Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry
Episode Date: December 17, 2025
Readings: Hosea 6–9; Psalm 137; 1 Peter 3–5
Host: Crossway
Episode Overview
This episode continues the journey through the Bible in a year, featuring readings from Hosea 6–9 (an impassioned call for repentance and warning of judgment), Psalm 137 (a lament of exile), and 1 Peter 3–5 (guidance on suffering, humility, and Christian living). Each passage explores themes of faithfulness, suffering, hope, and God’s desire for genuine relationship over mere ritual.
Old Testament Reading: Hosea 6–9
Main Focus: Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s sorrowful but just response
Key Discussion Points & Insights
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Call for Repentance:
- The reading begins with a plea to "return to the Lord," promising healing after judgment ([00:01]).
“Come, let us return to the Lord. For he has torn us, that he may heal us.” — Hosea 6:1 ([00:01])
- The reading begins with a plea to "return to the Lord," promising healing after judgment ([00:01]).
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God’s Desire for Steadfast Love:
- God expresses disappointment that Israel’s love is fleeting and superficial, preferring “steadfast love and not sacrifice” ([01:24]).
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” — Hosea 6:6 ([01:24])
- God expresses disappointment that Israel’s love is fleeting and superficial, preferring “steadfast love and not sacrifice” ([01:24]).
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Corruption of Leadership:
- Priests and leaders are described as conspirators in violence, with the whole nation’s iniquity on display ([01:38]).
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Cycles of Sin and Superficial Worship:
- Israel’s repeated return to idolatry is likened to “a cake not turned” and “a silly dove” that foolishly seeks help from other nations ([03:14]).
“Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples. Ephraim is a cake not turned. Strangers devour his strength, and he knows it not.” — Hosea 7:8–9 ([03:14])
- Israel’s repeated return to idolatry is likened to “a cake not turned” and “a silly dove” that foolishly seeks help from other nations ([03:14]).
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Idolatry and Judgment:
- God critiques their unauthorized kings and idols, warning: “They sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” ([03:46]).
“They sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” — Hosea 8:7 ([03:46])
- God critiques their unauthorized kings and idols, warning: “They sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” ([03:46]).
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Coming Punishment:
- Israel is warned of exile and devastation as a consequence of their persistent sin ([06:35]).
“My God will reject them because they have not listened to him. They shall be wanderers among the nations.” — Hosea 9:17 ([06:35])
- Israel is warned of exile and devastation as a consequence of their persistent sin ([06:35]).
Psalm Reading: Psalm 137
Main Focus: The sorrow and longing of God’s people in captivity
Key Discussion Points & Insights
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Exile and Grief:
- Vivid expression of pain and nostalgia for Zion by the waters of Babylon ([07:08]).
“By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion… How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” — Psalm 137:1–4 ([07:08])
- Vivid expression of pain and nostalgia for Zion by the waters of Babylon ([07:08]).
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Unforgettable Loyalty to Jerusalem:
- A passionate oath never to forget Jerusalem, even at great personal cost ([07:28]).
“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.” — Psalm 137:5 ([07:28])
- A passionate oath never to forget Jerusalem, even at great personal cost ([07:28]).
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Cry for Justice:
- The psalm ends with a raw cry for divine justice against the enemies of Israel ([07:51]).
New Testament Reading: 1 Peter 3–5
Main Focus: Christian living under suffering, hope, and humility
Key Discussion Points & Insights
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Admonitions within Christian Households:
- Mutual respect in marriage highlighted. Wives are to win over unbelieving husbands by conduct, and husbands must honor their wives ([07:58]).
“Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” — 1 Peter 3:4 ([08:04])
- Mutual respect in marriage highlighted. Wives are to win over unbelieving husbands by conduct, and husbands must honor their wives ([07:58]).
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Ethics for All Believers:
- Calls for unity, sympathy, humility, and blessing rather than revenge ([08:24]).
“Do not repay evil for evil… but on the contrary, bless.” — 1 Peter 3:9 ([08:28])
- Calls for unity, sympathy, humility, and blessing rather than revenge ([08:24]).
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Suffering with Hope:
- Christians are assured blessing in suffering for righteousness and are called to defend their faith with respect and gentleness ([08:47]).
“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense… yet do it with gentleness and respect.” — 1 Peter 3:14–16 ([08:47])
- Christians are assured blessing in suffering for righteousness and are called to defend their faith with respect and gentleness ([08:47]).
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Christ’s Example and Baptism:
- Suffering is framed in the context of Christ’s redemptive suffering and resurrection ([09:41]).
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Living for God:
- Invites believers to live differently from the world, expecting misunderstanding and even mistreatment, but maintaining holy conduct ([10:20]).
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Commands for Community Life:
- Stresses earnest love, hospitality without grumbling, and faithful use of spiritual gifts ([11:22]).
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8 ([11:26])
- Stresses earnest love, hospitality without grumbling, and faithful use of spiritual gifts ([11:22]).
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Persecution and God’s Purpose:
- Suffering is not strange, but a reason for joy as it means sharing in Christ’s sufferings ([12:18]).
“Do not be surprised at the fiery trial… But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings.” — 1 Peter 4:12–13 ([12:16])
- Suffering is not strange, but a reason for joy as it means sharing in Christ’s sufferings ([12:18]).
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Exhortation to Leaders and All Christians:
- Leaders are urged to shepherd with humility; all are urged to humility and trust in God ([13:18], [13:44]).
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God.” — 1 Peter 5:5–6 ([13:33]–[13:46])
- Leaders are urged to shepherd with humility; all are urged to humility and trust in God ([13:18], [13:44]).
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Final Encouragements:
- Encouraged to resist the devil, remain steadfast in faith, and trust that, after suffering, God himself will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” ([13:55], [14:14])
“The God of all grace… will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” — 1 Peter 5:10 ([14:14])
- Encouraged to resist the devil, remain steadfast in faith, and trust that, after suffering, God himself will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” ([13:55], [14:14])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “He has torn us, that he may heal us… After two days he will revive us.” — Hosea 6:1–2 ([00:01])
- “They sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” — Hosea 8:7 ([03:46])
- “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.” — Psalm 137:1 ([07:08])
- “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8 ([11:26])
- “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 ([13:46])
Important Timestamps
- Hosea 6–9 Reading – [00:01]–[06:35]
- Psalm 137 Reading – [07:08]–[07:57]
- 1 Peter 3–5 Reading – [07:58]–[14:34]
- Christian living and suffering – [08:47], [12:16]
- Leadership and humility – [13:18]–[13:46]
- Final encouragement – [14:14]
Tone & Takeaways
The episode’s language remains faithful to the ESV translation, with a solemn and reflective tone in Hosea and Psalms, and encouragement laden with practical guidance in 1 Peter. God’s compassion, justice, and desire for authenticity underlie each passage, while listeners are called to earnest love, humility, and perseverance in the hope of Christ.
Useful for Those Who Haven’t Listened:
This episode surveys the reality of God’s sorrow over empty religion, the lament of exile, and the hard-won hope of faithful perseverance. Whether you’re new to these texts or seeking a fresh perspective, the readings invite sobering reflection and practical application.
