[Phinehas]

Fathers houses of the tribes of the people of Israel.

[Joshua]

And they said to them at Shiloh, in the land of Canaan, the Lord.

[Phinehas]

Commanded through Moses that we be given.

[Joshua]

Cities to dwell in along with their pasturelands for our livestock.

[Phinehas]

So by command of the Lord, the people of Israel gave to the Levites.

[Joshua]

The following cities and pasture lands. Out of their inheritance. The Lot came out for the clans of the Kohathahites.

[Phinehas]

So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest, received by Lot from.

[Joshua]

The tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin, 13 cities.

[Phinehas]

And the rest of the Kohathahites received.

[Joshua]

By Lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half tribe of Manasseh, 10 cities. The Gershonites, received by Lot from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half tribe of manasseh and Bashan, 13 cities. The Merarites, according to their clans, received from the tribe of Reuben the tribe of Gad and the tribe of Zebulun, 12 cities. These cities in their pasturelands the people.

[Phinehas]

Of Israel gave by Lot to the.

[Joshua]

Levites, as the Lord had commanded through Moses. Out of the tribe of the people of Judah and the tribe of the.

[Phinehas]

People of Simeon, they gave the following.

[Joshua]

Cities mentioned by name, which went to.

[Phinehas]

The descendants of Aaron, one of the.

[Joshua]

Clans of the Kohathahites, who belonged to the people of Levi. Since the Lot fell to them first, they gave them Kiriath, Arba. Arba, being the father of Anak, that is, Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, along with the pasture lands around it.

[Phinehas]

But the fields of the city and.

[Joshua]

Its villages had been given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh, as his possession.

[Phinehas]

And to the descendants of Aaron the.

[Joshua]

Priest, they gave Hebron the city of refuge for the Manslayer, with its pasturelands, Libnah with its pasturelands, Jadur with its pasturelands, Eshtamoah with its pasturelands, Holon with its pasturelands, Debur with its pasturelands, Ain with its pasturelands, Juttah with its pasturelands, Beth Shemesh with its pasturelands, nine cities out of these two tribes, then, out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its pasturelands, Geba with its pasturelands, Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almun with its pasture lands, four cities.

[Phinehas]

The cities of the descendants of Aaron.

[Joshua]

The priests were in all 13 cities with their pasturelands. As to the rest of the Kohathites.

[Phinehas]

Belonging to the Kohathite clans of the.

[Joshua]

Levites, the cities allotted to them were out of the tribe of Ephraim. To them were given Shechem, the city of refuge for the Manslayer with its.

[Phinehas]

Pasture lands in the hill country of.

[Joshua]

Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands Gibzain with its pasturelands Beth Horon with its pasturelands, four cities and out of the tribe of Dan Eltekah with its pasture lands, Gibbethon with its pasture lands, Aijalon with its pasture lands, Gathrimmon with its pasture lands, four cities and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its pasturelands and Gath Rimmon with its pasturelands, two cities. The cities of the clans of the rest of The Kohathites were 10 in all with their pasturelands. And to the Gershonites, one of the clans of the Levites were given out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Golan and Bashan, with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer and Beestara with its pasturelands, two cities and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishiyan with its pasturelands Dabereth with its pasture lands Jarmuth with its pasturelands Engenh with its pasturelands, four cities and out of the tribe of Asher Michel with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, Helkath with its pasturelands and Rehob with its pasture lands, four cities and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hamath Dor with its pasturelands and Khartan with its pasturelands, three cities.

[Phinehas]

The cities of the several clans of.

[Joshua]

The Gershonites were in all 13 cities with their pasturelands. And to the rest of the Levites, the Merarite clans were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneim with its pasturelands, Karda with its pasturelands, Dimnah with its pasturelands Nahalal with its pasturelands, four cities and out of the tribe of Reuben Bezer with its pasture lands, Jahaz with its pasturelands, Kedemoth with its pasturelands and Mephaioth with its pasture lands, four cities and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth and Gilead with its pasturelands.

[Phinehas]

The city of refuge for the manslayer.

[Joshua]

Maanaum with its pasturelands Heshbon with its pasturelands, Jazer with its pasturelands. Four cities in all.

[Phinehas]

As for the cities of the several.

[Joshua]

Merarite clans, that is, the remainder of the clans of the Levites, those allotted to them were in all 12 cities.

[Phinehas]

The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people.

[Joshua]

Of Israel were in all 48 cities with their pasturelands.

[Phinehas]

These cities each had its pasturelands around it. So it was with all these cities. Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give.

[Joshua]

To their fathers, and they took possession of it. And they settled there.

[Phinehas]

And the Lord gave them rest on.

[Joshua]

Every side, just as he had sworn to their fathers.

[Phinehas]

Not one of all their enemies had withstood them. For the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to.

[Joshua]

The house of Israel had failed. All came to pass. At that time.

[Phinehas]

Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites.

[Joshua]

And the half tribe of Manasseh and and said to them, you have kept.

[Phinehas]

All that Moses the servant of the.

[Joshua]

Lord commanded you, and have obeyed my.

[Phinehas]

Voice in all that I have commanded you. You have not forsaken your brothers these.

[Joshua]

Many days down to this day, but.

[Phinehas]

Have been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God has.

[Joshua]

Given rest to your brothers as he promised them. Therefore turn and go to your tents.

[Phinehas]

In the land where your possession lies, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the.

[Joshua]

Servant of the Lord commanded you to love the Lord your God and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to.

[Phinehas]

Him, and to serve him with all.

[Joshua]

Your heart and with all your soul. So Joshua blessed them and sent them away. And they went to their tents.

[Phinehas]

Now, to the one half of the.

[Joshua]

Tribe of Manasseh, Moses had given a possession in Bashan.

[Phinehas]

But to the other half, Joshua had given a possession beside their brothers in the land west of the Jordan. And when Joshua sent them away to.

[Joshua]

Their homes and blessed them, he said to them, go back to your tents.

[Phinehas]

With much wealth and with very much.

[Joshua]

Livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and with much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers. So the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned home, parting from the people of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the land of Gilead, their own.

[Phinehas]

Land of which they had possessed themselves by command of the Lord through Moses. And when they came to the region of the Jordan, that is, in the.

[Joshua]

Land of Canaan, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the.

[Phinehas]

Half tribe of Manasseh built there an.

[Joshua]

Altar by the Jordan, an altar of imposing size. And the people of Israel heard it said, behold, the people of Reuben and.

[Phinehas]

The people of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built the altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region about the Jordan.

[Joshua]

On the side that belongs to the people of Israel. And when the people of Israel heard.

[Phinehas]

Of it, the whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh to.

[Joshua]

Make war against them.

[Phinehas]

Then the people of Israel sent to.

[Joshua]

The people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead. Phinehas, the son of Eliezer, the priest.

[Phinehas]

And with him 10 chiefs, one from.

[Joshua]

Each of the tribal families of Israel.

[Phinehas]

Every one of them the head of a family among the clans of Israel.

[Joshua]

And they came to the people of Reuben, the people of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh and the land of Gilead. And they said to them, thus says.

[Phinehas]

The whole congregation of the Lord, what is this breach of faith that you have committed against the God of Israel? And turning away this day from following the Lord by building yourselves an altar this day in rebellion against the Lord? Have we not had enough of the sin at Peor from which even yet we have not cleansed ourselves? And for which there came a plague upon the congregation of the Lord, that you too must turn away this day from following the Lord.

[Joshua]

And if you too rebel against the Lord today, then tomorrow he will be.

[Phinehas]

Angry with the whole congregation of Israel.

[Joshua]

But now, if the land of your possession is unclean, pass over into the.

[Phinehas]

Lord's land where the Lord's tabernacle stands.

[Joshua]

And take for yourselves a possession among us.

[Phinehas]

Only do not rebel against the Lord.

[Joshua]

Or make us as rebels by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the Lord our God.

[Phinehas]

Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things? And wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel.

[Joshua]

And he did not perish alone for his iniquity. Then the people of Reuben, the people of Gad, and the half tribe of.

[Phinehas]

Manasseh said in answer to the heads.

[Joshua]

Of the families of Israel, the mighty one God, the Lord, the mighty one God, the Lord, he knows. And let Israel itself Know if it.

[Phinehas]

Was in rebellion or in breach of faith against the Lord. Do not spare us today for building an altar to turn away from following.

[Joshua]

The Lord, or if we did so, to offer burnt offerings or grain offerings or peace offerings, on it may the.

[Phinehas]

Lord himself take vengeance. No. But we did it from fear that in time to come your children might say to our children, what have you.

[Joshua]

To do with the Lord, the God of Israel?

[Phinehas]

For the Lord has made the Jordan.

[Joshua]

A boundary between us and you. You people of Reuben and people of Gad, you have no portion in the Lord.

[Phinehas]

So your children might make our children cease to worship the Lord. Therefore we said, let us now build.

[Joshua]

An altar not for burnt offering nor.

[David]

For sacrifice, but to be a witness.

[Joshua]

Between us and you and between our generations after us that we do perform.

[Phinehas]

The service of the Lord in his.

[Joshua]

Presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings.

[Phinehas]

So your children will not say to.

[Joshua]

Our children, in time to come, you.

[Phinehas]

Have no portion in the Lord. And we thought, if this should be said to us or to our descendants in time to come, we should say, behold the copy of the altar of the Lord which our fathers made not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifice, but.

[Joshua]

To be a witness between us and you.

[Phinehas]

Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away this day from following the Lord by building an altar for burnt offering.

[Joshua]

Grain offering, or sacrifice, other than the.

[Phinehas]

Altar of the Lord our God that.

[Joshua]

Stands before his tabernacle. When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs.

[Phinehas]

Of the congregation, the heads of the.

[Joshua]

Families of Israel who were with him.

[Phinehas]

Heard the words that the people of.

[Joshua]

Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke. It was good in their eyes. And Phinehas the son of Eliezer, the.

[Phinehas]

Priest, said to the people of Reuben.

[Joshua]

And the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh, today we know that the Lord is in our midst because.

[Phinehas]

You have not committed this breach of.

[Joshua]

Faith against the Lord. Now you have delivered the people of.

[Phinehas]

Israel from the hand of the Lord. Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the.

[Joshua]

Priest and the chiefs returned from the people of Reuben and the people of.

[Phinehas]

Gad in the land of Gilead, to.

[Joshua]

The land of Canaan, to the people of Israel, and brought back word to them.

[Phinehas]

And the report was good in the.

[Joshua]

Eyes of the people of Israel. And the people of Israel blessed God.

[Phinehas]

And spoke no more of making war against them to destroy the land where.

[Joshua]

The people of Reuben and the people of Gad were settled. The people of Reuben and the people of Gad called the altar witness. For they said, it is a witness between us that the Lord is God. A reading from the Book of Psalms. He sent Moses his servant and Aaron.

[David]

Whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them and miracles.

[Phinehas]

In the land of Ham.

[David]

He sent darkness and made the land dark.

[Phinehas]

They did not rebel against his words.

[Joshua]

He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die.

[Phinehas]

Their land swarmed with frogs.

[Joshua]

Even in the chambers of their kings. He spoke. And there came swarms of flies and gnats throughout their country.

[David]

He gave them hail for rain and fiery lightning bolts through their land. He struck down their vines and fig.

[Joshua]

Trees and shattered the trees of their country.

[David]

He spoke. And the locusts came, young locusts without number, which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground. He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their strength. Then he brought out Israel with silver.

[Joshua]

And gold, and there was none among.

[David]

His tribes who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it. He spread a cloud for a covering and fire to give light by night they asked. And he brought quail and gave them.

[Phinehas]

Bread from heaven in abundance.

[Joshua]

He opened the rock and water gushed out.

[David]

It flowed through the desert like a river, for he remembered his holy promise and Abraham his servant. So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.

[Phinehas]

And he gave them the lands of.

[David]

The nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the people's toil, that.

[Joshua]

They might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord. A reading from the Book of Romans Then what advantage has the Jewish?

[David]

Or what is the value of circumcision?

[Joshua]

Much in every way.

[David]

To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means. Let God be true, though everyone were a liar, as it is written, that you may be justified in your words and prevail when you are judged. But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? I speak in a human way, by no means, for then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil? That good may come, as some people slanderously charge us with saying their condemnation.

[Joshua]

Is Just what then?

[David]

Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks are under sin. As it is written, none is righteous. No, not one. No one understands. No one seeks for God. All have turned aside. Together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave. They use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. In their paths are ruin and misery and the way of peace. They have not known there is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it. The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe, for there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also. Since God is one who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means. On the contrary, we uphold the law. What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather, according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Now, to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift, but as his due. And to the one who does not work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly. His faith is counted as righteousness. Just as David also speaks of the.

[Phinehas]

Blessing of the one to whom God.

[David]

Counts righteousness apart from works. Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered.

[Phinehas]

Blessed is the man against whom the.

[David]

Lord will not count his sin. Is this blessing then, only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath. But where there is no law, there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring, not only to the adherent of the law, but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations in.

[Phinehas]

The presence of the God in whom.

[David]

He believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist in hope. He believed against hope that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, so shall your offspring be. He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.

[Phinehas]

No unbelief made him waver concerning the.

[David]

Promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was counted to him. As righteousness. But the words it was counted to him were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who.

[Phinehas]

Believe in him, who raised from the.

[David]

Dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.