Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: February 16—Exodus 37–38; Psalm 43; Luke 7
Host: Crossway
Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode continues the year-long journey through the Bible, with readings from Exodus 37–38 (the meticulous construction of the tabernacle), Psalm 43 (a plea for vindication and hope in God), and Luke 7 (a series of powerful encounters with Jesus: the faith of the centurion, the raising of the widow’s son, John the Baptist’s doubts, and the forgiveness of a sinful woman). The readings highlight themes of reverence, faith, compassion, and forgiveness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exodus 37–38: The Craft of Worship

• Artisan Obedience: Bezalel and Aholiab meticulously construct the Ark, altar, furnishings, and court exactly as God commanded Moses. Every detail—material, measurement, ornamentation—reflects divine instruction and sacred significance.
• Materials and Generosity: The generosity of the people is reflected in the abundance of precious materials (gold, silver, bronze; [03:30]–[05:50]) used in the tabernacle. The account notes precise weights of metals offered, symbolizing serious dedication.
• Community Involvement: The work's completion involves contributions and skills of the wider Israelite community, especially noted in the mention of "ministering women" who donated mirrors for the bronze basin ([04:56]).
• Holy Order: The repeated phrase “as the Lord commanded Moses” ([05:34]) underscores the importance of reverence and obedience in worship.

Notable Quote:

“Bezalel ... made all that the Lord commanded Moses. And with him was Aholiab... an engraver and designer, an embroiderer, in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.” — [05:34]

2. Psalm 43: Longing for God’s Vindication and Light

• Raw Petition: The psalmist pleads for justice against adversaries, feeling abandoned but still reaching out to God for deliverance ([07:03]).
• Reliance and Hope: The tension between despair (“Why have you rejected me?”) and hope (“Hope in God, for I shall again praise him”) reveals faith that endures inner turmoil ([07:36]).
• Light and Truth as Guides: The psalmist seeks God’s “light and ... truth” to lead him back to worship and joy ([07:18]).

Notable Quote:

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” — [07:38]

3. Luke 7: Revolutionary Encounters with Jesus

A. The Centurion’s Faith ([07:47]–[08:51])

• Humility & Authority: The centurion demonstrates humility (“I am not worthy to have you come under my roof”) and remarkable faith in Jesus’ authority (“say the word, and let my servant be healed”).
• Jesus’ Astonishment: Jesus publicly acknowledges the uniqueness of the centurion’s faith:

  “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” — Jesus ([08:41])

B. Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain ([08:51]–[09:20])

• Compassion in Action: Jesus comforts a grieving widow, then miraculously restores her only son to life, sparking awe and recognizing him as a prophet:

  “Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has arisen among us!’” ([09:15])

• Divine Visitation: The crowd testifies, “God has visited his people,” and the news spreads widely.

C. John the Baptist’s Question ([09:54]–[10:34])

• Seeking Assurance: John, through his disciples, asks if Jesus is the “one who is to come.”
• Evidence of the Kingdom: Jesus highlights his works—healing, restoration, good news to the poor—as signs of messianic fulfillment:

  “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.” — ([10:11])

D. Greatness and the Rejection by Some ([10:50]–[11:13])

• John’s Significance:

  “Among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” — ([10:50])

• Mixed Reception: Tax collectors rejoice; Pharisees and lawyers resist, illustrating division over recognizing God’s work and message.

E. A Parable of Social Reactivity ([11:15]–[11:36])

• Children in the Marketplace: Jesus likens the generation’s response to children who find fault no matter what, criticizing both John the Baptist and Jesus for different reasons.

  “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.” — ([11:22])

F. Forgiveness for a Sinful Woman ([11:45]–end])

• True Hospitality vs. Genuine Repentance: A Pharisee offers Jesus formal hospitality, but a “woman of the city” offers costly, heartfelt devotion. Her extravagant love is rooted in the profound forgiveness she experiences.
• Teaching Through Parable: Jesus contrasts the hearts of the Pharisee and the woman through the story of two debtors, illustrating that gratitude and love grow with awareness of forgiveness.

  “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” — Jesus ([12:33]) “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” — Jesus to the woman ([12:51])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Exodus 37–38: Tabernacle Details — [00:01]–[07:03]
• Psalm 43: Cry for Vindication and Hope — [07:03]–[07:43]
• Luke 7: Centurion’s Faith — [07:47]–[08:51]
• Luke 7: Widow’s Son Raised — [08:51]–[09:20]
• Luke 7: John’s Question / Miracles as Signs — [09:54]–[10:34]
• Luke 7: Greatness of John & Mixed Reception — [10:50]–[11:13]
• Luke 7: Parable of Unresponsive Children — [11:15]–[11:36]
• Luke 7: Forgiveness of the Sinful Woman — [11:45]–end

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I am not worthy to have you come under my roof ... but say the word, and let my servant be healed.”
— The Centurion ([08:14])

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
— Jesus ([08:41])

“Young man, I say to you, arise.”
— Jesus raises the widow’s son ([09:10])

“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
— Jesus ([12:33])

“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
— Jesus ([12:51])

Summary

This episode juxtaposes Old Testament reverence and order in worship with vivid New Testament encounters with Jesus, highlighting faith, humility, compassion, and radical forgiveness. The readings invite reflection on attentive obedience (Exodus), dependent hope in hardship (Psalm 43), and the transformative power of encountering Jesus—whether through healing, raising the dead, answering doubts, or forgiving sin (Luke 7). Each story, while rooted in its own context, echoes the invitation to trust, rejoice, and respond to God’s presence with open-hearted worship and gratitude.