Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: December 11 (Daniel 4–5; Psalm 131; Hebrews 10)
Host: Crossway
Date: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features three Bible readings: Daniel 4–5, Psalm 131, and Hebrews 10, as Jackie Hill Perry (in partnership with Crossway) continues the daily journey through the ESV Bible in a year. The episode covers themes of pride and humility, the sovereignty of God, judgment, hope, perseverance in faith, and the assurance found in Christ's all-sufficient sacrifice.

Key Discussion Points and Readings

1. Daniel 4–5: Sovereignty, Pride, and Judgment

(Timestamps: 00:01–11:25)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream and Humbling (00:01–08:30)

• Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony opens the passage, marveling at God’s wonders and dominion.
• The king’s disturbing dream: A giant tree, visible throughout the earth, is chopped down by a heavenly messenger. Only the stump remains, and someone is condemned to live as a beast until "he knows that the Most High rules the kingdom of men" (00:55).
• Daniel (Belteshazzar) interprets the dream:
  • The tree symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar’s greatness.
  • He will be humbled, living like an animal until he acknowledges God’s sovereignty.
  • Daniel urges the king:

    “Break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.” – Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar (07:59)

• Fulfillment:
  • As Nebuchadnezzar boasts, a voice from heaven decrees his downfall.
  • He becomes like an animal until he lifts his eyes to heaven; reason and kingdom are restored when he praises God.
  • Notable praise:

    “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the hosts of heaven... None can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” – Nebuchadnezzar (08:43)

  • He concludes:

    “Those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Nebuchadnezzar (09:34)

Belshazzar’s Feast and the Writing on the Wall (09:35–11:25)

• Belshazzar’s arrogance: Hosts a grand feast, using sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple (09:35).
• Divine judgment:
  • A mysterious hand writes on the wall.
  • Daniel is summoned to interpret when the wise men fail.
  • Daniel rebukes Belshazzar for pride and idolatry, warning:

    “You have praised the gods of silver and gold... but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.” – Daniel (10:30)

  • The inscription: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin”
    • Interpretation:

      “God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting... your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” (10:52)

  • That very night, Belshazzar is killed and Darius takes the kingdom (11:18).

2. Psalm 131: Childlike Trust and Humility

(Timestamp: 11:25–11:56)

• A song of humility:
  • The psalmist, David, expresses a humble posture before God, not aspiring to things too lofty.
  • Imagery of a content child:

    “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother...” (11:43)

  • Calls Israel to steadfast hope:

    “O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.” (11:55)

3. Hebrews 10: Christ’s Superior Sacrifice and a Call to Perseverance

(Timestamps: 12:00–16:07)

Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and Surpasses the Old Covenant (12:00–13:58)

• Contrast with Old Testament sacrifices:
  • Old sacrifices are a reminder, not a true removal of sin.

    “…impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (12:56)

• Christ fulfills God’s will: quotes Psalm 40, emphasizing obedience over ritual.
  • Notable:

    “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (13:06)

• The finality of Christ’s work:

  “For by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (13:30)

• New covenant promise:

  “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (13:50)

Exhortations to Faith and Community (13:58–16:07)

• Assurance to draw near to God:
  • Confidence to enter God’s presence by Jesus’ blood (13:58).
  • Call to:

    “…hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (14:15)

• Mutual encouragement:
  • Stir one another to love and good works; don’t neglect gathering (14:29).
• Serious warning:
  • Willful sin after knowing the truth prompts “fearful expectation of judgment” (14:40).
  • Sobering quote:

    “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (15:18)

• Reminding of perseverance:
  • Encouragement to endure hardship, recall past endurance, and keep confidence in future hope.
  • Inspiring close:

    “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” (16:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar:

  “Break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed...” (07:59)

• Nebuchadnezzar after restoration:

  “Those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (09:34)

• Daniel to Belshazzar:

  “The God in whose hand is your breath... you have not honored.” (10:30)

• On the sufficiency of Christ:

  “By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (13:30)

• On perseverance:

  “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” (16:07)

Important Timestamps

• Daniel 4–5 reading: 00:01–11:25
• Psalm 131 reading: 11:25–11:56
• Hebrews 10 reading: 12:00–16:07
• Key moments in Daniel's story:
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s dream recounted: 00:48–03:55
  • Daniel’s interpretation: 04:01–07:58
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling/restoration: 08:00–09:34
  • Belshazzar’s feast/judgment: 09:35–11:25
• Key moments in Hebrews 10:
  • Sacrifices contrast/fulfilled in Christ: 12:00–13:58
  • Call to confidence and perseverance: 13:58–16:07

Takeaways

• Daniel 4–5: God's sovereignty stands above all rulers and kingdoms; pride leads to downfall, humility leads to restoration.
• Psalm 131: True spirituality is marked by humility, quiet trust in God, and contentment beyond human aspirations.
• Hebrews 10: Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice brings assurance, community, and a call to persevering faith.

This episode’s readings powerfully contrast human pride and frailty with God’s unmatched sovereignty and faithfulness, while inviting listeners to quiet trust and steadfast hope in Christ.