Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Host: Crossway
Episode Date: February 20, 2026
Readings: Leviticus 5–6; Psalm 47; Luke 11

Overview

This episode continues the chronological journey through the Bible, focusing on ritual laws and atonement in Leviticus, themes of God's universal reign in Psalm 47, and Jesus’ teaching on prayer, faith, and the hypocrisy of legalism in Luke 11. The selected passages invite listeners to reflect on forgiveness, humility, spiritual discipline, and the character of God as revealed through both law and grace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leviticus 5–6: Laws of Sin, Guilt, and Atonement

• Confession and Guilt Offerings
  The text outlines what actions constitute sin—even unintentional ones—and the appropriate sacrifices and confessions required to receive atonement and forgiveness (00:01–04:18).
  • Sins include hearing a public adjuration and not testifying, touching unclean things unknowingly, or making rash oaths.
  • A process for restitution: sins against neighbors, theft or deception require not only an offering but also restoration plus a fifth of the value (03:44).
• Accessibility of Forgiveness
  There’s an intentional sliding scale for required sacrifices, making atonement possible for everyone "If he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring... two turtledoves or two pigeons…" (00:55).
• Priestly Duties and Perpetual Fire Details of offerings, sacrificial protocol, and the constant fire on the altar emphasize ongoing fellowship and holiness (04:21–07:25).
• Notable Quote
  “He shall confess the sin he has committed…and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin, and he shall be forgiven.” (00:55)

2. Psalm 47: Sovereignty and Praise of God

• Call to Universal Worship
  “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy.” (07:28)
• God as King Over All
  The psalm exalts God’s dominion over nations, celebrating His sovereignty and inviting all to recognize His authority.
• Memorable Refrain:
  “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth.” (07:59)

3. Luke 11: Prayer, Faith, Authority, and Warnings

A. Teaching the Disciples to Pray (08:26–09:11)

• The Lord’s Prayer:
  Jesus answers, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread…”
  Emphasizes dependence on God, forgiveness, and spiritual guidance.
• Persistency in Prayer:
  Parable of the friend at midnight illustrates bold persistence:
  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (09:10)
• God as Good Father:
  Jesus assures listeners that God delights to give good gifts, especially the Holy Spirit, to those who ask.

B. Jesus’ Authority over Demons and Divided Kingdoms (09:24–13:07)

• Casting out a mute demon prompts controversy—accusations that He acts by Beelzebul.
• Divine Validation:
  “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (11:14)
• Strong warnings on spiritual neutrality:
  “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (11:23)

C. True Blessedness: Listening and Obedience (13:08–13:40)

• A woman blesses Jesus’ mother, but He replies:
  “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” (13:35)

D. Sign of Jonah and Warnings Against Spiritual Blindness (13:41–14:55)

• No additional sign except Jonah:
  People are challenged to repentance, recognizing “something greater than Jonah is here.”
• The lamp and the eye:
  A metaphor for spiritual health—being filled with light versus darkness.

E. Controversy at the Pharisee’s Dinner: Woes to Legalists (14:56–End)

• Jesus critiques the Pharisees:
  • Surface vs. Inner Holiness:
    “You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” (15:03)
  • Neglecting Justice and Love:
    “You tithe mint and rue… and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (15:22)
  • Warning to Lawyers:
    “You load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.” (16:03)
• Strong rebuke for hypocrisy, blocking access to the truth, and building on the flawed legacies of their ancestors.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Confession and Forgiveness:
  “He shall confess the sin he has committed…and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin, and he shall be forgiven.” (Leviticus 5, 00:55)
• Universal Call to Praise:
  “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy.” (Psalm 47, 07:28)
• On the Nature of Prayer:
  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11, 09:10)
• On True Blessedness:
  “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” (Luke 11, 13:35)
• Against Hypocrisy:
  “You cleanse the outside of the cup… but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11, 15:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Leviticus Laws of Atonement: 00:01–07:25
• Psalm 47 Reading: 07:28–08:22
• Luke 11 (Prayer, Authority, Woes): 08:26–End

Tone and Language

The episode remains reverent, solemn, and didactic, with the scripture readings delivered in a reflective and declarative style. The tone emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the generosity of divine forgiveness, as well as the universal scope of God’s reign and the radical teachings of Jesus on prayer and righteousness.

Conclusion

This episode draws a sweeping arc from Old Testament sacrifice and ritual purity to the universal praise of God in the Psalms, culminating in Christ’s radical invitation to authentic prayer and heart-deep obedience. It challenges listeners to examine their relationship to God’s commands, their approach to prayer, and their openness to both repentance and mercy.