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

Date: February 24, 2026
Episode Focus: Leviticus 12–13, Psalm 51, Luke 15

Overview

This episode continues the structured daily journey through the Bible, featuring dramatic readings from Leviticus, Psalm 51, and Luke 15. The selected passages explore themes of ritual cleanliness, deep repentance, and the joyful celebration of redemption. The episode’s tone is reverent, meditative, and reflective, allowing the Scriptures to speak directly and powerfully.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leviticus 12–13: Ritual Purity and the Law of Leprosy

(00:01–09:56)

• Childbirth and Purification (12:1–8):

  • Leviticus outlines the periods of purification for women after childbirth—different durations for male and female children.
  • Prescribes offerings for atonement, accommodating socio-economic status (lamb or birds).

  "And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons... and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean." (02:09)

• Leprous Diseases (13:1–59):

  • Detailed procedures for diagnosing skin diseases (“leprosy”) and deciding ritual cleanliness.
  • Priestly role emphasized: systematic examination, quarantine, and pronouncement.
  • Nuances around varied skin symptoms, boils, burns, and conditions on garments or objects.
  • Social and spiritual ramifications: isolation for the unclean, restoration for the healed.

  "The leprous person... shall wear torn clothes... cover his upper lip and cry out, 'unclean, unclean.' He shall remain unclean... He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp." (08:37)

  "This is the law for a case of leper's disease... to determine whether it is clean or unclean." (09:56)

2. Psalm 51: The Prayer of Repentance

(10:23–12:10)

• Context: David’s confession following his sin with Bathsheba.

• Themes:

  • Sincere plea for mercy, recognition of personal sin, and desire for internal transformation.
  • Contrast between external sacrifices and the value of a contrite, broken spirit.
  • Hope for restoration and renewal in God’s presence.

  "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions..." (10:23)

  "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me." (11:13)

  "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (11:45)

3. Luke 15: Parables of Lost and Found

(12:10–End)

• Jesus' Welcoming of Sinners (12:14–12:30):

  • Tax collectors and sinners gather to hear Jesus, causing the Pharisees to grumble at his open-heartedness.

  "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (12:17)

• The Parable of the Lost Sheep (12:17–12:53):

  • The shepherd’s diligent pursuit of one lost sheep, ending in joy at its recovery.
  • Emphasis on heaven’s joy over one repentant sinner.

  "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost... there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (12:37–12:53)

• The Parable of the Lost Coin (12:55–13:16):

  • A woman’s careful search for a lost coin, celebration with friends upon finding it.
  • Joy before the angels over one sinner’s repentance.

  "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (12:59–13:03)

• The Parable of the Prodigal Son (13:16–End):

  • A younger son demands his inheritance, squanders it in reckless living, and descends into poverty.
  • In humility, he returns home, prepared to be a servant. His father’s extravagant welcome—robe, ring, feast—symbolizes grace and restoration.
  • The elder brother’s resentment contrasts with the father’s generosity: the episode closes on the theme of rejoicing over redemption.

  "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion and ran and embraced him and kissed him." (13:38)

  "For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (14:05, 14:55)

  "It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead and is alive; he was lost, and is found." (End)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Mercy and Transformation:
  "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." (11:07)

• On God’s Delight:
  "You delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." (10:49)

• On Heaven’s Rejoicing:
  "There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (13:05)

• On Restoration:
  "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours... Your brother was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found." (14:55–End)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Leviticus 12–13 (Ritual Laws and Leprosy): 00:01–09:56
• Psalm 51 (Prayer of Repentance): 10:23–12:10
• Luke 15 (Lost Sheep, Coin, and Prodigal Son): 12:10–End

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a solemn, meditative, and scripturally focused tone, serving both as a daily reading and an invitation into deeper spiritual reflection. The language is faithful to the ESV Bible, giving listeners a vivid, dramatized experience of the biblical narrative.

Conclusion

This episode draws listeners into powerful biblical themes: the seriousness of uncleanness and exclusion under the law, the depth of personal repentance, and the all-surpassing joy of redemption and restoration. Through its careful readings and evocative presentation, the podcast reinforces the gospel message of hope, grace, and God’s eagerness to welcome the repentant home.