Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: December 2 — Ezekiel 34–35; Psalm 122; 1 Timothy 4–6
Original Release: December 2, 2025
Host: Crossway

Overview

This episode is part of the "Through the ESV Bible in a Year" series, offering daily readings from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Psalms. Today's episode features:

• Ezekiel 34–35: Condemnation of unfaithful leaders and God's promise as the true Shepherd, followed by judgment against Edom.
• Psalm 122: Rejoicing in worship and praying for the peace of Jerusalem.
• 1 Timothy 4–6: Instructions for church leaders and believers on godliness, leadership, honoring widows and elders, and warnings against false teachings and the love of money.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ezekiel 34–35: The True Shepherd and Judgment

• Condemning Unfaithful Shepherds
  • God criticizes Israel’s leaders (“shepherds”), accusing them of exploiting the people and neglecting the weak, sick, and lost (00:07).

    “Ah, shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?” (00:10)

  • The sheep (God’s people) are scattered and vulnerable due to the shepherds’ negligence (00:17).
• God as the Good Shepherd
  • God declares He will personally seek out and care for His people, restoring them and providing for their needs (00:36).

    “I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” (00:38)

  • God promises a future shepherd, "my servant David," as ruler and protector (00:51).
• Promise of Blessing and Peace
  • God pledges to make a "covenant of peace" and bless His people with security and abundance (00:59).

    “There shall be showers of blessing … then they shall know that I am the LORD.” (01:06)

• Judgment Against Mount Seir/Edom
  • A prophetic warning against Edom for their hostility toward Israel, promising desolation as a response to enmity and bloodshed (01:17).

    “I will make you a desolation and a waste … then you will know that I am the LORD.” (01:26)

2. Psalm 122: Joy and Prayer for Jerusalem

• Worship and Community
  • A psalm expressing joy at coming together to worship in Jerusalem and the unity of God’s people (01:33).

    “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (01:34)

• Peace and Security
  • A call to pray for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem, seeking good for the city for the sake of community and worship (01:39).

    “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you.” (01:40)

3. 1 Timothy 4–6: Godliness, Leadership, and Warnings

• Warning Against False Teaching
  • Some will depart from the faith, following deceptive teachings (01:47).

    “The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith…” (01:48)

• Pursuing Godliness over Myths
  • Emphasis on training for godliness, contrasting spiritual discipline with mere bodily training (01:55).

    “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way…” (01:57)

• Exhortation to Timothy & Believers
  • Call to be an example in conduct, speech, love, faith, and purity, regardless of age (02:03).

    “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example…” (02:04)

  • Devote to Scripture reading, teaching, and persistent self-examination (02:09).
• Instructions for Church Relationships and Responsibilities
  • Treat different members of the church (older/younger men, women, widows) with familial respect and purity (02:13).
  • Criteria for caring for widows and encouragement for younger widows to marry and manage households (02:22).

    “If anyone does not provide for his relatives … he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (02:20)

• Elders and Discipline
  • Elders who lead well deserve double honor, especially in teaching (02:29).

    “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor…” (02:30)

• Instructions for Servants and Masters
  • Servants should honor their masters, especially believing masters, to uphold God’s reputation (02:36).
• Warnings Against Greed and False Doctrine
  • The danger of loving money and striving only for material gain is emphasized (02:40).

    “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…” (02:44)

  • Encouragement to flee from these snares and to pursue righteousness and faith (02:48).

    “But as for you, O man of God, flee these; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love…” (02:49)

• Final Instructions and Blessing
  • The rich are urged not to trust in wealth but in God and to be generous (02:56).

    “As for the rich … charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God…” (02:57)

  • Timothy is reminded to guard the truth and avoid pointless debates (03:01).

    “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you…” (03:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• God as the True Shepherd:

  “I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” (Ezekiel 34:11, 00:38)

• Promise of Blessing:

  “There shall be showers of blessing…” (Ezekiel 34:26, 01:06)

• Joy in Worship:

  “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1, 01:34)

• Call to Example:

  “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example…” (1 Timothy 4:12, 02:04)

• Warning Against Greed:

  “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…” (1 Timothy 6:10, 02:44)

• Encouragement for Generosity:

  “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share…” (1 Timothy 6:18, 02:59)

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Ezekiel 34: Condemnation and Shepherding | | 01:17 | Ezekiel 35: Judgment on Mount Seir/Edom | | 01:33 | Psalm 122: Praise for Jerusalem | | 01:47 | 1 Timothy 4–6: Godliness, Church Order, and Warnings | | 02:44 | The Love of Money and True Gain | | 02:56 | Instructions to the Rich, Final Exhortation| | 03:02 | Closing Blessing (“Grace be with you.”) |

Summary Takeaways

This episode weaves together powerful themes of God as our true shepherd and provider, the centrality of worship and communal peace, and the call to godliness, integrity, and generosity in the New Testament. Through these daily readings, listeners are reminded of God’s faithfulness to His people, the blessings of belonging to His family, and the spiritual dangers of complacency, false teaching, and misplaced trust. Each segment encourages believers to pursue righteousness, care for one another, and find their hope not in material wealth but in God Himself.