Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: February 5 (Exodus 15–16; Psalm 33; Mark 12)
Host: Crossway
Date: February 5, 2026

Main Theme

This episode presents daily readings from Exodus 15–16 (the Israelites' song of deliverance and provision in the wilderness), Psalm 33 (praise of God's sovereignty and steadfast love), and Mark 12 (Jesus' parables, teachings, and wisdom in Jerusalem). The uniting theme is God’s faithfulness to His people—delivering, sustaining, and calling them to a response of wholehearted love, trust, and worship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exodus 15–16: Song of Deliverance and Manna in the Wilderness

a. Praise for God’s Triumph (00:01–03:00)

• The Song of Moses and the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea highlights God’s power over Egypt, His uniqueness, and His steadfast love.
  • “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (00:15)
  • God is depicted as Israel’s warrior and redeemer, distinguishing His majesty from all other so-called gods.
  • God’s deliverance leads to overwhelming joy and public praise:
    “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? … Majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (02:10)

b. Miriam’s Leadership (03:05)

• Miriam, Moses’ sister, leads the women in celebratory worship with tambourines and dancing, echoing God’s triumph.

c. Learning to Trust in the Wilderness (03:30–14:50)

• Provision and Testing at Marah:
  • The Israelites, three days without water, complain about Marah’s bitterness. Moses, following God’s instruction, sweetens the water with a log (04:00).
  • God establishes a test and promise:
    “If you will diligently listen … I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord your healer.” (05:00)
• Manna and Quail:
  • The people's hunger and grumbling prompt God to miraculously provide bread from heaven (manna) and quail.
  • This section emphasizes God's patient care—daily provision and instructions to depend on Him.
    • “In the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord.” (08:10)
  • Gathering only enough for each day underscores reliance on God.
  • The Sabbath command is introduced—double bread on the sixth day, none on the seventh, teaching rest and obedience.
• Legacy of Provision:
  • Manna sustains Israel for 40 years, with a preserved jar as a testimony to future generations (14:20).

2. Psalm 33: Worship in Light of God’s Sovereignty (14:55–16:30)

• The psalmist calls for exuberant music and gratitude (15:00), declaring God’s reliability and His creation by the power of His word:
  • “For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.” (15:11)
• God “frustrates the plans of the peoples” but His counsel “stands forever” (15:40).
• Salvation comes not from might or armies, but from God alone:
  • “The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.” (16:10)
• God cares for those who “fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love” (16:20).
• The psalm closes with trust and a prayer for God’s continued love and protection.

3. Mark 12: Jesus’ Wisdom & the Greatest Commandment (16:35–32:00)

a. Parable of the Tenants (16:40–18:30)

• Jesus tells a pointed story against the religious leaders: Tenants violently reject the vineyard owner’s servants and son, representing Israel's rejection of prophets and Jesus Himself.
  • “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (18:00)

b. Challenges from Religious Leaders (18:40–25:00)

• Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus on taxes to Caesar:
  • Jesus’ iconic response:
    “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (21:10)
• Sadducees, denying resurrection, test Jesus with a trick question, but He corrects them:
  • “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?” (23:10)
  • Affirms resurrection and the living nature of God: “He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” (24:00)

c. The Greatest Commandments (25:05–27:00)

• A scribe asks Jesus to name the most important commandment.
  • Jesus replies: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (25:40)
  • The scribe agrees and adds that love is “much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (26:30)
  • Jesus affirms, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (26:50)

d. Teachings on David’s Lord, True Religion, and Generosity (27:10–32:00)

• Jesus questions how the Messiah can be David’s son and Lord (27:30).
• Warns against ostentatious, self-serving religious leaders (29:00):
  • “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes ... who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
• Observes giving at the temple:
  • The poor widow who gives “two small copper coins”—all she had—gives more than the wealthy, because she gives “out of her poverty ... all she had to live on.” (31:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Moses, after crossing the Red Sea:
  “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (00:15)
• On daily provision:
  “Morning by morning, they gathered it, each as much as he could eat.” (13:30)
• On God’s salvation:
  “The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.” (Psalm 33, 16:10)
• Jesus, on taxes and God’s authority:
  “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (21:10)
• On resurrection:
  “He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” (24:00)
• On the greatest commandment:
  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart ... The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (25:40)
• On true generosity:
  “This poor widow has put in more ... she, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (31:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 — Exodus Reading: Song of Moses and Red Sea Miracle
• 03:05 — Miriam’s Leadership in Worship
• 04:00 — The Waters of Marah: Bitterness and Provision
• 07:20 — Manna and Quail: Divine Daily Bread
• 14:55 — Psalm 33 Reading: Call to Praise and Trust
• 16:35 — Mark 12 Reading: Parable of the Tenants
• 21:10 — Jesus' Teaching on Taxes and God’s Authority
• 23:10 — Jesus on Resurrection and God of the Living
• 25:40 — The Greatest Commandment
• 29:00 — Warning Against Religious Hypocrisy
• 31:40 — The Widow’s Offering

Conclusion

This episode weaves together three scriptural sections that all spotlight God’s character—His saving power, faithful provision, and expectation of genuine love and justice from His people. It calls listeners to respond with gratitude, trust, and a life that reflects God’s own generosity and love.