Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode Date: December 22, 2025
Readings: Obadiah; Jonah 1–4; Psalm 142; Revelation 1

Episode Overview

On December 22, this episode guides listeners through key passages from the Old Testament (Obadiah and Jonah), a Psalm (Psalm 142), and the introduction to the New Testament book of Revelation (Revelation 1). The episode highlights God’s judgment and mercy, the prophet Jonah’s troubled obedience and God’s compassion, David’s desperate plea in Psalm 142, and John’s awe-inspiring vision of the glorified Christ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Obadiah: The Judgment Against Edom

• Theme: God’s pronouncement of judgment on Edom for their pride and violence against their brother Jacob (Israel).
• Edom's false confidence in their strength and position is rebuked:

  “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you...” (00:32)

• God declares that Edom’s allies will betray them, and their wisdom and might will fail (01:32–02:03).
• The prophecy foresees Edom’s total destruction but preserves hope for Israel’s restoration:

  “But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.” (04:05)

2. Jonah: The Prophet’s Struggle with God’s Mercy

• Chapters Covered: Jonah 1–4
• Key Points:
  • Jonah Flees God’s Mission: Sent to call Nineveh to repentance, Jonah instead boards a ship to Tarshish, running from God (04:38–06:00).
  • Jonah’s Storm and Confession: After a God-sent storm, Jonah admits his guilt and is cast into the sea to save the sailors.

    “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea... for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” (08:11)

  • Jonah’s Prayer: From the belly of the fish, Jonah acknowledges God’s deliverance:

    “I called out to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me... Salvation belongs to the Lord.” (10:00–11:09)

  • Nineveh’s Repentance: After Jonah finally preaches, Nineveh responds with genuine repentance, and God spares the city (12:32–13:58).
  • Jonah’s Anger and God’s Lesson: Jonah resents God’s mercy, and God teaches him through the plant that His compassion extends to all:

    “Should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons... and also much cattle?” (16:53)

3. Psalm 142: David’s Cave Prayer

• Setting: David is hiding from his enemies, isolated and desperate (17:40).
• Key Themes: Honest lament, dependence on God as refuge:

  “I cry to you, O Lord. I say, you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living... Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name.” (18:32–19:05)

4. Revelation 1: John’s Vision of the Glorified Christ

• Introduction: The book opens with a vision meant for “the seven churches in Asia,” emphasizing urgency:

  “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (19:41)

• Glorious Revelation:
  • Jesus is portrayed in majestic, symbolic imagery—white hair, blazing eyes, a voice like “the roar of many waters.”

    “In the midst of the lampstands, one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest...” (22:06)

  • Christ’s words:

    “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (24:01)

• Symbols Explained: The “seven stars” are the angels of the churches, and the “seven lampstands” are the churches themselves (25:15).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Justice:

  “For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you.” (Obadiah, 03:15)

• On God’s Mercy:

  “For I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” (Jonah, 15:42)

• On Human Lament:

  “No refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O Lord.” (Psalm 142, 18:45)

• On Christ’s Sovereignty:

  “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him... I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1, 20:32 & 20:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Obadiah Reading: 00:00–04:30
• Jonah 1–4 Reading: 04:31–17:30
• Psalm 142 Reading: 17:31–19:08
• Revelation 1 Reading: 19:09–25:53

Flow and Tone

The episode maintains a reverent and contemplative tone, closely echoing the solemnity and depth of the Biblical text. The readings move smoothly, offering a rich tapestry of God’s justice (Obadiah), compassion (Jonah), personal lament (Psalm), and cosmic hope (Revelation).

Summary

This episode weaves together stories of prophetic warning, reluctant obedience, heartfelt prayer, and awe-struck vision. Listeners are offered both comfort and challenge: God judges the proud, extends mercy to the penitent, hears the cry of the desperate, and reigns in majesty as the Alpha and Omega. Each passage builds on the message that God is intimately involved in both individual lives and the scope of world history.