Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: February 9 (Exodus 24–25; Psalm 37:1–22; Mark 16)
Date: February 9, 2026
Podcast Host: Crossway

Episode Overview

This episode features daily scripture readings from the ESV Bible as part of a year-long journey through the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms. The readings focus on significant moments in biblical history:

• The covenant at Mount Sinai and the building of the tabernacle (Exodus 24–25)
• David’s exhortation to trust God amidst evil (Psalm 37:1–22)
• The resurrection of Jesus and his final instructions to the disciples (Mark 16)

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Exodus 24–25: The Covenant and Tabernacle

• Invitation to the Mountain:
  • God calls Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders to worship at a distance, but only Moses may draw near (00:10).
  • The people affirm their commitment to obey God’s words:

    “All the words that the Lord has spoken, we will do.” (00:17)

• Covenant Ceremony:
  • Moses builds an altar with 12 pillars, representing the tribes of Israel.
  • Sacrifices are offered, and Moses sprinkles blood on the people, declaring:

    “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” (00:40)

• A Vision of God:
  • Moses, Aaron, their sons, and the elders ascend and see a manifestation of God's presence—“a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness” (00:52).
  • They eat and drink in God’s presence:

    “They beheld God and ate and drank.” (00:57)

• Instructions for the Tabernacle:
  • God gives Moses detailed instructions for offerings to build a sanctuary so He may dwell among His people (01:07).
  • Items described include the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat with cherubim, a table for the bread of Presence, and the golden lampstand (menorah).
• Purpose of the Tabernacle:

  “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” (01:14)

  • God establishes precise patterns for worship and His manifest presence.

Memorable Moment

• The cloud covers Mount Sinai for six days. On the seventh, God calls Moses from the cloud. Moses enters and remains there forty days and nights, emphasizing the sacredness and gravity of receiving God's law (01:02–01:05).

2. Psalm 37:1–22: Trust in the Lord Amidst Evildoers

• Main Themes:
  • Do not envy or be anxious because of evildoers; their prosperity is fleeting (01:40). -Instructions for the righteous:
    • Trust in the Lord
    • Do good
    • Delight in the Lord
    • Commit your way to Him (01:43–01:52)
• God’s Assurance:

  “He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.” (01:52)
  “The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” (01:56)

• Ultimately:
  • The wicked may appear prosperous, but their end is destruction. The righteous, though they may have little, are upheld and blessed by God.

  “Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.” (02:11)

3. Mark 16: The Resurrection of Jesus

• The Empty Tomb:
  • On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and others find the stone rolled away and are greeted by a young man in a white robe who proclaims:

    “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here.” (02:32)

• The Risen Jesus Appears:
  • Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene. The disciples are slow to believe the women's testimony (02:46–02:48).
  • Jesus later appears to two disciples on the road and finally to the eleven, rebuking them for their unbelief:

    “He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen.” (02:54)

• The Great Commission:

  “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (02:58)

  • Jesus promises miraculous signs for those who believe—casting out demons, speaking new tongues, and healing the sick.
• The Ascension:
  • Jesus is taken up into heaven and sits at the right hand of God (03:06).
• The Early Church’s Mission:
  • The disciples obey, preaching everywhere, with the Lord confirming their message through signs (03:10).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

Exodus

• “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” (00:40)
• “Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” (01:14)

Psalm

• “Trust in the Lord, and do good. Dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” (01:43)
• “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” (01:54)
• “Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.” (02:11)

Mark

• “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here.” (02:32)
• “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (02:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Exodus 24–25: The Covenant and Tabernacle
  00:01 – 01:38
• Psalm 37:1–22
  01:40 – 02:18
• Mark 16: The Resurrection and The Great Commission
  02:19 – 03:13

Conclusion

This episode intertwines God’s glory and covenant faithfulness in Exodus, wisdom and trust in God from the Psalms, and the hope and mission driven by Christ’s resurrection in Mark. Each segment reinforces the continuity of God's redemptive plan and the call for His people to worship, trust, and spread the gospel to all creation.