March 27 (Numbers 33–34; Psalm 79; Acts 2)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode Title: March 27 (Numbers 33–34; Psalm 79; Acts 2)
Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host/Author: Crossway
Guest: Jackie Hill Perry

---

Introduction

In this episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year," Jackie Hill Perry guides listeners through a day’s readings encompassing key sections from the Old Testament, Psalms, and the New Testament. This episode delves into the Israelites' journey out of Egypt, a poignant Psalm of lament, and the transformative event of Pentecost as narrated in Acts. Perry's insightful commentary enriches the readings, providing depth and contemporary relevance to ancient texts.

---

Old Testament Reading: Numbers 33–34

Overview: Numbers 33–34 meticulously chronicles the stages of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, detailing their encampments and the challenges they faced along the way. The passages highlight God’s guidance through Moses, the leadership dynamics, and the divine instructions regarding the Promised Land.

Key Points:

1. Stages of the Exodus (Numbers 33):

   • Detailed Journey: Moses records the Israelites' journey from Rameses, detailing each encampment and significant events.
   • Divine Guidance: Emphasis on God’s commands shaping their path, showcasing His sovereignty and care.

   Notable Quote:

   "These are their stages, according to their starting places. They set out from Rameses in the first month."
   (Numbers 33:3, 00:04)

2. Leadership and Transition (Numbers 33):

   • Aaron’s Death: The passing of Aaron marks a significant transition in leadership for the Israelites.
   • Canaanite Threats: Introduction of external threats, such as the Canaanite king of Arad, underscores the impending challenges in the Promised Land.

   Notable Quote:

   "Aaron the priest... died there in the 40th year, after the people of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt."
   (Numbers 33:39-40, 03:11)

3. Divine Instructions for the Promised Land (Numbers 34):

   • Boundary Definitions: God delineates the borders of Canaan, ensuring clarity for the inheritance process.
   • Inheritance Allocation: Specific instructions are given for distributing the land among the tribes, emphasizing fairness and divine providence.

   Notable Quote:

   "This shall be your land as defined by its borders all around. Moses commanded the people of Israel, saying, this is the land that you shall inherit by Lot, which the Lord has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half tribe."
   (Numbers 34:48-49, 05:24)

Insights: Jackie Hill Perry highlights the meticulous nature of God's planning and provision. The detailed recording of the Israelites' journey serves as a testament to God's unwavering guidance. Perry draws parallels to modern faith journeys, encouraging listeners to trust in divine direction even when the path seems arduous.

---

Psalms Reading: Psalm 79

Overview: Psalm 79 is a heartfelt lament expressing sorrow over the devastation of Jerusalem and the defilement of God's holy temple. The psalmist appeals to God for mercy, deliverance, and restoration amidst overwhelming despair.

Key Points:

1. Expression of Grief and Destruction (Psalm 79:1-6):

   • Invaders' Atrocities: The psalm vividly describes the desecration of Jerusalem and the suffering of God's people.
   • Unanswered Lament: A plea for God to remember past mercy in the face of current turmoil.

   Notable Quote:

   "They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them."
   (Psalm 79:4, 07:57-08:03)

2. Appeal for Divine Intervention (Psalm 79:7-15):

   • Call for Justice: The psalmist urges God to act against the nations that have defiled His heritage.
   • Request for Forgiveness: A humble plea for compassion and forgiveness, recognizing the people's lowly state.

   Notable Quote:

   "Help us, O God of our salvation. For the glory of your name, deliver us and atone for our sins for your name's sake."
   (Psalm 79:9-10, 08:22-08:29)

3. Commitment to Praise and Remembrance (Psalm 79:13-15):

   • Enduring Praise: Despite the devastation, the psalmist vows to continually praise God.
   • Generational Legacy: Emphasis on passing down God's praise through generations.

   Notable Quote:

   "But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever."
   (Psalm 79:13, 09:03)

Insights: Perry emphasizes the raw honesty of the psalmist's emotions, reflecting the depth of human suffering and the quest for divine solace. She connects this lament to personal experiences of loss and the universal longing for restoration and healing. Perry encourages listeners to bring their sorrows before God, trusting in His promise of redemption.

---

New Testament Reading: Acts 2

Overview: Acts 2 narrates the seminal event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to speak in various tongues. This moment signifies the birth of the early Church, marked by miraculous signs, heartfelt conversions, and the foundational teachings of the apostles, particularly Peter.

Key Points:

1. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13):

   • Holy Spirit's Arrival: A dramatic manifestation with a sound like a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire.
   • Universal Language: Apostles speak in diverse languages, enabling a multitude of nations to understand the message.

   Notable Quote:

   "Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting..."
   (Acts 2:2-3, 09:16)

2. Peter’s Sermon and Proclamation (Acts 2:14-40):

   • Addressing the Crowd: Peter clarifies the miraculous events, attributing them to Jesus Christ.
   • Call to Repentance: A powerful exhortation for listeners to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit.

   Notable Quote:

   "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins."
   (Acts 2:38, 12:47)

3. Formation of the Early Church (Acts 2:41-47):

   • Mass Conversions: Approximately 3,000 souls are added on the day of Pentecost.
   • Community Life: The believers devote themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, exemplifying unity and generosity.

   Notable Quote:

   "They were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need."
   (Acts 2:44-45, 13:44)

Insights: Jackie Hill Perry underscores Pentecost as a pivotal moment of empowerment and unity for the early believers. She draws parallels to contemporary Christian communities, highlighting the importance of the Holy Spirit in fostering genuine community and service. Perry reflects on the transformative power of the Gospel, evident in the rapid growth and deep communion among the first Christians.

---

Concluding Reflections

This episode intertwines the historical exodus of the Israelites, the profound lament of a besieged Jerusalem, and the birth of the Church through Pentecost. Jackie Hill Perry adeptly bridges these narratives, illustrating themes of deliverance, lament, and empowerment. Listeners are encouraged to glean insights on divine guidance, the expression of heartfelt worship, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in both ancient and modern contexts.

Final Notable Quote:

"From generation to generation we will recount your praise."
(Psalm 79:13, 09:13)

This encapsulates the enduring legacy of faith and the continuous journey of believers, resonating throughout the episode’s readings and discussions.

---

Additional Resources: For those embarking on reading the ESV Bible in a year with Jackie Hill Perry, this episode serves as a profound exploration of foundational biblical events and prayers, enriched by thoughtful reflections that foster deeper understanding and spiritual growth.

Transcript

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Numbers.

[Moses]

These are the stages of the people of Israel when they went out of the land of Egypt by their companies, under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Moses wrote down their starting places, stage by stage, by command of the Lord. And these are their stages, according to their starting places. They set out from Rameses in the first month. On the 15th day of the first month, on the day after the Passover, the people of Israel went out triumphantly in the sight of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them. On their gods also the Lord executed judgments. So the people of Israel set out from Rameses and camped at Succoth. And they set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness. And they set out from Etham and turned back to PI Hahiroth, which is east of BAAL Zephon. And they camped before Migdal. And they set out from before Hahireth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness. And they went a three days journey in the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah. And they set out from Marah and came to Elam. At Elam There were 12 springs of water and 70 palm trees. And they camped there. And they set out from Elim and camped by the Red Sea and they set out from the Red Sea, encamped in the wilderness of Sin. And they set out from the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. And they set out from Dophkeh and camped at Elish. And they set out from Elish and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. And they set out from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai and they set out from the wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hate. And they set out from Kibroth Hate and camped at Hazeroth. And they set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithma. And they set out from Rithma and camped at Rimmon Perez. And they set out from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah. And they set out from Libnah and camped at Risa. And they set out from Risa and camped at Kaleatha. And they set out from Kayalatha and camped at Mount Shafer. And they set out from Mount Shapher and camped at Haradah. And they set out from Haradah and camped at Machileth. And they set out from Machileth and camped at Tahath. And they set out from Tahath and camped at Terah and they set out from Terah and camped at Mithkah and they set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmona and they set out from Hashmona and camped at Moseroth and they set out from Moseroth and camped at Beni Jaichin and they set out from Beni Jaichin and camped at Horad Gitgad and they set out from Horehad Gitgad and camped at Jathbatha and they set out from Jathbatha and camped at Abronah and they set out from Abrona and camped at Ezion Geber and they set out from Ezion Geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin, that is Kadesh. And they set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor on the edge of the land of Edom. And Aaron the priest, went up Mount Hor at the command of the Lord and died there in the 40th year, after the people of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt on the first day of the fifth month. And Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Horror. And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negeb in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming.

[God]

Of the people of Israel.

[Moses]

And they set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmona. And they set out from Zalmona and camped at and they set out from Punan and camped at Oboth and they set out from Oboth and camped at A in the territory of Moab. And they set out from Aim and camped at Dibengad. And they set out from Dibengad and camped at Alm and Diblathaim. And they set out from Almond Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim before Nebo. And they set out from the mountains of Abiram and camped in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan, at Jericho. They camped by the Jordan from Beth Jeshamath as far as Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.

[Aaron]

And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, at Jericho, saying, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, when you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their figured stones, and destroy all their metal images, and demolish all their high places, and you shall take possession of the land and settle in it. For I have given the land to you to possess it. You shall inherit the land by Lot, according to your clans. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Wherever the lot falls for anyone that shall be his, according to the tribes of your fathers, you shall inherit. But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. And they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.

[God]

The Lord spoke to Moses saying, command.

[Narrator]

The people of Israel and say to them, when you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance. The land of Canaan as defined by its borders. Your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin alongside Edom. And your southern border shall run from the end of the salt sea on the east. And your border shall turn south of the ascent of Akrabim and cross to Zin. And its limit shall be south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it shall go on to Hazaradar and pass along to Azmon. And the border shall turn from Azmon to the brook of Egypt, and its limit shall be at the sea.

[God]

For the western border you shall have.

[Narrator]

The great sea and its coast. This shall be your western border.

[God]

This shall be your northern border.

[Narrator]

From the great sea, you shall draw a line to Mount Hor. From Mount Hor, you shall draw a line to Lebo Hamath. And the limit of the border shall be at Zedad. Then the border shall extend to Ziphron, and its limit shall be at Hazar Enan. This shall be your northern border.

[God]

You shall draw a line for your.

[Narrator]

Eastern border from Hazar Enon to Shepham. And the border shall go down from shepherd to Riblah on the east side of Ain. And the border shall go down and reach to the shoulder of the sea of Kinnereth on the east. And the border shall go down to the Jordan, and its limit shall be at the salt sea. This shall be your land as defined by its borders all around. Moses commanded the people of Israel, saying, this is the land that you shall inherit by Lot, which the Lord has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half tribe. For the tribe of the people of Reuben by fathers houses and the tribe of the people of Gad by their fathers houses have received their inheritance. And also the half tribe of Manasseh. The two tribes and the Half tribe have received their inheritance beyond the Jordan, east of Jericho. Toward the sunrise, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, these are the names of the men who shall divide the land to you for inheritance. Eliezer the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. You shall take one chief from every tribe to divide the land for inheritance. These are the names of the men of the tribe of Judah. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, of the tribe of the people of Simeon. Shimeel, the son of Ammihud, of the tribe of Benjamin. Elijah, the son of Kislon, of the tribe of the people of Dan, a chief Bukai, the son of Jogli, of the people of Joseph, of the tribe of the people of Manasseh, a chief Aniel, the son of Ephod, and of the tribe of the people of Ephraim, a chief Kimuel, the son of Shiftan, of the tribe of the people of Zebulun, a chief Elizaphan, the son of Parnak, of the tribe of the people of Issachar, a chief Paltiel, the son of Azan, and of the tribe of the people of Asher, a chief Ahihud, the son of Shalomi, of the tribe of the people of Naphtali, a chief Padahel, the son of Ammihud.

[God]

These are the men whom the Lord.

[Narrator]

Commanded to divide the inheritance for the.

[God]

People of Israel in the land of Canaan.

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Psalms. A Psalm of Asaph.

[God]

O God, the nations have come into your inheritance.

[Moses]

They have defiled your holy temple.

[God]

They have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food.

[Moses]

They have the flesh of your faithful.

[Narrator]

To the beasts of the earth.

[God]

They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us. How long, O Lord, will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your anger on the nations.

[Narrator]

That do not know you, and on.

[Moses]

The kingdoms that do not call upon your name, for they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.

[God]

Do not remember against us our former iniquities. Let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation. For the glory of your name. Deliver us and atone for our sins for your name's sake. Why should the nations say, where is their God? Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the.

[Moses]

Nations before Our eyes.

[God]

Let the groans of the prisoners come before you. According to your great power, preserve those doomed to die.

[Moses]

Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors.

[Narrator]

The taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord.

[God]

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever. From generation to generation we will recount your praise.

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Acts.

[God]

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting and divided tongues as a fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together. And they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and Proselytes, Cretans and Arabians. We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God. And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, what does this mean? But others, mocking, said, they are filled with new wine. But Peter, standing with the 11, lifted up his voice and addressed them, Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel. And in the last days it shall be God declares that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams even on my male servants and female servants. In those days I will pour out my spirit, and they shall prophesy, and I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below. Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood. Before the day of the Lord comes the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst. As you yourselves know, this Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced. My flesh also will dwell in hope, for you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence. Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out. This that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, brothers, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, save yourselves from this crooked generation.

[Narrator]

So those who received his word were baptized.

[God]

And there were added that day about 3,000 souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread. And the prayers and awe came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need. And day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number, day by day, those who were being saved.