March 13 (Numbers 10–11; Psalm 68:1–18; John 8)

Summary

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Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: March 13, 2026 — Numbers 10–11; Psalm 68:1–18; John 8
Host: Crossway
Format: Daily Scripture Readings (No commentary)

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Episode Overview

This episode is part of a year-long project reading through the ESV Bible, featuring Old Testament (Numbers 10–11), a Psalm (Psalm 68:1–18), and New Testament (John 8) passages. There is no interwoven commentary; the text is read aloud, focusing on the narrative and words of Scripture. The core themes for today’s episode involve obedience, divine provision, complaint, spiritual leadership, God’s sovereignty, the heart behind worship, Jesus’ authority, and questions of spiritual lineage and freedom.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Numbers 10–11: The Israelites Set Out from Sinai and Experience God’s Discipline

(00:01–09:10)

• God’s Instructions for Silver Trumpets & Marching Order (00:01–03:01)

  • Trumpets made to organize the camp and signal departures and gatherings.
  • Different trumpet sounds designated various groups and purposes, underscoring divine order.
  • Notable leaders and tribal arrangements are listed as Israel breaks camp for the first time per God’s command.

• Moses and Hobab (03:01–03:45)

  • Moses invites his father-in-law’s son (Hobab) to journey with them:
    “Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.” (03:12)
  • Hobab initially refuses, but Moses insists on the mutual benefit of guidance.

• Moses’ Prayer and the Ark (03:45–04:27)

  • As the nation moves, the presence of God—a cloud by day—reminds them of His guidance.
  • Moses prays at each setting out and resting:
    “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered…” (03:51)

• Grumbling and Judgment (04:29–06:56)

  • The people complain about hardships and lack of variety in food, longing for Egypt’s provisions.
  • God’s anger burns; some are consumed by fire until Moses intercedes.
  • The people reject manna—God’s miraculous food—demonstrating deep dissatisfaction:
    “But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” (04:48)
  • Moses expresses feeling overwhelmed:
    “I am not able to carry all this people alone. The burden is too heavy for me.” (05:51)
    In deep distress, he asks God:
    “If you will treat me like this, kill me at once…” (05:54)
  • God appoints 70 elders to share the burden. He promises not only meat, but an overwhelming abundance:
    “You shall not eat just one day…but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you…” (06:37)

• The Spirit on the Elders; Quail and Plague (06:56–09:10)

  • The Spirit is given to the elders, and they prophesy.
  • Two men, Eldad and Medad, also prophesy in the camp, prompting Joshua to intervene, but Moses responds:
    “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (07:56)
  • God sends quail in massive quantities, but as the people indulge, He strikes them with a plague:
    “While the meat was yet between their teeth…it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled…” (08:14)

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2. Psalm 68:1–18: God’s Victorious Presence and Care for the Needy

(09:10–11:03)

• Opening Declaration of God’s Might
  • “God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered…” (09:10)
• The Joy of the Righteous & Exaltation of God
  • “But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God, they shall be jubilant with joy. Sing to God…Lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts.” (09:23)
• God’s Character
  • “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” (09:34)
  • God gives homes to the lonely, freedom to prisoners, blessing to the needy, and provision for His people.
• His Triumph and Dwellings
  • “The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them…” (10:47)
• Foreshadowing Christ’s Victory
  • “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train…” (10:55)

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3. John 8: Jesus, the Light of the World, and Questions of True Freedom

(11:03–17:27)

• Woman Caught in Adultery (11:09–12:07)

  • Scribes and Pharisees test Jesus:
    “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (11:41)
  • Crowd disperses; Jesus says to the woman:
    “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (12:07)

• Jesus’ Self-Declaration and Dispute with Pharisees (12:08–15:28)

  • Jesus:
    “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (12:10)
  • Pharisees question His authority and testimony.
  • Jesus explains His relationship with the Father:
    “I do not judge alone, but I and the Father who sent me.” (12:45)
  • He warns:
    “Unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” (13:35)
  • Jesus on true sonship:
    “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (14:22)
  • Jews protest, citing their descent from Abraham; Jesus clarifies:
    “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin…if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (14:29)

• Jesus and Abraham; Divine Identity (15:09–17:27)

  • Jesus challenges their assumptions:
    “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here.” (15:30)
    “You are of your father the devil…and your will is to do your father’s desires.” (15:35)
  • Jesus promises:
    “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (16:18)
  • Jesus:
    “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” (16:56)
  • Climactic assertion:
    “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (17:16)
    The crowd attempts to stone Jesus, but He escapes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Moses’ Prayer of Desperation
  “If you will treat me like this, kill me at once if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” — Moses (05:54)
• God’s Abundant Response
  “You shall not eat just one day…but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you…” — God to Moses (06:37)
• Moses on Prophecy
  “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” — Moses (07:56)
• Divine Declaration of Care
  “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” — Psalm Reader (09:34)
• Jesus on Mercy
  “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” — Jesus to the woman caught in adultery (12:07)
• Jesus, Light of the World
  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” — Jesus (12:10)
• On Slavery and Freedom
  “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin…if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — Jesus (14:29)
• Identity Before Abraham
  “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” — Jesus (17:16)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01 — Numbers 10–11: Trumpets, march, complaints, discipline, Moses’ distress, elders chosen, quail and plague
• 09:10 — Psalm 68:1–18: God’s triumph, care for the weak, praise, victory imagery
• 11:03 — John 8: Jesus, the woman caught in adultery, “I am the light of the world,” dispute over Jesus’ origins, spiritual lineage, climactic “Before Abraham was, I am.”

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Summary

In this day’s readings, the community of Israel is challenged to trust and obey in the wilderness, even as complaints and memories of Egypt’s comforts reveal hard hearts and prompt both compassion and discipline from God. Psalm 68 magnifies God’s victorious, caring, and just character. In John 8, Jesus boldly confronts hypocrisy, extends grace to the sinful, proclaims Himself the world’s light and the fullness of Abraham’s promise, and issues one of the most provocative declarations of His divine identity.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Numbers. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, make two silver trumpets of hammered work. You shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. And when both are blown, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the entrance of the tent of meeting. But if they blow only one, then the chiefs, the heads of the tribes of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. When you blow an alarm, the camps that are on the east side shall set out. And when you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are on the south side shall set out. An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations. And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets that you may be remembered before the Lord your God. And you shall be saved from your enemies on the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God. In the second year, in the second month, on the 20th day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the Testimony, and the people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai, and the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. They set out for the first time at the command of the Lord by Moses.

[Narrator Assistant]

The standard of the camp of the

[Narrator]

people of Judah set out first by their companies and over their company was Nahshon, the son of Amminadab. And over the company of the tribe of the people of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar.

[Narrator Assistant]

And over the company of the tribe

[Narrator]

of the people of Zebulun was Eliab, the son of Helon. And when the tabernacle was taken down, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who carried the tabernacle set

[Narrator Assistant]

out and the standard of the camp

[Narrator]

of Reuben set out by their companies. And over their company was Elizar, the son of Shadir.

[Narrator Assistant]

And over the company of the tribe

[Narrator]

of the people of Simeon was Shelumiel, the son of Zerushaddai.

[Narrator Assistant]

And and over the company of the

[Narrator]

tribe of the people of Gad was Eliasaph. The son of Dual. Then the Kohathites set out carrying the holy things, and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival.

[Narrator Assistant]

And the standard of the camp of

[Narrator]

the people of Ephraim set out by their companies, and over their company was Elishama, the son of Ammihud.

[Narrator Assistant]

And over the company of the tribe

[Narrator]

of the people of Manasseh was Gamaliel, the son of Padazzar.

[Narrator Assistant]

And over the company of the tribe

[Narrator]

of the people of Benjamin was Abidan, the son of Gideoni.

[Narrator Assistant]

Then the standard of the camp of

[Narrator]

the people of Dan, acting as the rear guard of all the camps set out by their companies, and over their company was aiehiezer, the son of Ammishaddai.

[Narrator Assistant]

And over the company of the tribe

[Narrator]

of the people of Asher was Pagiel, the son of Okran.

[Narrator Assistant]

And over the company of the tribe

[Narrator]

of the people of Naphtali was Ahirah, the son of Enon. This was the order of march of the people of Israel by their companies when they set out. And Moses said to Hobab, the son of rule, the Midianite, the Moses, Father in law, we are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, I will give it to you. Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel. But he said to him, I will not go.

[Narrator Assistant]

I will depart to my own land

[Narrator]

and to my kindred. And he said, please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness. And you will serve as eyes for us. And if you do go with us, whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same will we do to you. So they set out from the mount of the Lord. Three days journey.

[Narrator Assistant]

And the ark of the covenant of

[Narrator]

the Lord went before them three days journey to seek out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp and whenever the ark set out, Moses said, arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you. And when it rested, he said, return, O lord, to the 10,000 thousands of Israel. And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes. And when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled. And the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and

[Narrator/People]

the fire died down.

[Narrator]

So the name of that place was called Tabira, because the fire of the Lord burned among them. Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, o, that we had meat to eat. We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing. The cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic.

[Narrator/People]

But now our strength is dried up,

[Psalm Reader]

and there is nothing at all but

[Narrator]

this manna to look at. Now, the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of delium. The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills, or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it. Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans. Everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly. And Moses was displeased. Moses said to the Lord, why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth that you should say to me, carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing child to the land that you swore to give their fathers? Where am I to get meat to

[Psalm Reader]

give to all this people?

[Narrator]

For they weep before me and say, give us meat that we may eat. I am not able to carry all this people alone. The burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this,

[Psalm Reader]

kill me at once if I find

[Narrator]

favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness. Then the Lord said to Moses, gather for me 70 men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you, and I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you. And so that you may not bear it yourself alone, and say to the people, consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord saying, who will give us meat to eat, for it was better for us in Egypt. Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat.

[Narrator Assistant]

You shall not eat just one day

[Narrator]

or two days, or five days, or 10 days, or 20 days, but a whole month until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you because you have rejected the Lord who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, why did we come out of Egypt? But Moses said, the people, among whom I am, number 600,000 on foot. And you have said, I will give them meat that they may eat a whole month. Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them and be enough for them? And the Lord said to Moses, is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not. So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered 70 men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the 70 elders. And as soon as the spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad and the other named Medad. And the spirit rested on them.

[Psalm Reader]

They were among those registered.

[Narrator]

But they had not gone out to the tent. And so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp. And Joshua, the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, my Lord, Moses, stop them. But Moses said to him, are you jealous for my sake? With that all the Lord's people were prophets that the Lord would put his spirit on them. And Moses and the elders of Israel

[Narrator/People]

returned to the camp.

[Narrator]

Then a wind from the Lord sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp. About a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side around the camp and about two cubits above the ground. And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day and gathered the quail. Those who gathered least gathered 10 omers. And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was yet between their teeth before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people. And the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth Hateba. Because there they buried the people who had the craving. From Kibroth Hateba, the people journeyed to Hazeroth. And. And they remained at Hazeroth. A reading from the Book of Psalms to the choirmaster. A psalm of David. A song.

[Psalm Reader]

God shall arise. His enemies shall be scattered, and those who hate him shall flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away. As wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God.

[Narrator/People]

But the righteous shall be glad.

[Psalm Reader]

They shall exult before God, they shall be jubilant with joy. Sing to God, sing praises to his name. Lift up a song to him who

[Narrator/People]

rides through the deserts.

[Psalm Reader]

His name is the Lord, Exult before him. Father of the fatherless and protector of widows.

[Narrator]

Is God.

[Psalm Reader]

In his holy habitation God settles the solitary in a home. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity. But the rebellious dwell in a parched land. O God, when you went out before your people, when you march through the wilderness, Selah, the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain. Before God, the one of Sinai, Before God, the God of Israel. Reign in abundance, O God, you shed abroad, you restored your inheritance as it languished, your flock found a dwelling in it. In your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. The Lord gives the word. The women who announce the news are a great host. The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee. The women at home divide the spoil, though you men lie among the sheepfolds. The wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold. When the Almighty scatters kings there let snow fall on Zalmun. O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan. O many peaked mountain, Mountain of Bashan, why do you look with hatred? O many peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode. Yes, where the Lord will dwell forever. The chariots of God are twice 10,000 thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them. Sinai is now in the sanctuary. You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train, and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious,

[Narrator/People]

that the Lord God may dwell there.

[Narrator]

A reading from the Gospel according to John.

[Jesus]

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

[Narrator/People]

Early in the morning he came again to the temple.

[Narrator]

All the people came to him, and

[Narrator/People]

he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst, they said to him, teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now, in the law, Moses commanded us

[Psalm Reader]

to stone such women.

[Jesus]

So what do you say?

[Narrator/People]

This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, let him who was without sin among you. Be the first to throw a stone at her. And once more he bent down and rode on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones.

[Narrator]

And Jesus was left alone with the

[Narrator/People]

woman standing before him.

[Jesus]

Jesus stood up and said to her,

[Narrator/People]

woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?

[Jesus]

She said, no one, Lord.

[Narrator/People]

And Jesus said, neither do I condemn you. Go. And from now on, sin no more. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

[Jesus]

So the Pharisees said to him, you

[Narrator/People]

are bearing witness about yourself. Your testimony is not true. Jesus answered, even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true. For I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true. For it is not I alone who judge, but I in the Father who sent me. In your law, it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me. They said to him, therefore, where is your Father? Jesus answered, you know neither me nor my Father. If you knew Me, you would know my Father also. These words he spoke in the treasury

[Narrator]

as he taught in the temple.

[Narrator/People]

But no one arrested him because his hour had not yet come.

[Jesus]

So he said to them again, I

[Narrator/People]

am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.

[Jesus]

So the Jews said, will he kill himself?

[Narrator/People]

Since he says, where I am going, you cannot come. He said to them, you are from below, I am from above.

[Narrator]

You are of this world.

[Narrator/People]

I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. So they said to him, who are you? Jesus said to them, just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge. But he who sent me is true. And I declare to the world what I have heard from him. They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.

[Jesus]

So Jesus said to them, when you

[Narrator/People]

have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak, just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

[Jesus]

So Jesus said to the Jews who

[Narrator/People]

had believed him, if you abide in My word, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. They answered him, we are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say you will become free? Jesus answered them, truly, truly, I say to you. Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever. The Son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham. Yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father. And you do what you have heard from your father. They answered him, abraham is our father.

[Jesus]

Jesus said to them, if you were

[Narrator/People]

Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth. That I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did. They said to him, we were not born of sexual immorality. We have one father, even God.

[Jesus]

Jesus said to them, if God were

[Narrator/People]

your father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father, the devil, and your will is to do your Father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character. For he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

[Psalm Reader]

Whoever is of God hears the words of God.

[Narrator/People]

The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. The Jews answered him. Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon? Jesus answered, I do not have a demon. But I honor my father and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory. There is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. The Jews said to him, now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets. Yet you say, if anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death. Are you greater than our Father Abraham, who died and the prophets died? Who do you make yourself out to be? Jesus answered, if I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, he is our God. But you have not known Him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad. So the Jews said to him, you are not yet 50 years old, and have you seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you. Before Abraham was, I am. So they picked up stones to throw at him.

[Jesus]

But Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.