February 1 (Exodus 8–9; Psalm 29; Mark 8)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry – February 1, 2025

Episode Overview In this episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry," listeners are guided through a day’s readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, and the New Testament. Specifically, the episode covers Exodus 8–9, Psalm 29, and Mark 8. Jackie Hill Perry leads the audience through these passages, offering a comprehensive exploration of the narratives, themes, and theological insights embedded within. This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, and notable quotes from each section, providing an engaging overview for both regular listeners and newcomers.

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Old Testament Reading: Exodus 8–9

Exodus 8–9: The Plagues of Egypt Jackie Hill Perry begins by narrating the escalating confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh, highlighting the divine interventions designed to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage.

• Plague of Frogs (Exodus 8:1-15):

  • Moses’ Command: “[...] the Lord said to Moses, go unto Pharaoh and say to him, thus says the Lord, let my people go that they may serve me” (00:01).
  • Pharaoh’s Resistance: Despite the devastation caused by the frogs invading homes and livestock, Pharaoh remains obstinate, leading to temporary relief when he promises to relent.

• Plague of Gnats (Exodus 8:16-19):

  • Divine Instruction: Moses instructs Aaron to “stretch out your staff over the rivers” to summon gnats, overwhelming Egypt (02:05).
  • Magicians’ Attempt: Egyptian magicians replicate the phenomenon with their “secret arts,” but fail to intensify the plague, underscoring the superiority of God’s power.

• Plague of Flies (Exodus 8:20-32):

  • Moses’ Plea: Pharaoh’s begrudging agreement is short-lived as Moses warns of a severe plague of flies, which rapidly devastates Egypt while sparing the Israelites’ region, Goshen (03:15).
  • Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart: After experiencing the plague and its withdrawal, Pharaoh hardens his heart once more, refusing to let the Israelites go.

• Plague on Livestock (Exodus 9:1-7):

  • Targeting Egypt’s Wealth: God declares a plague that will strike the Egyptian livestock, differentiating between the possessions of the Israelites and Egyptians (04:38).
  • Pharaoh’s Continued Stubbornness: Even after losing his livestock, Pharaoh remains unyielding, demonstrating his hardened resolve.

• Plague of Boils (Exodus 9:8-12):

  • Manifestation of Divine Wrath: Moses is instructed to use soot to bring about boils on Egyptians and their animals, an affliction the magicians cannot replicate, leading Pharaoh to realize the severity yet still perpetuate his resistance (05:47).

• Plague of Hail (Exodus 9:13-35):

  • Unprecedented Destruction: A devastating hailstorm, unparalleled in Egyptian history, ravages the land, sparing only Goshen where the Israelites reside (07:30).
  • Pharaoh’s anointment and Relapse: Faced with the catastrophe, Pharaoh acknowledges God's authority and promises to release the Israelites, but soon after, he retracts his vow, hardening his heart again (08:46).

Key Insights:

• Divine Sovereignty: The series of plagues demonstrate God’s absolute authority over nature and Egyptian deities.
• Human Stubbornness: Pharaoh’s repeated hardening of his heart serves as a study in obstinance against divine will.
• Distinction of God’s People: The protection of the Israelites amidst the plagues underscores God’s special relationship with His chosen people.

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Psalm 29: A Psalm of David

Psalm 29: The Majesty of God’s Voice Jackie transitions to Psalm 29, a lyrical celebration of God’s transcendent power and majesty. The Psalmist, David, invites heavenly beings to ascribe glory to the Lord, describing the divine voice’s overwhelming presence in nature and human affairs.

• Call to Worship:

  • “Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe glory to the Lord” (09:14).
  • The Psalm emphasizes worship and recognition of God's supreme power.

• Imagery of God’s Power:

  • “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars” (09:17) and “flames of fire” illustrate the formidable and awe-inspiring nature of God.
  • “He makes Lebanon skip like a calf” conveys the gentleness underlying His mighty actions.

• God’s Sovereignty in Nature:

  • The Psalm portrays God reigning over the floods and commanding the wilderness, demonstrating His dominion over all creation.

• Conclusion – Eternal Reign:

  • “The Lord sits enthroned as king forever” (10:03), affirming God’s eternal sovereignty and unchanging nature.

Key Insights:

• Worship through Nature: The Psalm connects natural phenomena with divine glory, encouraging believers to see God’s hand in the world around them.
• Majesty and Power: Emphasizes the awe-inspiring aspects of God, fostering a sense of reverence and adoration.
• Eternal Kingship: Reinforces the concept of God’s everlasting rule, providing comfort and assurance of His unending presence.

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New Testament Reading: Gospel of Mark 8

Mark 8: Miracles, Teachings, and Confessions

Jackie Hill Perry delves into Mark 8, a chapter rich with Jesus’ miracles, significant teachings, and the pivotal confession of Peter.

• Feeding the Four Thousand (Mark 8:1-10):

  • Compassion for the Crowd: Jesus demonstrates His compassion by feeding a large multitude with seven loaves and a few small fish, resulting in seven baskets of leftovers (10:12).
  • Miraculous Provision: This miracle underscores Jesus’ ability to provide abundantly, reinforcing His divine authority and compassion.

• Request for a Sign from Heaven (Mark 8:11-13):

  • Pharisees Demand a Sign: The Pharisees challenge Jesus to perform a miraculous sign, testing His authority (11:16).
  • Jesus’ Rebuke: Jesus expresses frustration, “Why does this generation seek a sign?” (11:19), highlighting the spiritual blindness and unbelief prevalent among them.

• Warning Against the Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod (Mark 8:14-21):

  • Symbolic Teaching: Jesus warns His disciples to beware of the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Herod, symbolizing corrupting influences and false teachings (11:36).
  • Encouragement to Remember: He urges them to recall previous miracles as evidence of His divine mission and to recognize the threats posed by hypocrisy and deceit.

• Healing a Blind Man in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26):

  • Gradual Healing: Jesus heals a blind man in two stages, first allowing him to see people as “trees walking,” then restoring full vision (12:28).
  • Spiritual Insight: This miracle serves as an allegory for spiritual enlightenment, illustrating the progressive nature of understanding and faith.

• Peter’s Confession of Christ (Mark 8:27-30):

  • Identity of Jesus: Jesus questions His disciples about His identity, leading Peter to declare, “You are the Christ” (12:47).
  • Foundation of Faith: This confession is pivotal, affirming Jesus as the Messiah and solidifying the foundation of Christian belief.

• Foretelling His Suffering and Death (Mark 8:31-33):

  • Jesus Predicts His Death: He openly discusses the necessity of His suffering, rejection, and resurrection (13:15).
  • Conflict with Peter: Peter’s attempt to rebuke Jesus results in Jesus admonishing him as “Satan,” emphasizing the importance of divine purpose over human understanding (13:17).

• Teaching on Discipleship (Mark 8:34-38):

  • Call to Self-Denial: Jesus instructs, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (13:48).
  • Eternal Perspective: He underscores the futility of gaining worldly gain at the expense of one’s soul, encouraging a commitment to spiritual truth over temporal success.

Key Insights:

• Divine Compassion and Provision: The miracles illustrate Jesus’ care for physical needs, reflecting His broader spiritual mission.
• Spiritual Clarity: The theme of sight and blindness permeates the chapter, symbolizing the varying levels of spiritual awareness among individuals.
• Identity and Mission: Peter’s confession and Jesus’ subsequent teachings highlight the essential understanding of Jesus’ role as Savior and the cost of discipleship.
• Resistance and Rejection: The Pharisees’ demand for signs and Pharaoh’s hardened heart in Exodus parallel the recurring human resistance to divine authority.

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Notable Quotes

1. Moses’ Declaration to Pharaoh:

   • “Thus says the Lord, let my people go that they may serve me” (00:01).

2. Description of God’s Voice in Psalm 29:

   • “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars” (09:17).

3. Jesus on Seeking Signs:

   • “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation” (11:19).

4. Peter’s Confession:

   • “You are the Christ” (12:47).

5. Call to Discipleship:

   • “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (13:48).

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Conclusion

In this episode, Jackie Hill Perry meticulously guides listeners through pivotal Scripture passages that highlight themes of divine authority, human resistance, compassion, and the profound call to discipleship. The readings from Exodus chronicle the relentless efforts of God to liberate His people, demonstrating both His power and patience amidst human obstinance. Psalm 29 offers a poetic reflection on God’s majestic presence in creation, inviting worship and awe. Mark 8 brings the narrative into the New Testament, showcasing Jesus’ miraculous deeds, intimate teachings, and the foundational recognition of His messianic identity. Together, these readings encourage listeners to reflect on God’s sovereignty, the importance of recognizing His works, and the transformative journey of faith that calls for unwavering commitment and understanding.

Transcript

[Moses]

A reading from the Book of Exodus. Then the Lord said to Moses, go unto Pharaoh and say to him, thus says the Lord, let my people go that they may serve me. But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed.

[Pharaoh]

And into the houses of your servants.

[Moses]

And your people and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants.

[Pharaoh]

And the Lord said to Moses, say.

[Moses]

To Aaron, stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, over the.

[Pharaoh]

Canals and over the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.

[Moses]

So Aaron stretched out his hand over.

[Pharaoh]

The waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. But the magicians did the same by.

[Moses]

Their secret arts and made frogs come.

[Pharaoh]

Up on the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called to Moses and Aaron and said, plead with the Lord to.

[Moses]

Take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord. Moses said to Pharaoh, be pleased to.

[Pharaoh]

Command me when I am to plead.

[Moses]

For you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you in your houses.

[Pharaoh]

And be left only in the Nile. And he said, tomorrow.

[Moses]

Moses said, be it as you say.

[Pharaoh]

So that you may know that there.

[Moses]

Is no one like the Lord our God. The frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people.

[Pharaoh]

They shall be left only in the Nile.

[Moses]

So Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh.

[Pharaoh]

And Moses cried to the Lord about.

[Moses]

The frogs as he had agreed with Pharaoh.

[Pharaoh]

And the Lord did, according to the.

[Moses]

Word of Moses, the frogs died out in the houses, the courtyards and the fields.

[Pharaoh]

And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. But when Pharaoh saw that there was.

[Moses]

A respite, he hardened his heart and.

[Pharaoh]

Would not listen to them as the Lord had said.

[Moses]

Then the Lord said to Moses, say to Aaron, stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth so.

[Pharaoh]

That it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt. And they did so.

[Moses]

Aaron stretched out his hand with his.

[Pharaoh]

Staff and struck the dust of the earth. And there were gnats on man and beast.

[Moses]

All the dust of the earth became.

[Pharaoh]

Gnats in all the land of Egypt. The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast.

[Moses]

Then the magicians Said to Pharaoh, this is the finger of God. But Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he.

[Pharaoh]

Would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

[Moses]

Then the Lord said to Moses, rise up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh as he goes out.

[Pharaoh]

To the water and say to him.

[Moses]

Thus says the Lord, let my people go that they may serve me.

[Pharaoh]

Or else, if you will not let.

[Moses]

My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants and your people and into your houses.

[Pharaoh]

And the houses of the Egyptians shall.

[Moses]

Be filled with swarms of flies and.

[Pharaoh]

Also the ground on which they stand.

[Moses]

But on that day, I will set apart the land of Goshen where my people dwell, so that no swarms of.

[Pharaoh]

Flies shall be there that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. Thus I will put a division between.

[Moses]

My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.

[Pharaoh]

And the Lord did so. There came great swarms of flies into.

[Moses]

The house of Pharaoh and into his servants houses throughout all the land of Egypt.

[Pharaoh]

The land was ruined by the swarms of flies. Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and.

[Moses]

Said, go sacrifice to your God within the land.

[Pharaoh]

But Moses said, it would not be.

[Moses]

Right to do so, for the offerings we shall sacrifice to the Lord our God are an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice offerings abominable to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not stone us? We must go three days journey into.

[Pharaoh]

The wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as he tells us.

[Moses]

So Pharaoh said, I will let you go to sacrifice to the Lord your.

[Pharaoh]

God in the wilderness only.

[Moses]

You must not go very far away.

[Pharaoh]

Plead for me. Then Moses said, behold, I am going out from you, and I will plead with the Lord that the swarms of.

[Moses]

Flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow.

[Pharaoh]

Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by.

[Moses]

Not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord. So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord and the Lord did as Moses asked and removed the swarm of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people.

[Pharaoh]

Not one remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time.

[Moses]

Also and did not let the people go. Then the Lord said to Moses, go.

[Pharaoh]

In to Pharaoh and say to him.

[Moses]

Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, let my people go that they may serve me. For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, behold, the.

[Pharaoh]

Hand of the Lord will fall with a very severe plague upon your livestock that are in the field. The horses, the donkeys, the camels, the.

[Moses]

Herds and the flocks. But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.

[Pharaoh]

And the Lord set a time saying, tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land. And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died.

[Moses]

But not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died.

[Pharaoh]

And Pharaoh sent.

[Moses]

And behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

[Pharaoh]

And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, take handfuls of soot from the.

[Moses]

Kiln and let Moses throw them in the air. In the sight of Pharaoh, it shall.

[Pharaoh]

Become fine dust over all the land of Egypt and become boils breaking out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt. So they took soot from the kiln.

[Moses]

And stood before Pharaoh.

[Pharaoh]

And Moses threw it in the air, and it became boils breaking out in sores on man and beast. And the magicians could not stand before.

[Moses]

Moses because of the boils.

[Pharaoh]

For the boils came upon the magicians.

[Moses]

And upon all the Egyptians. But the Lord hardened the heart of.

[Pharaoh]

Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

[Moses]

Then the Lord said to Moses, rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh and say to him, thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews. Let my people go that they may serve me.

[Pharaoh]

For this time I will send all.

[Moses]

My plagues on you, yourself and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. For by now I could have put.

[Pharaoh]

Out my hand and struck you and.

[Moses]

Your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose, I have raised you up to show you my power.

[Pharaoh]

So that my name may be proclaimed.

[Moses]

In all the earth. You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go. Behold, about this time tomorrow, I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from.

[Pharaoh]

The day it was founded until now. Now, therefore, send.

[Moses]

Get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter.

[Pharaoh]

For every man and beast that is.

[Moses]

In the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them.

[Pharaoh]

Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried.

[Moses]

His slaves and his livestock into the houses.

[Pharaoh]

But whoever did not pay attention to.

[Moses]

The word of the Lord left his slaves and his livestock in the field.

[Pharaoh]

Then the Lord said to Moses, stretch.

[Moses]

Out your hand toward heaven so that.

[Pharaoh]

There may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field in the land of Egypt.

[Moses]

Then Moses stretched out his staff toward.

[Pharaoh]

Heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and.

[Moses]

Hail and fire ran down to the earth.

[Pharaoh]

And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

[Moses]

There was hail and fire flashing continually.

[Pharaoh]

In the midst of the hailvery heavy.

[Moses]

Hail, such as had never been in.

[Pharaoh]

All the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

[Moses]

The hail struck down everything that was.

[Pharaoh]

In the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast.

[Moses]

And the hail struck down every plant of the field and broke every tree of the field.

[Pharaoh]

Only in the land of Goshen, where.

[Moses]

The people of Israel were, was there no hail.

[Pharaoh]

Then Pharaoh sent and called Moses and Aaron and said to them, this time I have sinned. The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.

[Moses]

Plead with the Lord, for there has.

[Pharaoh]

Been enough of God's thunder and hail.

[Moses]

I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.

[Pharaoh]

Moses said to him, as soon as I have gone out of the city.

[Moses]

I will stretch out my hands to the Lord.

[Pharaoh]

The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the Lord's. But as for you and your servants.

[Moses]

I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God. The flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the.

[Pharaoh]

Ear and the flax was in bud. But the wheat and the emmer were.

[Moses]

Not struck down, for they are late in coming up. So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands.

[Pharaoh]

To the Lord and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth. But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

[Moses]

So the heart of Pharaoh was hardened.

[Pharaoh]

And he did not let the people of Israel go. Just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.

[Moses]

A reading from the Book of Psalms, a psalm of David.

[David]

Ascribe to the Lord.

[Moses]

O heavenly beings.

[David]

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters. The God of glory thunders the Lord over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars. The Lord breaks The cedars of Lebanon he makes Lebanon to skip like a.

[Moses]

Calf and Syrian like a young wild.

[David]

Ox the voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh the Lord the voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forest bare and in his temple all cry glory. The Lord sits enthroned over the flood the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his.

[Jesus]

People May the Lord bless his people with peace.

[Moses]

A reading of the Gospel According to Mark.

[Jesus]

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered and they had nothing to eat. He called his disciples to him and said to them, I have compassion on the crowd. Because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away. And his disciples answered him, how can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place? And he asked them, how many loaves do you have? They said, seven.

[Pharaoh]

And.

[Disciple]

And he directed the crowd to sit.

[Jesus]

Down on the ground.

[Disciple]

And he took the seven loaves.

[Jesus]

And having given thanks, he broke them. And gave them to his disciples to set before the people. And they set them before the crowd.

[Moses]

And they had a few small fish.

[Jesus]

And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over. Seven baskets full. And there were about 4,000 people. And he sent them away. And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples. And went to the district of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees came and began to argue with him.

[Disciple]

Seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.

[Jesus]

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation. And he left them, got into the boat again and went to the other side. Now they had forgotten to bring bread. And they had only one loaf with.

[Disciple]

Them in the boat.

[Jesus]

And he cautioned them, saying, watch out. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.

[Pharaoh]

And the leaven of Herod.

[Jesus]

And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.

[Disciple]

And Jesus, aware of this, said to.

[Jesus]

Them, why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? They said to him, 12. And the seven for the 4,000, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? And they said to him, seven. And he said to them, do you not yet understand? And they came to Bethsaida.

[Disciple]

And some people brought to him a.

[Jesus]

Blind man and begged him to touch him.

[Disciple]

And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village.

[Jesus]

And when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, do you see anything? And he looked up and said, I see people, but they look like trees walking.

[Disciple]

Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again, and he opened his eyes.

[Jesus]

His sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

[Disciple]

And he sent him to his home.

[Jesus]

Saying, do not even enter the village. And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea, Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, who do people say that I am? And they told him, john the Baptist and others, say Elijah and others, one of the prophets. And he asked them, but who do you say that I am? Peter answered him, you are the Christ. And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. And he began to teach them that.

[Disciple]

The Son of Man must suffer many.

[Jesus]

Things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, get behind me, Satan, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man. And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

[Disciple]

For whoever would save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my.

[Jesus]

Sake and the Gospel's will, save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in.

[Moses]

Return for his soul?

[Disciple]

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and.

[Moses]

Sinful generation of him, will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father.

[Jesus]

With the holy angels?