February 23 (Leviticus 10–11; Psalm 50; Luke 14)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry Episode: February 23, 2025
Passages Covered: Leviticus 10–11; Psalm 50; Luke 14

---

Introduction

In this episode of Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry, hosted by Crossway, listeners embark on a profound journey through selected scriptures. The episode delves into the intricate laws of the Old Testament, the profound declarations of God's righteousness in the Psalms, and the transformative teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and thematic elements presented in the readings of Leviticus 10–11, Psalm 50, and Luke 14.

---

Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 10–11

Narrative Overview: The episode begins with a dramatic recounting of the tragic event involving Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offer "unauthorized fire" before the Lord, resulting in their immediate demise (Leviticus 10:1-2). This stark narrative sets the tone for the ensuing discussions on holiness, obedience, and the serious consequences of deviating from divine instructions.

Key Themes and Insights:

1. Holiness and Obedience:

   • The narrative underscores the paramount importance of adhering strictly to God's commandments. Nadab and Abihu's presumptuous act serves as a solemn reminder that holiness is non-negotiable.
   • Notable Quote: Moses emphasizes the need for sanctification and glorification before the people, stating, "Will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified" ([00:26]).

2. Consequences of Disobedience:

   • The severe punishment of Nadab and Abihu highlights that unauthorized worship disrupts the sanctity of the sanctuary and endangers the entire congregation.
   • Notable Quote: Aaron, in a moment of accountability, laments, "If I had eaten the sin offering...” leading Moses to assert, "Today, would the Lord have approved?" ([02:35]-[03:12]).

3. Dietary Laws and Purity:

   • Leviticus 11 is meticulously detailed, outlining clean and unclean animals, emphasizing purity in consumption and daily life.
   • Notable Quote: God instructs Moses and Aaron, "You are to distinguish between the holy and the common and between the unclean and the clean" ([01:30]).

4. Maintaining Community Sanctity:

   • The instructions extend beyond individual actions to communal practices, ensuring that the entire house of Israel remains pure and devout.
   • Notable Quote: "Conserve yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am holy" reinforces the collective responsibility towards holiness ([07:55]-[08:12]).

---

Psalms Reading: Psalm 50

Narrative Overview: Transitioning to the Psalms, Psalm 50 is presented as a divine proclamation from God, emphasizing His sovereignty and the true essence of worship. This passage serves as both a warning and a call to genuine devotion.

Key Themes and Insights:

1. God's Sovereignty and Judgment:

   • The Psalm portrays God as the ultimate judge who commands the earth, asserting His authority over all creation.
   • Notable Quote: "Out of Zion the perfection of beauty. God shines forth. Our God comes. He does not keep silence" ([08:39]-[08:54]).

2. True Worship vs. Ritual Sacrifice:

   • God critiques the superficiality of mere sacrifices, emphasizing that heartfelt thanksgiving and righteous living are what He truly desires.
   • Notable Quote: "Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you... Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High" ([09:10]-[10:00]).

3. Call to Righteousness and Integrity:

   • The Psalm highlights the importance of ethical conduct, condemning deceit, slander, and moral decay among the people.
   • Notable Quote: "You who forget God, lest I tear you apart and there be none to deliver... I will show the salvation of God" ([10:22]-[10:38]).

4. Accountability and Repentance:

   • There's a strong emphasis on accountability, urging listeners to reflect on their actions and return to genuine faith.
   • Notable Quote: "I rebuke you and lay the charge before you" serves as a direct call to self-examination and repentance ([10:00]-[10:22]).

---

New Testament Reading: Luke 14

Narrative Overview: The episode culminates with a reading from Luke 14, where Jesus imparts critical lessons on humility, generosity, and the cost of discipleship. Through parables and direct teachings, Jesus challenges conventional mindsets and calls for profound personal commitment.

Key Themes and Insights:

1. Healing on the Sabbath and Compassion:

   • Jesus addresses the legality of performing good deeds on the Sabbath, prioritizing compassion over rigid adherence to rules.
   • Notable Quote: Jesus questions the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" ([10:38]-[10:41]).

2. Humility in Social Interactions:

   • Using the parable of choosing the lowest place at a banquet, Jesus teaches that true honor comes through humility rather than self-promotion.
   • Notable Quote: "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" ([10:55]-[11:32]).

3. Generosity and Selflessness:

   • The teaching encourages inviting those who cannot repay, such as the poor and marginalized, to establish a foundation of unmerited generosity.
   • Notable Quote: "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed" ([12:01]-[12:26]).

4. Commitment and the Cost of Discipleship:

   • Jesus emphasizes that following Him requires total commitment, even to the point of prioritizing Him over personal and familial ties.
   • Notable Quote: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple" ([12:49]-[12:55]).

5. Counting the Cost:

   • The analogy of building a tower and a king preparing for war illustrates the necessity of deliberate consideration before undertaking the journey of discipleship.
   • Notable Quote: "Whether he has enough to complete it... he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace" ([13:05]-[13:22]).

6. Being the "Salt of the Earth":

   • Jesus concludes by highlighting the importance of preserving one's distinctiveness and value, warning against losing one's inherent 'saltiness.'
   • Notable Quote: "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored" ([13:23]-[13:38]).

---

Conclusion

This episode intricately weaves together the solemn laws of Leviticus, the righteous declarations of Psalm 50, and the provocative teachings of Luke 14 to present a cohesive narrative on holiness, genuine worship, humility, and unwavering commitment. Jackie Hill Perry, through the readings, invites listeners to reflect deeply on their spiritual walk, challenging them to embody the principles of faith, integrity, and selfless devotion. By bridging the Old and New Testaments, the episode underscores the timeless relevance of these scriptures in guiding believers towards a life of sanctity and purposeful discipleship.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Leviticus 10:26 – "Will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified" ([00:26]).
• Leviticus 11:30 – "You are to distinguish between the holy and the common and between the unclean and the clean" ([01:30]).
• Psalm 50:1 – "Out of Zion the perfection of beauty. God shines forth. Our God comes. He does not keep silence" ([08:39]-[08:54]).
• Psalm 50:16-17 – "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High" ([09:10]-[10:00]).
• Luke 14:11 – "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" ([10:55]-[11:32]).
• Luke 14:27 – "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" ([12:49]-[12:55]).
• Luke 14:34-35 – "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored" ([13:23]-[13:38]).

---

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the February 23 episode, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a clear understanding of the key messages and themes explored through the sacred scriptures.

Transcript

[Narrator]

A reading from the book of Leviticus.

[Moses]

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of.

[Aaron]

Aaron, each took his censer and put.

[Moses]

Fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, this is what the Lord has said.

[Aaron]

Among those who are near me, I.

[Moses]

Will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. And Moses called Mishael and El Zaphan.

[Aaron]

The sons of Uzziel, the uncle of.

[Moses]

Aaron, and said to them, come near.

[Aaron]

Carry your brothers away from the front.

[Moses]

Of the sanctuary and out of the camp.

[Aaron]

So they came near and carried them.

[Moses]

In their coats out of the camp.

[God]

As Moses had said.

[Aaron]

And Moses said to Aaron and to.

[Moses]

Eliezer and Ithamar, his sons, do not.

[Aaron]

Let the hair of your heads hang.

[Moses]

Loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die. And wrath come upon all the congregation. But let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning that the Lord has kindled.

[Aaron]

And do not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting, lest you.

[Moses]

Die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses. And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, drink no wine or strong drink you or your sons with you when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.

[Aaron]

You are to distinguish between the holy and the common and between the unclean and the clean. And you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the.

[Moses]

Lord has spoken to them by Moses.

[Aaron]

Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eliezer.

[Moses]

And Ithamar, his surviving sons. Take the grain offering that is left through the Lord's food offerings and eat it unleavened beside the altar, for it is most holy.

[Aaron]

You shall eat it in a holy.

[Moses]

Place, because it is your due and your son's due from the Lord's food offerings, for so I am commanded. But the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed, you shall eat in a clean place, you and your sons and your daughters with you.

[Aaron]

For they are given as your due.

[Moses]

And your sons due from the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the people of Israel. The thigh that is contributed and the breast that is waved, they shall bring with the food offerings of the fat pieces to wave for a wave offering before the Lord, and it shall be.

[Aaron]

Yours and your sons with you.

[Moses]

As ado Forever, as the Lord has commanded.

[Aaron]

Now, Moses diligently inquired about the goat.

[Moses]

Of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up.

[Aaron]

And he was angry with Eleazar and.

[Moses]

Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying.

[Aaron]

Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation to make atonement for them before the Lord? Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly ought to have eaten it.

[Moses]

In the sanctuary as I commanded. And Aaron said to Moses, behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord.

[Aaron]

And yet such things as these have happened to me. If I had eaten the sin offering.

[Moses]

Today, would the Lord have approved? And when Moses heard that, he approved.

[Aaron]

And the Lord spoke to Moses and.

[Moses]

Aaron, saying to them, speak to the people of Israel, saying, these are the.

[Aaron]

Living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth, whatever parts the hoof and is cloven footed, and choose the cud among.

[Moses]

The animals you may eat.

[Aaron]

Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud.

[Moses]

Or part the hoof, you shall not eat these.

[Aaron]

The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof is unclean to you. And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their.

[Moses]

Flesh, and you shall not touch their.

[Aaron]

Carcasses they are unclean to you. These you may eat of all that are in the waters. Everything in the waters that has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat. But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and.

[Moses]

Scales of the swarming creatures in the waters, and of the living creatures that.

[Aaron]

Are in the waters is detestable to you. You shall regard them as detestable. You shall not eat any of their.

[Moses]

Flesh, and and you shall detest their carcasses.

[Aaron]

Everything in the waters that does not have fins and scales is detestable to you. And these you shall detest among the.

[Moses]

Birds, they shall not be eaten.

[Aaron]

They are detestable. The eagle, the bearded vulture, the black.

[Moses]

Vulture, the kite, the falcon of any kind, every raven of any kind, the ostrich, the nighthawk, the seagull, the hawk of any kind, the little owl, the cormorant, the short eared owl, the barn owl, the tawny owl, the carrion vulture.

[Aaron]

The stark, the heron of any kind.

[Moses]

The hoopoe and the bat.

[Aaron]

All winged insects that go on all fours are detestable to you. Yet among the winged insects that go on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet.

[Moses]

With which to hop on the ground.

[God]

Of them you may eat the locust.

[Moses]

Of any kind, the bald locust of any kind, the cricket of any kind, and the grasshopper of any kind.

[Aaron]

But all other winged insects that have.

[Moses]

Four feet are detestable to you. And by these you shall become unclean. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.

[Aaron]

And whoever carries any part of their.

[Moses]

Carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.

[Aaron]

Every animal that parts the hoof but.

[Moses]

Is not cloven footed or does not.

[Aaron]

Chew the cud is unclean to you.

[Moses]

Everyone who touches them shall be unclean.

[Aaron]

And all that walk on their paws among the animals that go on all.

[Moses]

Fours are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.

[Aaron]

And he who carries their carcass shall.

[Moses]

Wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.

[Aaron]

They are unclean to you, and these are unclean to you.

[Moses]

Among the swarming things that swarm on the ground, the mole rat, the mouse, the great lizard of any kind, the gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the.

[Aaron]

Sand lizard and the chameleon, these are unclean to you.

[Moses]

Among all that swarm. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening.

[Aaron]

And anything on which any of them.

[Moses]

Falls when they are dead shall be unclean.

[Aaron]

Whether it is an article of wood or a garment or a skin or.

[Moses]

A sack, any article that is used for any purpose, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening. Then it shall be clean.

[Aaron]

And if any of them falls into.

[Moses]

Any earthenware vessel, all that is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it. Any food in it that could be eaten on which water comes shall be unclean.

[Aaron]

And all drink that can be drunk.

[Moses]

From every such vessel shall be unclean.

[Aaron]

And everything on which any part of.

[Moses]

Their carcass falls shall be unclean, whether oven or stove, it shall be broken in pieces.

[Aaron]

They are unclean and shall remain unclean for you. Nevertheless. A spring or a cistern holding water shall be clean.

[Moses]

But whoever touches A carcass in them shall be unclean.

[Aaron]

And if any part of their carcass falls upon any seed grain that is.

[Moses]

To be sown, it is clean.

[Aaron]

But if water is put on the seed and any part of their carcass.

[Moses]

Falls on it, it is unclean to you.

[Aaron]

And if any animal which you may.

[Moses]

Eat dies, whoever touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening. And whoever eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.

[Aaron]

And whoever carries the carcass shall wash.

[Moses]

His clothes and be unclean until the evening.

[Aaron]

Every swarming thing that swarms on the ground is detestable.

[Moses]

It shall not be eaten whatever goes on its belly and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet.

[Aaron]

Any swarming thing that swarms on the.

[Moses]

Ground you shall not eat, for they are detestable.

[Aaron]

You shall not make yourselves detestable with any swarming thing that swarms.

[Moses]

And you shall not defile yourselves with them and become unclean through them. For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the Lord who brought.

[Aaron]

You up out of the land of.

[Moses]

Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground to make a.

[Aaron]

Distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that.

[Moses]

May not be eaten.

[Aaron]

A reading from the book of Psalms.

[Narrator]

A psalm of Asaph, the Mighty one. God, the Lord speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion the perfection of beauty. God shines forth. Our God comes. He does not keep silence.

[Aaron]

Before him is a devouring fire, around.

[Narrator]

Him a mighty tempest. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth that he may judge his people. Gather to me, my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice the heavens declare his righteousness. For God himself is Judge.

[God]

Selah.

[Narrator]

Hear, O my people, and I will speak. O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you. Your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine. The cattle on a thousand hills I know all the birds of the hills. And all that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and perform your vows to the Most High and call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. But to the wicked God says, what right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips?

[God]

For you hate discipline, and you cast.

[Narrator]

My words behind you. If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers. You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother's son. These things you have done, and I have been silent. You thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

[Aaron]

Mark this, then.

[Narrator]

You who forget God, lest I tear you apart and there be none to deliver. The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me to one who orders his way rightly. I will show the salvation of God.

[Aaron]

A reading of the Gospel According to Luke.

[God]

One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully, and behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not? But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, which of you, having a son or an ox, that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out? And they could not reply to these things. Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, when you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him. And he who invited you both will come and say to you, give your.

[Moses]

Place to this person.

[God]

And then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, friend, move up higher. Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. He said also to the man who had invited him, when you give a.

[Moses]

Dinner or banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives.

[God]

Or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God. But he said to him, a man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at that time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, come, for everything is now ready. But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them, Please have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame. And the servant said, sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room. And the master said to the servant, go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, if anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost? Whether he has enough to complete it Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, this man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate Whether he is able with 10,000 to meet him who comes against him with 20,000. And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored. It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.