Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode Date: August 27, 2025
Readings: Job 22–23; Psalm 53; Luke 17

Episode Overview

This episode features Jackie Hill Perry reading and reflecting on three passages: Job 22–23 (the ongoing dispute and lament between Job and his friend Eliphaz), Psalm 53 (a psalm of David meditating on human corruption), and Luke 17 (Jesus’ warnings about temptation, faith, gratitude, and the coming kingdom). Each passage is read for its own sake; the episode invites listeners to consider the weight and beauty of each text as part of their daily Bible journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Job 22–23: The Tension Between Accusation and Lament

Eliphaz’s Accusation (Job 22)

• Eliphaz challenges Job’s integrity, suggesting that suffering results from hidden sin:

  “Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right? Or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?... Is not your evil abundant? There is no end to your iniquities.” (00:16)

• He lists Job’s supposed wrongdoings (neglecting the needy, injustice, arrogance) and urges him to repent so blessing may return.

Job’s Response (Job 23)

• Job expresses longing to find God and plead his innocence directly:

  "Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat. I would lay my case before him..." (02:10)

• Feels God’s absence and admits fear, but holds fast to faith:

  “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (03:05)

• Emphasizes his commitment to God’s commands:

  “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” (03:33)

• Despite dread and terror, Job endures, refusing to be silenced by darkness.

2. Psalm 53: The Universal Corruption and God’s Salvation

• Psalmist declares the folly of atheism and the pervasive corruption of humanity:

  “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity. There is none who does good.” (04:14)

• God surveys humanity to find the righteous; all have turned away.
• Ends with hope for God’s deliverance:

  “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.” (05:15)

3. Luke 17: Warnings, Faith, Gratitude, and the Coming Kingdom

Temptation and Forgiveness

• Jesus warns against causing others to sin and commands radical forgiveness:

  “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him… If he sins against you seven times in the day... you must forgive him.” (05:41)

• The apostles ask for increased faith; Jesus reassures even a little faith is powerful:

  “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (06:06)

Humility in Service

• Jesus illustrates that serving God is a duty, not a means to status:

  “When you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (06:46)

Gratitude of the Leper

• Ten lepers are healed; only a Samaritan returns to thank Jesus:

  “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?... Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (07:44)

The Kingdom of God and the Day of the Son of Man

• Jesus explains the kingdom is present in their midst; it won’t come with signs to be observed:

  “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed... For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (08:25)

• Warns of future longing for his presence and cautions against chasing after false appearances of the kingdom.
• Compares the coming of the Son of Man to the days of Noah and Lot, urging readiness and single-minded devotion:

  “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” (10:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Job’s Earnest Longing:

  “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat.” (Job, 02:10)

• Faithfulness Under Trial:

  “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job, 03:05)

• Universal Corruption:

  “There is none who does good, not even one.” (Psalmist, 04:29)

• On Forgiveness:

  “If he sins against you seven times in the day and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Jesus, 05:51)

• On Gratitude and Faith:

  “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” (Jesus, 08:06) “Your faith has made you well.” (Jesus, 08:19)

• The Nature of God’s Kingdom:

  “The kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Jesus, 08:36)

• Endurance and Readiness:

  “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” (Jesus, 10:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Job 22: Eliphaz’s Accusation — 00:01–01:49
• Job 23: Job’s Lament & Faithfulness — 01:50–03:57
• Psalm 53 Reading — 04:00–05:19
• Luke 17: Sin, Forgiveness, Mustard Seed Faith — 05:20–06:46
• Luke 17: The Unworthy Servant — 06:47–07:23
• Luke 17: The Ten Lepers — 07:24–08:22
• Luke 17: The Kingdom of God & Final Warnings — 08:23–11:08

Closing Thoughts

This episode highlights the depth and complexity of human suffering, faith under duress, God’s expectations, and the promise of salvation. The readings call listeners to humility, persistent faith, radical forgiveness, gratitude, and readiness for God’s kingdom — themes that collectively capture the heart of Christian discipleship.