Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: December 6 (Ezekiel 42–44; Psalm 126; Philemon)
Host: Crossway
Date: December 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues the journey of reading through the Bible in a year, featuring Old Testament passages from Ezekiel 42–44, a Psalm (126), and a New Testament letter (Philemon). The readings focus on themes of God’s holiness and presence among His people, restoration, joy through suffering, and the call to mercy and reconciliation in Christian community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ezekiel 42–44: The Restoration of the Temple and Holiness

• Temple Architecture & Sacred Spaces (00:04–04:40):

  • Ezekiel’s guided vision continues with detailed descriptions of the temple’s northern and southern chambers, emphasizing their size, structure, and holy function for the priests.
  • Special garments and rituals underline the division between the holy and the common (“When the priests enter the holy place, they shall not go out of it into the outer court without laying there the garments…” — 03:43).

• God’s Glory Returns (04:41–06:12):

  • Central vision: The glory of God returns from the east, filling the temple, echoing earlier visions when God’s presence left due to Israel’s sin.
  • Ezekiel’s response is overwhelming awe and reverence:

    "And I fell on my face as the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east. The spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court. And behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple." (05:38–05:58)

• God’s Promise of Indwelling (06:13–07:35):

  • God declares the temple as “the place of my throne...where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever.”
  • Judgment pronounced: Israel’s history of unfaithfulness laid bare; a future relationship based on repentance and restored boundaries.

• Temple Regulations and Priesthood (07:36–11:18):

  • Detailed guidelines for altar, sacrifices, and the responsibilities of priests, particularly of the sons of Zadok, who remain faithful.
  • Strong insistence on separation, purity, and teaching the people difference between “the holy and the common… the unclean and the clean.”
  • Unique inheritance for priests:

    “This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance… I am their possession.” (10:49–10:57)

2. Psalm 126: Joy After Suffering and Longing for Restoration

(11:21–11:59)

• Song of Ascents — A communal song recalling God’s past restoration of Zion, characterized by joy so deep it feels dreamlike:

  “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.” (11:28–11:38)

• Themes of Expectant Hope:

  • Petition for renewed restoration: “Restore our fortunes, O Lord…”
  • Hope that sorrow (“those who sow in tears”) will turn to joy (“shall reap with shouts of joy”).

3. Philemon: Reconciliation and Gospel-Centered Compassion

(11:59–end)

• Paul’s Introduction and Personal Plea (12:03–12:32):

  • Paul, writing from prison, appeals to Philemon regarding Onesimus, a runaway slave who became a Christian through Paul’s ministry.

• Transformation and Reimagined Relationship (12:33–12:58):

  • “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me… I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.”
    (12:38–12:47)
  • Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus no longer as a slave, “but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother…”

• Sacrificial Intercession & Gospel Motivation (12:59–13:33):

  • Paul offers to personally repay any debt:

    "If he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it..." (13:07–13:13)

  • Paul hopes Philemon will respond with obedience “not by compulsion, but of your own accord.”

• Closing & Fellowship (13:34–end):

  • Greetings from the Christian community. Paul asks for a guest room, expressing hope for continued relationship.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Ezekiel's Awe at God’s Glory:
  “And I fell on my face as the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east.” (05:55)

• God’s Statement of Presence:
  “This is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever.” (06:13–06:19)

• Distinctiveness of God’s People:
  “They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.” (10:38–10:43)

• Psalmist’s Grateful Reflection:
  “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.” (11:28–11:38)

• Paul’s Radical Call to Reconciliation:
  “If he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it…” (13:07–13:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ezekiel 42–44: 00:01–11:21
• Psalm 126: 11:21–11:59
• Philemon: 11:59–end

Conclusion

This episode draws listeners into Israel’s hope of restored intimacy with God, the longing for renewed joy after trial, and the lived-out reality of Gospel transformation within relationships. Through temple blueprints and Psalmic poetry, and then a personal New Testament appeal, the readings together highlight the holiness, joy, and reconciliation at the heart of the Christian story.