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Reader 1
A reading from the Book of Numbers. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi by their clans in their fathers houses, from 30 years old up to 50 years old. All who can come on duty to do the work in the tent of meeting. This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting the most holy things. When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the Ark of the Testimony with it. Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin, and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles. And over the table of the bread of the Presence, they shall spread a cloth of blue and put on it the plates, the dishes for incense, the bowls and the flagons for the drink offering. The regular showbread also shall be on it. Then they shall spread over them a cloth of scarlet, and and cover the same with a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles and they shall take a cloth of blue and cover the lampstand for the light, with its lamps, its tongs, its trays, and all the vessels for oil with which it is supplied. And they shall put it with all its utensils in a covering of goatskin and put it on the carrying frame. And over the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue and cover it with a covering of goatskin, and shall put in its poles. And they shall take all the vessels of the service that are used in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of goatskin, and put them on the carrying frame. And they shall take away the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth over it. And they shall put on it all the utensils of the altar which are used for the service there, the fire pans, the forks, the shovels, and the basins, all the utensils of the altar, and they shall spread on it a covering of goatskin and shall put in its poles. And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these. But they must not touch the holy things lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry. And Eliezer, the son of Aaron, the priest, shall have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil with the oversight of the whole tabernacle and all that is in it of the sanctuary and its vessels. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, let not the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be destroyed from among the Levites, but deal thus with them, that they may live and not die when they come near to the most holy things. Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them each to his task and to his burden, but they shall not go in to look on the holy things even for a moment, lest they die. The Lord spoke to Moses saying, take a census of the sons of Gershon also by their fathers houses and by their clans from 30 years old up to 50 years old. You shall list them all who can come to do duty to do service in the tent of meeting. This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites in serving, in bearing burdens. They shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle in the tent of meeting with its covering and and the covering of goatskin that is on top of it, and the screen for the entrance of the tent of meeting and the hangings of the court, and the screen for the entrance of the gate of the court that is around the tabernacle and the altar, and their cords, and all the equipment for their service. And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them. All the service of the sons of the Gershonites shall be at the command of Aaron and his sons in all that they are to carry, and in all that they have to do. And you shall assign to their charge all that they are to carry. This is the service of the clans of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting. And their guard duty is to be under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. As for the sons of Merari, you shall list them by their clans in their fathers houses from 30 years old up to 50 years old. You shall list them, every one who can come on duty to do the service of the tent of meeting. And this is what they are charged to carry as the whole of their service in the tent of Meeting. The frames of the tabernacle with its bars, pillars and bases, and the pillars around the court with their bases, pegs and cords, with all their equipment and all their accessories. And you shall list by name the objects that they are required to carry. This is the service of the clans of the sons of Merari, the whole of their service in the tent of meeting under the Direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron, the priest and Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of the congregation listed the sons of the Kohathites by their clans in their fathers houses from 30 years old up to 50 years old. Everyone who could come on duty for service in the tent of meeting and those listed by clans were 2,750. This was the list of the clans of the Kohathites. All who served in the tent of meeting whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the Lord by Moses. Those listed of the sons of Gershon by their clans in their fathers houses from 30 years old up to 50 years old. Everyone who could come on duty for service in the tent of meeting. Those listed by their clans in their fathers houses were 2,630. This was the list of the clans of the sons of Gershon. All who served in the tent of meeting whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the Lord. Those listed of the clans of the sons of Merari by their clans in their fathers houses from 30 years old up to 50 years old. Everyone who could come on duty for service in the tent of meeting. Those listed by clans were 3200. This was the list of the clans of the sons of Merari whom Moses and Aaron listed according to the commandment of the Lord by Moses. All those who were listed of the Levites whom Moses and Aaron and the chiefs of Israel listed by their clans in their fathers houses from 30 years old up to 50 years old. Everyone who could come to do the service of ministry in the service of bearing burdens in the tent of meeting. Those listed were 8580 according to the commandment of the Lord through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the Lord commanded Moses. A reading from the Book of Psalms to the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
Reader 2
Hear my voice, O God, and my complaint. Preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear they hold fast to their evil purpose. They talk of laying snares, secretly thinking who can see them. They search out injustice, saying, we have accomplished a diligent search for the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. But God shoots his arrow at them. They are wounded. Suddenly they are brought to ruin with their own tongues turned against them, all who see them will wag their heads. Then all mankind fears they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him. Let all the upright in heart exalt.
Reader 1
A reading from the Gospel according to John.
Reader 2
Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John, although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples, he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a town of Samaria called Sakar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, give me a drink. For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, how is it that you, a Jew, asked for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, if you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, give me a drink, you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. The woman said to him, sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our Father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock. Jesus said to her, everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water. Jesus said to her, go call your husband and come here. The woman answered him, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, you are right in saying I have no husband. For you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true. The woman said to him, sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain. But you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship. Jesus said to her, woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know. We worship what we know for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. The woman said to him, I know that Messiah is coming. He who was called Christ. When he comes, he will tell us all things. Jesus said to her, I who speak to you am he. Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman. But no one said, what do you seek? Or why are you talking with her? So the woman left her water jar and went away into town. And said to the people, come see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christian? They went out of the town and were coming to him. Meanwhile, the disciples were urging him, saying, rabbi, eat. But he said to them, I have food to eat that you do not know about. So the disciples said to one another, has anyone brought him something to eat? Jesus said to them, my food is to do the will of him who sent me. And to accomplish his work. Do you not say, there are yet four months? Then comes the harvest. Look, I tell you. Lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life. So that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true. One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony. He told me all that I ever did. So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them. And he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, it is no longer because of what you said that we believe. For we have heard for ourselves. And we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world. After the two days, he departed for Galilee. For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast. So he came again to Cana in Galilee. Where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee. He went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. The official said to him, sir, come down before my child dies. Jesus said to him, go, your son will live. The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, yesterday, at the seventh hour the fever left him. The Father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, your son will live. And he himself believed in all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did. When he had come from Judea to Galilee.
Episode: March 9 – Numbers 4; Psalm 64; John 4
Release Date: March 9, 2025
Host/Author: Crossway
Featuring: Jackie Hill Perry
Reader 1 begins the episode with an in-depth reading from Numbers 4, detailing the specific duties assigned to the sons of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari, who are distinguished clans within the Levite tribe. This chapter emphasizes the meticulous organization and sacred responsibilities entrusted to each group concerning the Tabernacle's maintenance and transportation.
Key Highlights:
Sons of Kohath: Responsible for the most sacred items, including the Ark of the Testimony, the altar, and the lampstand. Strict instructions are given to ensure they do not touch holy items to prevent death (00:01 - 05:58).
"They must not touch the holy things lest they die." — Reader 1 [00:45]
Sons of Gershon: Tasked with carrying the curtains, coverings, and hanging screens of the Tabernacle. Their service focuses on the structural elements that provide shelter and separation within the sacred space.
Sons of Merari: Entrusted with the frames, bars, pillars, and bases of the Tabernacle, ensuring the entire structure remains intact and portable during the Israelites' journeys.
Census Details: Precise numbers are provided for each clan, highlighting the large and organized workforce dedicated to the Tabernacle's service.
"Everyone who could come on duty for service in the tent of meeting." — Reader 1 [04:30]
Insights: Jackie Hill Perry reflects on the importance of order and reverence in worship practices. She draws parallels between the ancient responsibilities of the Levites and the modern-day call to worship with intentionality and respect for sacred traditions.
Reader 2 presents Psalm 64, attributed to David, a poignant prayer for protection against deceitful and malicious adversaries. This Psalm underscores themes of divine justice, the futility of evil schemes, and the assurance of God's deliverance.
Key Highlights:
Supplication for Protection: David earnestly asks God to "preserve my life from dread of the enemy" and to "hide me from the secret plots of the wicked" (06:07).
"Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers who whet their tongues like swords." — Reader 2 [06:15]
Divine Retribution: Emphasizes that God will ultimately defeat the wicked, turning their own schemes against them.
"God shoots his arrow at them... they are brought to ruin with their own tongues turned against them." — Reader 2 [06:45]
Encouragement to the Righteous: Calls on the righteous to find joy and refuge in the Lord amidst trials.
"Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him." — Reader 2 [06:55]
Insights: Jackie discusses the relevance of Psalm 64 in contemporary contexts, where individuals often face hidden threats and malicious intent. She highlights the Psalm's message of trusting God's sovereignty and the promise that justice will prevail, offering comfort and encouragement to believers navigating personal and societal challenges.
Reader 2 delivers a comprehensive reading from John 4, recounting two significant interactions of Jesus:
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42):
Context: Jesus travels through Samaria, engaging in a transformative conversation with a Samaritan woman.
Living Water: Jesus introduces the concept of "living water"—a metaphor for eternal life and spiritual fulfillment.
"Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again." — Reader 2 [07:10]
True Worship: Jesus teaches that true worship is "in spirit and truth", transcending geographical locations.
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." — Reader 2 [07:35]
Messiah Revelation: The woman recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, leading many Samaritans to believe through her testimony and Jesus' own words.
The Healing of the Official's Son (John 4:46-54):
Miracle of Faith: Jesus heals a royal official's son from afar, emphasizing the power of faith in His word.
"Your son will live." — Reader 2 [08:15]
Household Belief: The official's faith leads to the salvation of his entire household, illustrating the broader impact of personal faith.
Insights: Jackie delves into the profound dialogue between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, highlighting themes of inclusivity, spiritual thirst, and the breakdown of societal barriers. She emphasizes how Jesus' offer of living water extends beyond physical needs, addressing the innate human longing for purpose and connection with God.
Regarding the healing of the official's son, Jackie reflects on the power of Jesus' word and the importance of faith. She encourages listeners to trust in God's promises, even when immediate evidence is lacking, reinforcing the belief that faith leads to miraculous outcomes.
In this episode of Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry, listeners are guided through a journey that begins with the structured service of the Levites in the Old Testament, seeks protection and justice in the Psalms, and culminates in the transformative teachings and miracles of Jesus in the New Testament. Jackie Hill Perry adeptly bridges the ancient texts with contemporary applications, offering deep insights and encouragement for a year-long spiritual walk through the Bible.
Notable Quotes:
"They must not touch the holy things lest they die." — Reader 1 [00:45]
"Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers who whet their tongues like swords." — Reader 2 [06:15]
"Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again." — Reader 2 [07:10]
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." — Reader 2 [07:35]
"Your son will live." — Reader 2 [08:15]
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for listeners to engage deeply with the scriptures, fostering a richer understanding and a more profound connection with the biblical narrative throughout the year.