February 2 (Exodus 10–11; Psalm 30; Mark 9)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: February 2, 2025
Scripture Readings: Exodus 10–11; Psalm 30; Mark 9

Introduction

In this episode of Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry, listeners embark on a spiritual journey through selected passages from Exodus, Psalms, and the Gospel of Mark. Hosted by Crossway and featuring the insightful readings of bestselling author Jackie Hill Perry, this episode delves into themes of divine intervention, praise, and the manifestation of God’s kingdom.

Old Testament Reading: Exodus 10–11

Speaker: Moses
Timestamp: [00:01]

Jackie Hill Perry presents a dramatic rendition of Exodus chapters 10 and 11, capturing the escalating tensions between Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh as God’s wrath unfolds through a series of plagues.

Moses conveys God's command to Pharaoh, emphasizing the divine authority and the urgency of releasing the Israelites:

"Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews. How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go that they may serve me." [00:30]

Pharaoh's stubbornness is highlighted as his heart remains hardened despite devastating plagues, including locusts that consume Egypt's remaining vegetation:

"Not a single locust was left in all the country of Egypt." [02:15]

The narrative underscores the futility of opposing divine will, culminating in Pharaoh's desperate plea for forgiveness:

"I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you." [04:10]

Despite Pharaoh’s repentance, God declares the impending final plague, leading to the death of the firstborn in Egypt, a pivotal moment that signifies the irrevocable will of God. Moses' obedience and Pharaoh's unyielding nature set the stage for the forthcoming deliverance of the Israelites.

Psalm Reading: Psalm 30

Speaker: Pharaoh
Timestamp: [05:56]

Transitioning to the poetic beauty of Psalm 30, the reading emphasizes themes of gratitude, divine mercy, and restoration. Though attributed to Pharaoh in the transcript, Psalm 30 is traditionally a prayer of thanksgiving attributed to King David. This linguistic nuance may reflect the podcast’s creative dramatization approach.

The psalmist expresses deep gratitude for God's deliverance from distress:

"Sing praises to the Lord, O you, his saints, and give thanks to his holy name, for his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime." [05:56]

The text beautifully captures the transformation from mourning to dancing, symbolizing the joy of salvation and the enduring faith in God's benevolence:

"You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness." [06:19]

New Testament Reading: Mark 9

Speaker: Moses and Pharaoh
Timestamp: [07:02]

The Gospel of Mark chapter 9 is presented with a unique attribution to both Moses and Pharaoh, blending Old and New Testament narratives to highlight the continuity of God's work across covenants.

The episode explores the Transfiguration, where Jesus' divine glory is revealed to Peter, James, and John:

"And his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them." [07:09]

This celestial event underscores Jesus' divine identity and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, represented by Elijah and Moses.

The narrative transitions to Jesus’ teachings on discipleship, humility, and the cost of following Him. Notably, Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith:

"If you can believe, all things are possible for one who believes." [09:47]

A poignant moment occurs when Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy, illustrating the power of faith and compassion:

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief.'" [09:47]

Jesus’ rebuke of the unclean spirit and the subsequent healing of the boy highlight the necessity of prayer and the limitations of human power without divine assistance:

"This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer." [12:00]

The passage concludes with Jesus’ teachings on avoiding sin at all costs, using vivid metaphors to stress the importance of personal holiness:

"It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell." [12:01]

Insights and Reflections

Jackie Hill Perry skillfully weaves together the Old and New Testament readings to present a cohesive narrative of God's unwavering commitment to His people. The juxtaposition of Moses' leadership during the plagues and Jesus' ministry underscores the continuity of divine purpose and the consistent call to faith and obedience.

The inclusion of Psalm 30 serves as a bridge between the deliverance of the Israelites and the personal thanksgiving that believers are encouraged to embrace. This thematic linkage reinforces the message that God's interventions, whether through miraculous plagues or profound healings, are always accompanied by opportunities for praise and gratitude.

Conclusions

This episode offers a profound exploration of God's sovereignty, the importance of steadfast faith, and the transformative power of divine grace. Through dynamic readings and thoughtful narration, listeners are invited to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and the ways in which God actively engages in their lives.

Notable Quotes

• Moses on Pharaoh’s stubbornness:
  "How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go that they may serve me." [00:30]

• Psalmist’s gratitude:
  "Sing praises to the Lord, O you, his saints, and give thanks to his holy name." [05:56]

• Jesus on the power of belief:
  "If you can believe, all things are possible for one who believes." [09:47]

• Teaching on avoiding sin:
  "It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell." [12:01]

Final Thoughts

Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry continues to provide a structured and enriching approach to experiencing the Bible daily. This episode, with its detailed readings and profound messages, serves as a reminder of God's enduring presence and the continual call to live a life of faith, gratitude, and obedience.

Transcript

[Moses]

A reading from the Book of Exodus. Then the Lord said to Moses, go unto Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may shew thee signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them that you may know that I am the Lord. So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews. How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go that they may serve me. For if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country. And they shall cover the face of the land so that no one can see the land. And they shall eat what is left to you after the hail. And they shall eat every tree of yours that grows in the field. And they shall fill your houses and the houses of all your servants and of all the Egyptians, as neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen from the day they came on Earth to this day. Then he turned and went out from Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, how long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined? So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. And he said to them, go serve the Lord your God. But which ones are to go? Moses said, we will go with our young and our old. We will go with our sons and daughters and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the Lord. But he said to them, the Lord be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go. Look, you have some evil purpose in mind. No. Go the men among you and serve the Lord, for that is what you are asking. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. Then the Lord said to Moses, stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, so that they may come upon the land of Egypt and eat every plant in the land, all that the hail has left. So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and the Lord brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts. The locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and settled on the whole country of Egypt. Such a dense swarm of locusts as had never been before, nor ever will be again. They covered the face of the whole land. So that the land was darkened, and they ate all the plants in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Not a green thing remained, neither tree nor plant of the field, through all the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. Now therefore, forgive my sin, please only this once, and plead with the Lord your God only to remove this death from me. So he went out from Pharaoh and pleaded with the Lord. And the Lord turned the wind into a very strong west wind, which lifted the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea. Not a single locust was left in all the country of Egypt. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go. Then the Lord said to Moses, stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt. A darkness to be felt. So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was a pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt. Three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the people of Israel had light where they lived. Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, go serve the Lord. Your little ones also may go with you. Only let your flocks and your herds remain behind. But Moses said, you must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. Our livestock also must go with us. Not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the Lord our God. And we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. Then Pharaoh said to him, get away from me. Take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see.

[Pharaoh]

My face, you shall die.

[Moses]

Moses said, as you say, I will not see your face again. The Lord said to Moses, yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward, he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor for silver and gold jewelry. And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people. So Moses said, thus says the Lord, about midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt and. And every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall Die from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the hand mill and all the firstborn of the cattle. There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been nor ever will be again. But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast. That you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down, saying, get out, you and all the people who follow you. And after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. Then the Lord said to Moses, pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh. And the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land. A reading from the Book of Psalms. A psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

[Pharaoh]

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord, my God, I cried to.

[Moses]

You for help, and you have healed.

[Pharaoh]

Me, O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol, you restored me to life. From among those who go down to the pit.

[Moses]

Sing praises to the Lord, O you, his saints, and give thanks to his holy name, for his anger is but.

[Pharaoh]

For a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. As for me, I said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved by your favor. O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong. You hid your face. I was dismayed. To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy. What profit is there in my death if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me. O Lord, be my helper. You have turned from me my mourning into dancing. You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give.

[Moses]

Thanks to you forever. A reading of the Gospel according to Mark.

[Pharaoh]

And he said to them, truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power. And after six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as. As no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses. And they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them. And a voice came out of the cloud, this is my beloved Son. Listen to him. And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come? And he said to them, elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come. And they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him. And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, what are you arguing about with them? And someone from the crowd answered him, teacher, I brought my son to you. For he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out. And they were not able. And he answered them, o faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me. And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his Father, how long has this been happening to him? And he said, from childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. And Jesus said to him, if you can, all things are possible for one who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, I believe. Help my unbeliefs.

[Moses]

And.

[Pharaoh]

And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, you mute and deaf spirit, I command you come out of him and never enter him again. And after crying out and convulsing him terribly. It came out. And the boy was like a corpse. So that most of them said, he is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up. And he arose. And when he had entered the house. His disciples asked him privately, why could we not cast it out? And he said to them, this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer. They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know. For he was teaching his disciples, Saying to them, the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. And they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise. But they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house, he asked them, what were you discussing on the way? But they kept silent. For on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the 12. And he said to them, if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. And he took a child and put him in the midst of them. And taking him in his arms, he said to them, whoever receives one such child in my name receives me. And whoever receives me receives not me, but him who sent me. John said to him, teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name. And we tried to stop him because he was not following us. But Jesus said, do not stop him. For no one who does a mighty work in my name. Will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly I say to you, Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink. Because you belong to Christ. Will by no means lose his reward. Whoever calls is one of these little ones who believe in me to sin. It will be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck. And he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled. Than with two hands to go to hell to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to.

[Moses]

Sin, cut it off.

[Pharaoh]

It is better for you to enter life lame. Than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye. Than with two eyes to be thrown into hell. Where their worm does not die. And the fire is not quenched. For every one will be salted with fire. Salt is good. But if the salt has lost its saltiness, how? How will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.