April 27 (Judges 2–3; Psalm 107:1–22; Romans 8)

Summary

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

Episode: April 27
Scriptures Covered: Judges 2–3; Psalm 107:1–22; Romans 8
Release Date: April 27, 2025

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Introduction

In the April 27th episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry," listeners embark on a profound journey through selected passages from the Old and New Testaments. This episode delves into the cyclical patterns of faithfulness and apostasy in the Book of Judges, the heartfelt gratitude expressed in Psalm 107, and the transformative power of the Spirit as outlined in Romans 8. Through engaging scripture readings, the podcast offers listeners an opportunity to reflect deeply on these foundational texts.

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Reading from the Book of Judges (Judges 2–3)

Overview: The episode begins with a reading from Judges 2–3, highlighting Israel's recurring struggle with obedience and idolatry after Joshua's leadership. The narrative underscores the consequences of forsaking God's commandments and the cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance.

Key Points:

1. Broken Covenant and Idolatry:

   • The Israelites failed to uphold their covenant with God, leading to their worship of other gods such as Baals and Ashtaroth.
   • Notable Quote:
     Garden of Eden Voice (00:10): "I will never break my covenant with you. And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land... But you have not obeyed my voice."
     (Timestamp: 00:10)

2. Consequences of Disobedience:

   • God's anger is kindled against Israel, resulting in their subjugation by surrounding enemies.
   • Notable Quote:
     Narrator (00:54): "So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel... they were in terrible distress."
     (Timestamp: 00:54)

3. Rise of Judges:

   • In response to their plight, God raises judges to deliver Israel from oppression. However, after each judge's death, the cycle of disobedience resumes.
   • Notable Quote:
     Paul (02:30): "And he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the Judge."
     (Timestamp: 02:30)

4. Testing of Israel:

   • God leaves certain nations to test Israel's faithfulness, emphasizing the importance of steadfast devotion.
   • Notable Quote:
     God (03:11): "So the Lord left those nations... to test Israel by them whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord."
     (Timestamp: 03:11)

Insights: The reading serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the ease with which societies can fall into patterns of disobedience. It highlights the merciful yet just nature of God, who provides opportunities for repentance and deliversance despite persistent human failure.

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Reading from the Book of Psalms (Psalm 107:1–22)

Overview: Psalm 107 is a hymn of thanksgiving that recounts various instances of God's deliverance. It emphasizes gratitude for God's steadfast love and miraculous interventions in times of distress.

Key Points:

1. Call to Thanksgiving:

   • The psalmist urges the redeemed to give thanks to the Lord for His enduring love and wondrous works.
   • Notable Quote:
     David (07:49): "O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."
     (Timestamp: 07:49)

2. Stories of Deliverance:

   • The psalm narrates different scenarios where individuals called out to God in trouble and were saved, illustrating His providence.
   • Notable Quote:
     David (08:19): "They fell down with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress."
     (Timestamp: 08:19)

3. God's Power Over Adversity:

   • The imagery of God shattering doors of bronze and cutting bars of iron symbolizes His ability to overcome insurmountable challenges.
   • Notable Quote:
     Paul (08:57): "For he shatters the doors of bronze."
     (Timestamp: 08:57)

4. Invitation to Praise:

   • The psalm encourages offering sacrifices of thanksgiving and singing joyfully about God's deeds.
   • Notable Quote:
     David (08:55): "Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of his deeds in songs of joy."
     (Timestamp: 08:55)

Insights: Psalm 107 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His people. It encourages believers to recognize and celebrate divine interventions in their lives, fostering a heart of gratitude even amidst trials.

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Reading from the Book of Romans (Romans 8)

Overview: The episode transitions to an excerpt from Romans 8, a pivotal chapter in Christian theology that explores life in the Spirit, the assurance of no condemnation, and the unbreakable love of God through Christ Jesus.

Key Points:

1. No Condemnation for Believers:

   • The chapter begins with the assurance that those in Christ Jesus are free from condemnation.
   • Notable Quote:
     Paul (09:35): "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
     (Timestamp: 09:35)

2. Life Through the Spirit:

   • Emphasizes living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh, leading to life and peace.
   • Notable Quote:
     Paul (09:46): "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God... but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."
     (Timestamp: 09:46)

3. Assurance of God's Support:

   • Highlights the unshakeable support God provides, ensuring that nothing can separate believers from His love.
   • Notable Quote:
     Paul (13:07): "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution... be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
     (Timestamp: 13:07)

4. The Spirit's Intercession:

   • The Holy Spirit aids believers in prayer, especially when they are unsure of what to pray for.
   • Notable Quote:
     Narrator (12:17): "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness... the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
     (Timestamp: 12:17)

Insights: Romans 8 offers profound theological insights into the believer's life empowered by the Holy Spirit. It reassures Christians of their secure position in Christ, the transformative influence of the Spirit, and the comprehensive love of God that transcends all adversities.

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Conclusion

The April 27th episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry" intricately weaves together narratives and teachings from Judges, Psalms, and Romans to present a comprehensive tapestry of faith, obedience, gratitude, and spiritual life. By reflecting on Israel's historical challenges, the psalmist's earnest prayers, and Paul's theological expositions, listeners are encouraged to cultivate a resilient and thankful heart, anchored in the unwavering love and guidance of God. This episode serves as both a reminder of past lessons and a beacon for personal spiritual growth.

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Notable Quotes Summary:

• God (00:10): "I will never break my covenant with you..."
• Narrator (00:54): "So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel..."
• Paul (02:30): "And he saved them from the hand of their enemies..."
• God (03:11): "So the Lord left those nations... to test Israel..."
• David (07:49): "O give thanks to the Lord..."
• Paul (08:57): "For he shatters the doors of bronze."
• Paul (09:35): "There is therefore now no condemnation..."
• Paul (13:07): "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"

These excerpts encapsulate the episode's core themes of covenant faithfulness, divine deliverance, heartfelt thanksgiving, and the assurance of God's enduring love.

Transcript

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Judges. Now the angel of the Lord went.

[God]

Up from Gilgal to Bokim. And he said, I brought you up.

[Narrator]

From Egypt and brought you into the.

[God]

Land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, I will never break my covenant with you. And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You shall break down their altars. But you have not obeyed my voice.

[Narrator]

What is this?

[God]

You have done so now I say, I will not drive them out before.

[Narrator]

You, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their God shall be.

[God]

A snare to you.

[Narrator]

As soon as the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the.

[God]

People of Israel, the people lifted up their voices and wept. And they called the name of that place, Bokum. And they sacrificed there to the Lord. When Joshua dismissed the people, the people.

[Narrator]

Of Israel went each to his inheritance.

[God]

To take possession of the land.

[Narrator]

And the people served the Lord all.

[God]

The days of Joshua and all the.

[Narrator]

Days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work.

[God]

That the Lord had done for Israel. And Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years.

[Narrator]

And they buried him within the boundaries.

[God]

Of his inheritance in Timnath, heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash.

[Narrator]

And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them.

[God]

Who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.

[Narrator]

And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the.

[God]

Lord and served the Baals.

[Narrator]

And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers who had brought them.

[God]

Out of the land of Egypt.

[Narrator]

They went after other gods from among.

[God]

The gods of the peoples who were around them and bowed down to them.

[Narrator]

And they provoked the Lord to anger. They abandoned the Lord and served the.

[God]

Baals and the Ashtaroth.

[Narrator]

So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And he gave them over to plunderers who plundered them.

[God]

And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies so that they could no longer withstand their enemies whenever they marched out.

[Narrator]

The hand of the Lord was against.

[God]

Them for harm, as the Lord had warned and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress.

[Narrator]

Then the Lord raised up judges who saved them out of the hand of.

[God]

Those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their.

[Narrator]

Judges, for they whored after other gods.

[God]

And bowed down to them.

[Narrator]

They soon turned aside from the way.

[David]

In which their fathers had walked who.

[Narrator]

Had obeyed the commandments of the Lord.

[God]

And they did not do so.

[Narrator]

Whenever the Lord raised up judges for.

[Paul]

Them, the Lord was with the Judge.

[Narrator]

And he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the Judge. For the Lord was moved to pity.

[God]

By their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them.

[Narrator]

They did not drop any of their.

[David]

Practices or their stubborn ways.

[Narrator]

So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

[God]

And he said, because this people have.

[Narrator]

Transgressed my covenant, that I commanded their.

[God]

Fathers and have not obeyed my voice, I will no longer drive out before.

[Narrator]

Them any of the nations that Joshua.

[God]

Left when he died, in order to test Israel by them whether they will.

[Narrator]

Take care to walk in the way.

[God]

Of the Lord, as their fathers did or not. So the Lord left those nations, not.

[Narrator]

Driving them out quickly, and he did.

[God]

Not give them into the hand of Joshua.

[Narrator]

Now these are the nations that the.

[David]

Lord left to test Israel by them.

[Narrator]

That is all in Israel who had.

[God]

Not experienced all the wars in Canaan.

[Narrator]

It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might.

[God]

Know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before. These are the the five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites and.

[Narrator]

The Sidonians and the Hivites, who lived.

[God]

On Mount Lebanon, from Mount BAAL Hermon as far as Lebo Hamath.

[Narrator]

They were for the testing of Israel to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded.

[God]

Their fathers by the hand of Moses.

[Narrator]

So the people of Israel lived among.

[God]

The Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

[Narrator]

And their daughters they took to themselves.

[God]

For wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods. And the people of Israel did what.

[Narrator]

Was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God, and.

[God]

Served the Baals and the Asheroth.

[Narrator]

Therefore the anger of the Lord was.

[God]

Kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan Reshathaim, king of Mesopotamia.

[Narrator]

And the people of Israel served Cushan Rishathaim eight years. But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of.

[God]

Israel who saved them. Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

[Narrator]

The spirit of the Lord was upon.

[God]

Him, and he judged Israel, he went out to war.

[Narrator]

And the Lord gave Cushan Rishathaim, king.

[God]

Of Mesopotamia, into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan Roshathaim.

[Narrator]

So the land had rest 40 years.

[God]

Then Othniel the son of Kenaz, died. And the people of Israel again did.

[Narrator]

What was evil in the sight of the Lord. And the Lord strengthened Eglon, the king.

[God]

Of Moab, against Israel, because they had.

[Narrator]

Done what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He gathered to himself the Ammonites and.

[God]

The Amalekites and went and defeated Israel. And they took possession of the city of Palms.

[Narrator]

And the people of Israel served Eglon.

[God]

The king of Moab, 18 years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer. Ehud, the son of Gera the Benjamite, a left handed man.

[Narrator]

The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon, the king of Moab. And Ehud made for himself a sword.

[Paul]

With two edges, a cubit in length.

[God]

And he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes, and he presented.

[Narrator]

The tribute to Eglon, king of Moab.

[God]

Now Eglon was a very fat man.

[Narrator]

And when Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute. But he himself turned back at the.

[God]

Idols near Gilgal and said, I have a secret message for you, O king. And he commanded silence. And all his attendants went out from his presence.

[Narrator]

And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber.

[God]

And Ehud said, I have a message.

[Paul]

From God for you.

[Narrator]

And he arose from his seat. And Ehud reached with his left hand.

[Paul]

Took the sword from his right thigh.

[God]

And thrust it into his belly.

[Narrator]

And the hilt also went in after.

[God]

The blade, and the fat closed over.

[Paul]

The blade, for he did not pull.

[David]

The sword out of his belly, and.

[God]

The dung came out.

[Narrator]

Then Ehud went out into the porch and closed the doors of the roof.

[God]

Chamber behind him and locked them. When he had gone, the servants came.

[Narrator]

And when they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they.

[God]

Thought, surely he is relieving himself in.

[Paul]

The closet of the cool chamber.

[God]

And they waited till they were embarrassed. But when he still did not open.

[Narrator]

The doors of the roof chamber, they.

[Paul]

Took the key and opened them, and.

[God]

There lay their Lord dead on the floor.

[Narrator]

Ehud escaped while they delayed, and he passed beyond the idols and escaped to Sirah. When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet.

[God]

In the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down.

[Narrator]

With him from the hill country.

[God]

And and he was their leader. And he said to them, follow after me, for the Lord has given your enemies, the Moabites, into your hand. So they went down after him and.

[Narrator]

Seized the fords of the Jordan against.

[God]

The Moabites and did not allow anyone to pass over. And they killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites. All strong, able bodied men. Not a man escaped.

[Narrator]

So Moab was subdued that day under.

[God]

The hand of Israel. And the land had rest for 80 years.

[Narrator]

After him was Shamgar, the son of.

[God]

Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an ox goad. And he also saved Israel.

[Narrator]

A reading from the Book of Psalms.

[David]

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached the city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man. For he satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons. For they have rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High.

[Paul]

So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor.

[David]

They fell down with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness in the shadow of death and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man.

[Paul]

For he shatters the doors of bronze.

[David]

And cuts in two the bars of iron. Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction. They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man, and let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of his deeds in songs of joy.

[Narrator]

A reading from the book of Romans.

[Paul]

There is therefore now no condemnation for.

[David]

Those who are in Christ Jesus.

[Paul]

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

[Narrator]

For God has done what the law.

[Paul]

Weakened by the flesh could not do.

[Narrator]

By sending his own Son in the.

[Paul]

Likeness of sinful flesh. And for sin he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. But those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for.

[Narrator]

It does not submit to God's law.

[Paul]

Indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. If in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.

[Narrator]

Anyone who does not have the Spirit.

[Paul]

Of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the Spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry Abba. Father, the Spirit himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs. Heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of.

[David]

This present time are not worth comparing.

[Paul]

With the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

[Narrator]

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our.

[Paul]

Weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit. Because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good. For those who are called according to his purpose, for those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined, he also called. And those whom he called, he also justified. And those whom he justified, he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us.

[Narrator]

All, how will he not also with.

[Paul]

Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies who is to condemn Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that who was raised, who is at the right hand of God. Who indeed is interceding for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger or sword, as it is written, for your sake we are being killed all the day long we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.