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

Episode: April 8, 2025
Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 21–22; Psalm 90; Acts 14

1. Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 21–22

Overview: The episode begins with a detailed reading of Deuteronomy chapters 21 and 22, which outline various laws intended to govern the social and moral conduct of the Israelites. These chapters cover a range of topics, including justice in cases of unsolved murders, the treatment of captives, inheritance rights, and prohibitions against mixing different practices and garments.

Key Points:

• Justice for Unsolved Murders (Deut. 21:1–21): Procedures are established for cases where a person is found slain anonymously. Elders from nearby cities are required to perform rituals to atone for the innocent blood and maintain communal purity.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 1: “…testify. Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it shed. Accept atonement, O Lord…” [00:52]

• Treatment of Female Captives (Deut. 21:10–21): Guidelines are provided for Israelite soldiers who capture women in war. The captives must undergo a mourning period before marriage, ensuring their dignity and preventing their mistreatment.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 2: “…she shall shave her head and pare her nails, and she shall take off the clothes in which she was captured.” [01:30]

• Inheritance Rights (Deut. 21:15–17): Addresses the rights of firstborn sons, especially in cases where a man has multiple wives. The firstborn of the unloved wife is to receive a double portion, ensuring fairness and recognition of their status.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 3: “…He shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved by giving him a double portion of all that he has.” [02:18]

• Regulations Against Mixed Practices (Deut. 22:9–13): Prohibits the mixing of seeds in plowing, wearing garments made of mixed fabrics, and certain sexual immorality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining distinct cultural and religious practices.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 3: “A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak.” [03:42]

Insights: These passages highlight the societal emphasis on justice, fairness, and the preservation of cultural integrity within the Israelite community. The laws not only address immediate social issues but also aim to instill a long-lasting moral framework for future generations.

2. Psalm 90

Overview: Psalm 90, a prayer attributed to Moses, serves as a reflection on the eternal nature of God contrasted with the transience of human life. The psalm contemplates the brevity of human existence, the weight of sin, and the plea for divine wisdom and compassion.

Key Points:

• Eternal God vs. Fleeting Human Life (Psalm 90:1–10): Emphasizes God's timeless existence and sovereignty, highlighting human mortality and the fleeting nature of life.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 4: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations… You return man to dust and say, return, O children of man.” [07:23]

• Human Frailty and Sin (Psalm 90:10–12): Acknowledges human limitations and the consequences of sin, seeking God's mercy and understanding.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 4: “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past… We bring our years to an end like a sigh.” [07:42]

• Plea for Wisdom and Compassion (Psalm 90:13–17): Requests God to teach humans to value their days wisely, to extend their lives, and to bless their efforts, fostering a life of joy and purpose despite its brevity.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 2: “So teach us to number our days.” [08:21]
    Reader 4: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands upon us.” [08:38]

Insights: Psalm 90 serves as a profound meditation on mortality, urging believers to seek God's wisdom in navigating the challenges of life. It underscores the importance of recognizing life's impermanence and the need for divine guidance to lead a meaningful and righteous existence.

3. New Testament Reading: Acts 14

Overview: The reading from Acts 14 chronicles the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas as they spread the Gospel in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. The chapter highlights their evangelistic efforts, the challenges they face, and the miraculous works that affirm their ministries.

Key Points:

• Missionary Efforts in Iconium (Acts 14:1–7): Paul and Barnabas preach in the Jewish synagogue, garnering both belief and opposition. Their boldness in proclaiming the Lord leads to divisions within the city as both Jews and Greeks react to their message.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 4: “They spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed…” [07:43]

• Miracle in Lystra (Acts 14:8–20): In Lystra, Paul heals a crippled man, leading the crowd to mistakenly worship them as Greek gods. Paul and Barnabas correct the misunderstanding, emphasizing the true God and discouraging idol worship. Despite their efforts, opposition escalates, resulting in Paul being stoned and left for dead.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 3: “…stand upright on your feet.” [09:00]
    Reader 1: “men, why are you doing these things?” [10:07]

• Persecution and Perseverance (Acts 14:21–28): After facing persecution, Paul and Barnabas continue their mission, strengthening existing believers and establishing new churches. They emphasize the necessity of enduring tribulations to enter the kingdom of God and appoint elders to lead the fledgling communities.

  • Notable Quote:
    Reader 2: “…encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” [10:26]

Insights: Acts 14 illustrates the resilience and unwavering commitment of early Christian missionaries in the face of adversity. The chapter underscores the transformative power of faith, the challenges of cultural misunderstandings, and the foundational efforts to build and sustain Christian communities amidst opposition.

Conclusion

This episode of Through the ESV Bible in a Year provides listeners with profound scriptural insights across both the Old and New Testaments. From the detailed laws in Deuteronomy that shaped Israelite society, the contemplative reflections of Psalm 90 on human mortality and divine wisdom, to the dynamic missionary work in Acts 14, the readings collectively offer a comprehensive exploration of faith, justice, and perseverance. Notable quotes punctuate the readings, enhancing understanding and encouraging listeners to reflect deeply on the timeless truths presented.