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

• 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])

• 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])

• Corruption of Leadership:

  • Priests and leaders are described as conspirators in violence, with the whole nation’s iniquity on display ([01:38]).

• 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])

• 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])

• 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])

Psalm Reading: Psalm 137

Main Focus: The sorrow and longing of God’s people in captivity

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• 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])

• 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])

• 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

• 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])

• 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])

• 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])

• Christ’s Example and Baptism:

  • Suffering is framed in the context of Christ’s redemptive suffering and resurrection ([09:41]).

• Living for God:

  • Invites believers to live differently from the world, expecting misunderstanding and even mistreatment, but maintaining holy conduct ([10:20]).

• 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])

• 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])

• 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])

• 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])

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.