Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: January 31 (Exodus 6–7; Psalm 28; Mark 7)
Host: Crossway
Date: January 31, 2026

Overview:

This episode features daily Scripture readings from Exodus 6–7 (God’s promises and the first confrontation with Pharaoh), Psalm 28 (a psalm of petition and praise), and Mark 7 (Jesus’ teachings on tradition, inner purity, and miraculous healings). The readings highlight themes of deliverance, God’s covenant faithfulness, the distinction between human tradition and divine command, and Jesus’ compassion and authority.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exodus 6–7: God’s Promise of Deliverance and the Signs in Egypt

• God Reaffirms His Covenant
  • The Lord speaks to Moses underscoring His identity and faithfulness: “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty... I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel... I have remembered my covenant.” (00:01–01:11)
  • God promises: “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians… I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.” (00:52–01:11)
• Moses’ Doubt and Israel’s Despair
  • Moses is instructed to tell the people, but “they did not listen to Moses because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.” (01:13)
  • Moses hesitates, saying, “I am of uncircumcised lips. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me?” (01:13)
• Genealogical Context
  • A detailed listing of Israelite tribal heads emphasizes continuity and heritage (01:14–03:45).
• Moses and Aaron Sent with Power
  • God charges Moses: “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.” (03:45)
  • Purposeful hardening: “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart… Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts… out by great acts of judgment.” (03:48–04:25)
  • Moses and Aaron, aged 80 and 83, are noted for their obedience: “Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them.” (04:28)
• Sign of the Staff & First Plague
  • The staff-turned-serpent: Aaron’s staff devours the magicians’ staffs, but Pharaoh’s heart is unmoved (04:30–05:00).
  • The Nile turned to blood: A clear sign, yet the magicians replicate it; Pharaoh’s hardness deepens (05:02–06:50).
  • People dig for drinkable water as seven days pass (07:08)

2. Psalm 28: Petition and Praise for Rescue

• A Cry for Mercy
  • “To you, O Lord, I call, my rock, be not deaf to me… Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy...” (07:15–07:35)
  • David pleads for separation from the wicked and for justice: “Give to them according to their work… Render them their due reward.” (07:35–07:47)
• Confidence in God’s Strength
  • “Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped.” (07:52–07:54)
  • A closing prayer for the nation: “O save your people and bless your heritage. Be their shepherd and carry them forever.” (08:10–08:15)

3. Mark 7: True Purity and Miracles Among the Marginalized

• Tradition vs. Commandment
  • Pharisees question Jesus about ritual hand washing and traditions of the elders (08:18–08:46).
  • Jesus confronts them:

    “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites… This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” (08:56–08:58)
    “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (08:59)

    • Example: The Corban rule, by which tradition nullifies the command to honor parents (09:04–09:18).
• Defilement Comes from Within
  • Jesus teaches, “There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (09:22)
  • Further explains to the disciples: “Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him… What comes out of a person is what defiles him.” (09:36–09:44)
    • He lists evils that come from within: “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” (09:46)
• Healing the Syrophoenician’s Daughter
  • A Gentile woman begs for her daughter’s healing. Jesus responds with a saying about the “children’s bread” not being for the dogs, but she humbly replies:

    “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (10:18)

  • Jesus praises her faith:

    “For this statement, you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” (10:22)

• Healing the Deaf Man
  • In the Decapolis, Jesus heals a man who is deaf and mute:

    “He sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.” (11:00–11:09)

  • The crowd responds with awe:

    “They were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’” (11:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• God’s Assurance to Israel:

  “I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God. And you shall know that I am the Lord, your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” (00:55)

• Moses’ Humility:

  “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?” (01:13)

• On Human Tradition:

  “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” — Jesus (08:59)

• On Inner Purity:

  “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.” — Jesus (09:44)

• Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith:

  “Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (10:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 – God’s promise to Moses and Israel in Exodus 6
• 01:13 – Moses communicates but Israel doesn’t listen; God’s repeated instruction
• 03:45 – Moses and Aaron charged to confront Pharaoh, genealogy given
• 04:30 – Staff miracle before Pharaoh, initial hardening
• 05:27 – The Nile turned to blood, first plague
• 07:15 – Psalm 28: Petition, praise, and trust in God’s strength
• 08:18 – Mark 7: Handwashing dispute; Jesus on tradition vs. command (09:00)
• 09:22 – Defilement from within: Jesus’ core teaching
• 10:10 – Healing of Syrophoenician woman’s daughter
• 11:00 – Healing of deaf and mute man; crowd’s astonishment (11:18)

Episode Tone

The tone is faithful to Scripture, moving from the gravity of Moses’ calling and the affliction of Israel, through psalmic urgency and trust, to the clarity and compassion of Jesus’ teachings and healings. The flow maintains reverence, directness, and a deep sense of hope rooted in the Lord’s character.