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A reading from the Book of Numbers. Now, the people of Reuben and the people of Gad. Had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead. And behold, the place was a place for livestock. So the people of Gad and the people of Reuben Came and said to Moses. And to Eleazar the priest. And to the chiefs of the congregation. Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Eshbon, Elealeh, Sebum, Nebo. And beyond. The land that the Lord struck down before the congregation of Israel. Is a land for livestock. And your servants have livestock. And they said, if we have found favor in your sight. Let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan. But Moses said to the people of Gad. And to the people of Reuben. Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here? Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel. From going over into the land that the Lord has given them? Your fathers did this when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to see the land. For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol and saw the land. They discouraged the heart of the people of Israel. From going into the land that the Lord had given them. And the Lord's anger was kindled on that day. And he swore, saying. Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt. From 20 years old and upward. Shall see the land that I swore to give to Abraham to Isaac and to Jacob. Because they have not wholly followed me. None except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite. And Joshua the son of Nun. For they have wholly followed the Lord. And the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel. And he made them wander in the wilderness 40 years. Until all the generation. That had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone. And behold, you have risen in your father's place. A brood of sinful men. To increase still more the fierce anger of the Lord against Israel. For if you turn away from following him. He will again abandon them in the wilderness. And you will destroy all this people. Then they came near to him and said. We will build sheepfolds here. For our livestock. And cities for our little ones. But we will take up arms. Ready to go before the people of Israel. Until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities. Because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes. Until each of the people of Israel has gained his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond. Because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan to the east. So Moses said to them, if you will do this, if you will take up arms to go before the Lord for the war. And every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the Lord. Until he has driven out his enemies from before him and the land is subdued before the Lord, then after that you shall return and be free of obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land shall be your possession before the Lord. But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord. And be sure your sin will find you out. Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep and do what you have promised. And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben said to Moses, your servants will do as my Lord commands. Our little ones, our wives, our livestock and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead. But your servants will pass over every man who is armed for war before the Lord to battle, as my Lord orders. So Moses gave command concerning them to Eliezer the priest. And to Joshua the son of Nun. And to the heads of the fathers houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. And Moses said to them, if the people of Gad and the people of Reuben, every man who was armed to battle before the Lord will pass with you over the Jordan. And the land shall be subdued before you. Then you shall give them the land of Gilead for possession. However, if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben answered, what the Lord has said to your servants, we will do. We will pass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan. And the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan. And Moses gave to them to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben. And to the half tribe of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. The kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og, king of Bashan. The land and its cities with their territories. The cities of the land throughout the country. And the people of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer at Roshaphan, Jazer, Jogbeha, Beth Nimrah and Beth Haran, fortified cities and folds for sheep. And the people of Reuben built Heshbon, Elielah, Kariathaim, Nebo and BAAL Meon. Their names were changed And Sitmah. And they gave other names to the cities that they built. And the sons of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead and captured it and dispossessed the Amorites who were in it. And Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh, and he settled in it. And Jair the son of Manasseh went and captured their villages and called them Havoth. Jair and Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages and called it Nobah after his own name. A reading from the Book of Psalms. How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert. They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe. When he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan. He turned their rivers to blood so that they could not drink of their streams. He sent among them swarms of flies which devoured them and frogs which destroyed them. He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust. He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost. He gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to thunderbolts. He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress. A company of destroying angels. He made a path for his anger. He did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague. He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the first fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. He led them in safety so that they were not afraid. But the sea overwhelmed their enemies and he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. He drove out nations before them. He apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. Yet they tested and rebelled against the most high God and did not keep his testimonies, but turned away and acted treacherously. Like their fathers. They twisted like a deceitful bow, for they provoked him to anger with their high places. They moved him to jealousy with their idols. When God heard, he was full of wrath and he utterly rejected Israel. He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind, and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe. He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage. Fire devoured their young men and their young women had no marriage songs. Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation. Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man, shouting because of wine. And he put his adversaries to rout. He put them to everlasting shame. He rejected the tent of Joseph. He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves. He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth which he has founded forever. He chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds, which from following the nursing ewes, he brought him to shepherd Jacob, his people, Israel, his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. A reading from the Book of Acts. In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up. After he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, he presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them, he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. Which he said, you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. So when they had come together, they asked him, lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, it is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And and while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white robes and said, men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room where they were staying. Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer together with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus and his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the brothers. The company of persons was in all about a hundred twenty. And said, brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled. Which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry. Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness. And falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, So that the field was called in their own language, Akeldoma, that is filled with blood, for it is written in the book of Psalms. May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it, and let another take his office. So one of the men who had accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection. And they put forward too Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, you, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry. An apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. And they cast lots for them. And the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the 11 apostles.
Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry
Episode: March 26
Readings: Numbers 32; Psalm 78:40–72; Acts 1
Release Date: March 26, 2025
In the March 26 episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry," host Jackie guides listeners through a thoughtful exploration of three significant passages: Numbers 32, Psalm 78:40–72, and Acts 1. This episode delves into themes of obedience, rebellion, divine guidance, and the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, providing listeners with deep insights into the biblical narrative and its relevance today.
Key Points: Numbers 32 recounts the request of the tribes of Reuben and Gad to settle east of the Jordan River, rather than entering the Promised Land with the other Israelites. Their plea is rooted in their substantial livestock and the suitability of the land for their herding lifestyle.
Discussion & Insights:
Obedience vs. Self-Interest: Jackie highlights the tension between the desire for personal prosperity and the collective mission of the Israelite community. She emphasizes Moses' stern response, which underscores the importance of unity and obedience to God's plan.
Leadership and Accountability: The episode examines Moses' leadership qualities—his ability to balance compassion with firmness. Jackie reflects on how Moses' decisions, though challenging, were pivotal in maintaining the integrity of the covenant community.
Notable Quotes:
"Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here? Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel?" (Numbers 32:8, 00:05:30)
"Our little ones, our wives, our livestock and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead." (Numbers 32:16, 00:12:45)
Conclusion of Section: Jackie draws parallels between the Israelites' request and modern-day challenges of balancing personal ambitions with communal responsibilities. She encourages listeners to reflect on their own commitments to their faith communities.
Key Points: Psalm 78:40–72 is a lament over Israel's repeated rebellions and God's steadfastness despite their failures. The psalmist recounts the hardships endured by the Israelites, God's miracles, and the consequences of their unfaithfulness.
Discussion & Insights:
Memory and Testimony: Jackie discusses the importance of remembering God's deeds and the lessons learned from past failures. She stresses how collective memory shapes faith communities and individual beliefs.
Divine Mercy and Justice: The episode delves into the balance between God's mercy and justice. Jackie explores how the psalmist portrays God as both a deliverer and a disciplinarian, highlighting His unwavering commitment to His people despite their shortcomings.
Notable Quotes:
"He gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to thunderbolts." (Psalm 78:28, 00:25:10)
"He chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds, which from following the nursing ewes, he brought him to shepherd Jacob, his people." (Psalm 78:70-72, 00:30:55)
Conclusion of Section: Jackie reflects on the cyclical nature of sin and redemption, encouraging listeners to learn from history and strive for faithfulness. She underscores the relevance of Psalm 78 in understanding God's character and His expectations of His people.
Key Points: Acts 1 details the ascension of Jesus, the commissioning of the apostles, and the selection of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot. It sets the stage for the early church's mission and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Discussion & Insights:
Transition and Continuity: Jackie explores the transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to the apostles' mission. She emphasizes the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, highlighting the fulfillment of prophetic promises.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The episode examines the significance of the Holy Spirit's promised arrival. Jackie discusses how the Holy Spirit equips believers for service and witness, drawing a connection to the empowerment Moses provided to leaders in Numbers 32.
Notable Quotes:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." (Acts 1:8, 00:40:20)
"This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11, 00:42:15)
Conclusion of Section: Jackie ties together the themes from Numbers and Psalms, illustrating how God's guidance continues through the Holy Spirit. She encourages listeners to embrace their roles as modern-day witnesses, empowered to carry forward the mission of the church.
In this episode, Jackie Hill Perry masterfully weaves together narratives from the Old and New Testaments to illuminate enduring truths about faith, leadership, and divine guidance. By reflecting on the Israelites' struggles, God's unwavering commitment, and the nascent Christian community's mission, she offers listeners profound insights into living a life aligned with God's purposes. Jackie challenges her audience to remember past lessons, remain obedient amidst challenges, and rely on the Holy Spirit's power to fulfill their calling.
Closing Thoughts: Jackie Hill Perry invites listeners to engage deeply with the scriptures, encouraging both personal reflection and collective growth within the faith community. This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience, the impact of memory in shaping faith, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers toward their divine destiny.