February 4 (Exodus 13–14; Psalm 32; Mark 11)

Summary

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Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: February 4 (Exodus 13–14; Psalm 32; Mark 11)
Date: February 4, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of “Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry” centers on God’s miraculous deliverance and faithfulness. The readings span Exodus 13–14 (the exodus from Egypt and crossing of the Red Sea), Psalm 32 (the blessedness of forgiveness), and Mark 11 (Jesus’ triumphal entry, the cleansing of the temple, the withered fig tree, and a profound teaching on prayer and forgiveness). The tone is reverent, focused on the text, and meant to encourage reflection and a deeper understanding of God’s work throughout scripture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exodus 13–14: Deliverance and God’s Glory ([00:01–07:39])

• Consecration of the Firstborn

  • God commands Moses to consecrate every firstborn of Israel, both man and animal:
    “Consecrate to me all the firstborn… whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.” (00:01)
  • Significance: Remembrance of God’s deliverance from Egypt and a lasting ordinance for future generations.

• Unleavened Bread and Remembrance

  • Moses instructs the people to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread as a sign of God’s mighty deliverance:
    “You shall tell your son…it is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.” (02:49)
  • The Passover is meant to foster generational memory and faith.

• The Lord Guides & Protects

  • God leads Israel through the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night ([03:55]).

• Crossing the Red Sea

  • Pharaoh pursues Israel after a change of heart; Israel faces fear and doubt:
    “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (05:33)
  • Moses’ assurance:
    “Fear not. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today…” (05:49)
  • God works a miracle: The sea divides, Israel crosses on dry land, and the pursuing Egyptians are destroyed ([06:44–07:28]).
  • Culmination:
    “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians… the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.” (07:34)

2. Psalm 32: Blessedness of Forgiveness ([07:39–08:51])

• The Joy of Forgiveness

  • David reflects:
    “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (07:39)
  • The psalm acknowledges both the agony of hidden sin and the relief of confession.

• Confession and Instruction

  • Notable line:
    “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (07:58)
  • God as protector:
    “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” (08:12)

• Instruction for the Listener

  • God counsels His people to accept guidance and avoid stubbornness:
    “Be not like a horse or mule without understanding…” (08:27)
  • The psalm closes with a call to joyous trust:
    “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” (08:47)

3. Mark 11: The King Arrives ([08:51–End])

• The Triumphal Entry

  • Jesus’ deliberate fulfillment of prophecy by riding a colt into Jerusalem:
    “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (09:40)
  • The crowd recognizes Jesus as king and the promised Messiah.

• Cursing of the Fig Tree

  • Jesus seeks fruit on a fig tree, finds none, and curses it ([09:54–10:10]).
    • Symbolism: a warning about fruitless religiosity.

• Cleansing the Temple

  • Jesus drives out commerce from the temple:
    “Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.” (10:30)
  • The religious leaders are threatened by his authority:
    “The chief priests and scribes…were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.” (10:34)

• The Withered Fig Tree & Teaching on Faith

  • The disciples see the withered fig tree, and Jesus underscores the power of faith and prayer:
    “Have faith in God…whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart…but believes…it will be done for him.” (11:00)
  • Jesus highlights both the necessity of faith and the requirement of forgiveness:
    “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father…may forgive you…” (11:11)

• Questioned Authority

  • Religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority. He responds with a probing question about John the Baptist, exposing their motives ([11:58–12:01]).
  • His answer:
    “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (12:01)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Moses to Israel at the Red Sea:
  “Fear not. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today… The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” — Moses, (05:49)

• Psalm 32’s Blessing:
  “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” — David, (07:39)

• Jesus on the Temple:
  “Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.” — Jesus, (10:30)

• Jesus on Prayer & Faith:
  “Have faith in God… whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Jesus, (11:00–11:11)

• Jesus Silencing His Accusers:
  “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” — Jesus, (12:01)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Exodus 13–14: Consecration & Red Sea | | 05:49 | Moses: “Fear not… The Lord will fight…” | | 07:39 | Psalm 32: Blessing of forgiveness | | 08:51 | Mark 11: Triumphal entry | | 10:30 | Jesus Cleanses the Temple | | 11:00 | Withered fig tree; teaching on faith | | 11:58 | Jesus questioned by religious leaders | | 12:01 | Jesus: “Neither will I tell you…” |

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Summary & Takeaways

This episode showcases the thread of God’s saving power, from the Old Testament rescue at the Red Sea, to the deep blessedness of forgiveness in the Psalms, to Jesus’ authority and call for true faith and repentance in the Gospels. The readings encourage listeners to:

• Remember God’s faithfulness in the past
• Rejoice in forgiveness
• Pursue authentic faith and prayer
• Courageously trust God’s promises, even when facing obstacles

It’s a compelling journey through the heart of scripture’s redemptive story, inviting the audience to reflect on God’s power, presence, and perfect plan.

Transcript

[Narrator/Reader]

A reading from the book of Exodus. The Lord said to Moses, consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast is mine. Then Moses said to the people, remember this day in which you came out from Egypt out of the house of slavery. For by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. Today. In the month of Abib, you are going out. And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service. In this month, seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. And on the seventh day, there shall be a feast to the Lord. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days. No leavened bread shall be seen with you. And no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. You shall tell your son on that day it is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt. And it shall be to you, as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time, from year to year. When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites as He swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord's. Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb. Or if you will not redeem it, you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. And when in time to come, your son asked you, what does this mean? You shall say to him, By a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt from the house of slavery. For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first opened the womb. But all the firstborn of my sons I redeem. It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes. For by a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt. But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness, toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt, equipped for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him. For Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here. And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of PI Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of BAAL Zephen, you shall encamp facing it by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, they are wandering in the land, the wilderness has shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. And they did so. When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people. And they said, what is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him and took 600 chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and and he pursued the people of Israel. While the people of Israel were going out defiantly, the Egyptians pursued them all, Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army and overtook them, encamped at the sea by PI Hahireth in front of BAAL Zephon. When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, they said to Moses, is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians, for it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness. And Moses said to the people, fear not. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today, for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. The Lord said to Moses, why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them. And I will get glory over Pharaoh and. And all his host, his chariots and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen. Then the angel of God, who was going before the host of Israel, moved and went behind them. And the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night when without one coming near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. And the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and his horsemen. And. And in the morning watch, the Lord and the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians. Then the Lord said to Moses, stretch out your hand over the sea that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and upon their horsemen. So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen. Of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians. And Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. A reading from the Book of Psalms. A maskal of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

[Jesus]

For when I kept silent, my bones.

[Narrator/Reader]

Wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me.

[Jesus]

My strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

[Narrator/Reader]

Selah. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord and you forgave the.

[Jesus]

Iniquity of my sin.

[Narrator/Reader]

Selah.

[Jesus]

Therefore, let everyone who is godly offer.

[Narrator/Reader]

Prayer to you at a time when you may be found. Surely in the rush of great waters they shall not reach him.

[Jesus]

You are a hiding place for me.

[Narrator/Reader]

You preserve me from trouble. You surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy all you upright in heart, a reading of the Gospel according to Mark.

[Jesus]

Now, when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, go into.

[Narrator/Reader]

The village in front of you, and.

[Jesus]

Immediately as you enter it, you will find a colt tied on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, why are you doing this? Say the Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately. And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street. And they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, what are you doing untying the colt? And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it. And he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road. And others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the.

[Narrator/Reader]

Name of the Lord.

[Jesus]

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our Father David. Hosanna in the highest. And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the 12. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree and leaf. He went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, may no one ever eat fruit from you again. And his disciples heard it, and they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple.

[Narrator/Reader]

And he overturned the tables of the.

[Jesus]

Money changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, is it not written, my.

[Narrator/Reader]

House shall be called a house of.

[Jesus]

Prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers. And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him. For they feared him. Because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came, they went out of the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, rabbi, look. The fig tree that you cursed has withered. And Jesus answered him, have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain be taken up and thrown into the sea. And does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.

[Narrator/Reader]

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask.

[Jesus]

In prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone. So that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses. And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him. And they said to him, by what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them? Jesus said to them, I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me. And they discussed it with one another saying, if we say from heaven, he will say, when? Why then did you not believe him? But shall we say from man? They were afraid of the people, for.

[Narrator/Reader]

They all held that John really was a prophet.

[Jesus]

So they answered, jesus, we do not know. And Jesus said to them, neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.