Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: December 3 (Ezekiel 36–37; Psalm 123; 2 Timothy 1–2)
Host: Crossway
Date: December 3, 2025

Overview

This episode continues the journey through daily ESV Bible readings, featuring Old Testament prophecy (Ezekiel 36–37), a Psalm of petition and hope (Psalm 123), and New Testament exhortation and encouragement (2 Timothy 1–2). The core themes explore Israel’s restoration, revival from despair, seeking God’s mercy, Christian perseverance, and faithfulness in ministry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Restoration and Renewal Promised to Israel (Ezekiel 36)

• Addressing the Land: God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the land itself, declaring forthcoming blessings after a period of judgment and scorn.
  • “But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home.” (00:04)
• God’s Motivation for Restoration: Restoration is not for Israel’s sake, but for God’s holy name.
  • “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name…” (00:16)
• Transformation of the People:
  • God promises spiritual renewal: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” (00:20)
  • Cleansing from idolatry and a return to true worship.

2. The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37)

• Vision of Hopelessness and Restoration:
  • Ezekiel is set in a valley of dry bones; God asks: “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel answers, “O Lord God, you know.” (00:44)
  • God commands Ezekiel to prophesy, and the bones come together, are given flesh, and are revived by breath (spirit).
  • Key Message: Restoration and hope are possible even in the bleakest circumstances.
  • “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land.” (00:54)
• National Reunion and Peace:
  • The two sticks becoming one symbolizes the reunification of Israel’s tribes under one king.
  • “They shall be no longer two nations… and David my servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd.” (01:10)
  • God’s presence and peace are promised: “My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (01:16)

3. Supplication for Mercy (Psalm 123)

• A Song of Dependence:
  • The psalmist compares the community’s posture toward God to servants watching their masters’ hands.
    • “Our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.” (01:24)
  • Honest expression of pain and longing for relief from contempt and oppression.
  • “Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.” (01:27)

4. Encouragement and Faithfulness in Ministry (2 Timothy 1–2)

• Paul’s Pastoral Charge to Timothy:
  • Recalling the sincere faith Timothy inherited from his mother and grandmother, and encouraging him to be bold.
  • “For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” (01:35)
  • Paul exhorts Timothy to not be ashamed of the gospel or Paul’s chains, but to share in necessary suffering.
    • “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God…” (01:46)
• Preserving the Faith:
  • “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (02:07)
  • “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (02:12)
• Call to Endure Hardship:
  • Paul compares Christian perseverance to soldiers, athletes, and farmers.
    • “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (02:20)
    • “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” (02:24)
  • The Gospel is unstoppable: “…the word of God is not bound.” (02:37)
• Endurance and Faithfulness:
  • “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” (02:45)
  • Emphasis on living with integrity and avoiding divisive disputes.
    • “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (02:53)
• Character of Christian Servants:
  • “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.” (03:05)
  • Importance of pursuing righteousness, faith, love, peace, and correcting gently, “that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil…” (03:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Israel’s Restoration:
  “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (00:20)
• On God’s Motivation:
  “It is not for your sake…that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name…” (00:16)
• On Hope in Despair:
  “Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost. We are indeed cut off.” (Ezekiel’s summary of Israel’s mood, 00:50)
• On the Perseverance of Faith:
  “For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” (01:35)
• On Endurance:
  “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” (02:45)
• On Christian Service:
  “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting opponents with gentleness.” (03:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ezekiel 36—Promise of Restoration: 00:01–00:42
• Ezekiel 37—Valley of Dry Bones & National Reunion: 00:43–01:23
• Psalm 123—Supplication for Mercy: 01:24–01:29
• 2 Timothy 1—Faith and Courage: 01:30–02:14
• 2 Timothy 2—Faithfulness and Endurance: 02:15–03:19

Tone and Language

• The tone throughout is solemn, reverent, and hopeful, reflecting the scriptural readings.
• The language used is faithful to the ESV translation, emphasizing both the gravity of judgment and the lavishness of God’s mercy.

Summary

This episode weaves together the prophetic vision of Israel’s restoration (Ezekiel), a heartfelt plea for mercy (Psalm 123), and urgent encouragement to remain faithful and endure suffering (2 Timothy). Listeners are reminded of God’s sovereign grace, the possibility of renewal even from spiritual death, and the call to live uprightly as Christ’s followers.

Ideal for listeners seeking:

• Encouragement about God’s renewing power
• Insights on enduring trials with faith
• A daily, immersive journey through Scripture