February 24 (Leviticus 12–13; Psalm 51; Luke 15)

Summary

Episode Summary: February 24, 2025 – "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry"

In the February 24th episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry," hosted by Crossway, listeners embark on a profound journey through selected passages of the Bible. This episode delves into Leviticus 12–13, Psalm 51, and Luke 15, exploring themes of purity, repentance, and redemption. Delivered through engaging readings by designated speakers, the episode offers deep insights into these foundational scriptures.

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1. Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 12–13

Speaker: Moses
Timestamp: [00:01]

The episode opens with Moses presenting a detailed reading from Leviticus 12 and 13, which outlines the laws concerning ritual purity following childbirth and the stringent regulations governing skin diseases, commonly referred to as leprosy.

Key Topics:

• Purification After Childbirth:
  Moses explains the differentiation in purification periods based on the gender of the child. For instance, a woman who bears a male child is deemed unclean for seven days, paralleling the period of menstrual impurity, followed by an additional 33 days of purification. Conversely, bearing a female child extends her uncleanliness to two weeks, with 66 days of purification thereafter.

  Notable Quote [00:01]:
  "If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days, as at the time of her menstruation she shall be unclean."

• Regulations on Skin Diseases:
  The reading delves into the meticulous procedures priests must follow to diagnose and declare individuals clean or unclean based on various symptoms of skin conditions. This includes examinations of swellings, eruptions, spots, and burns, emphasizing the community's commitment to holiness and purity.

  Notable Quote [08:15]:
  "When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling or an eruption or a spot, and it turns into a case of leprous disease on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest..."

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2. Psalm 51: A Penitential Prayer by David

Speaker: David
Timestamp: [10:23]

Transitioning to the Psalms, David delivers Psalm 51, a heartfelt confession and plea for mercy following his transgression with Bathsheba. This psalm is a cornerstone of biblical teachings on repentance and the desire for spiritual renewal.

Key Themes:

• Confession and Seeking Mercy:
  David openly acknowledges his sins and implores God for forgiveness, highlighting the depth of his remorse and his dependence on divine mercy.

  Notable Quote [10:23]:
  "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions."

• Desire for Inner Renewal:
  Beyond seeking forgiveness, David yearns for a transformed heart and a renewed spirit, emphasizing that true repentance goes beyond external acts to internal transformation.

  Notable Quote [13:00]:
  "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

• Commitment to Praise:
  David pledges to proclaim God's righteousness and praise, underscoring his commitment to live a life aligned with divine will post-repentance.

  Notable Quote [11:38]:
  "Your righteousness, O Lord. Open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise..."

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3. New Testament Reading: Luke 15

Speaker: Jesus
Timestamp: [12:10]

In the New Testament segment, Jesus presents Luke 15, which includes the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. These stories vividly illustrate God's boundless grace and joy over each sinner who repents and returns.

Parables and Insights:

• Parable of the Lost Sheep:
  Jesus emphasizes the shepherd's dedication to seeking even one lost sheep, highlighting the value of every individual in God's eyes.

  Notable Quote [12:27]:
  "If he has lost one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it."

• Parable of the Lost Coin:
  This story mirrors the search for the lost sheep, portraying the woman's diligent effort to locate her lost coin and the communal celebration upon its recovery.

  Notable Quote [13:01]:
  "And seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost."

• Parable of the Prodigal Son:
  Perhaps the most profound of the trio, this parable showcases the father's unconditional forgiveness and acceptance of his repentant son, illustrating the depth of God's mercy and the importance of forgiveness within the human family.

  Notable Quote [13:13]:
  "It was fitting to celebrate and be glad. For this your brother was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found."

• Joy Over Repentance:
  Jesus underscores that heaven rejoices more over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous individuals who do not need to repent, highlighting the immense value placed on each person's return to righteousness.

  Notable Quote [12:48]:
  "Be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance."

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4. Insights and Conclusions

This episode intricately weaves together Old and New Testament teachings to present a cohesive narrative on human fallibility and divine grace. Leviticus 12–13 establishes the foundational laws of purity and community integrity, emphasizing the importance of holiness. Psalm 51 personalizes the struggle with sin and the yearning for redemption, offering a blueprint for heartfelt repentance. Luke 15 encapsulates the essence of God's unwavering love and the transformative power of forgiveness through its parables.

Jackie Hill Perry, through these readings, invites listeners to reflect on their own lives—encouraging a path of self-examination, genuine repentance, and the pursuit of spiritual cleanliness. The episode serves as a reminder of the relentless pursuit God has for each individual and the joy that accompanies a sincere return to His embrace.

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Takeaway:
The February 24th episode eloquently bridges the ancient laws of Leviticus with the profound teachings of repentance and redemption found in Psalms and the Gospels. It underscores the timeless relevance of biblical principles, encouraging believers to strive for holiness, seek forgiveness, and celebrate the transformative grace that comes from returning to God.

Transcript

[Moses]

A reading from the book of Leviticus. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, speak to the people of Israel, saying, if a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days, as at the time of her menstruation she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall continue for 33 days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purifying are completed. But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation, and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for 66 days. And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, a lamb a year old for a burnt offering and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. And he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and and she shall be clean. The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, when a person has on the skin of his body a swelling or an eruption or a spot, and it turns into a case of leprous disease on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of his sons. The priests and the priest shall examine the diseased area on the skin of his body. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean. But if the spot is white in the skin of his body and appears no deeper than the skin, and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days, and the priest shall examine him on the seventh day. And if in his eyes the disease is checked and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priests shall shut him up for another seven days, and the priests shall examine him again on the seventh day. And if the diseased area has faded and the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priests shall pronounce him clean. It is only an eruption. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. But if the eruption spreads in the skin. After he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall appear again before the priest, and the priest shall look. And if the eruption has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous disease. When a man is afflicted with a leprous disease, he shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall look. And if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white. And there is raw flesh in the swelling, it is a chronic leprous disease in the skin of his body. And the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not shut him up, for he is unclean. And if the leper's disease breaks out in the skin. So that the leper's disease covers all the skin of the diseased person from head to foot so far as the priest can see, then the priest shall look. And if the leprous disease has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean of the disease. It has all turned white, and he is clean. But when raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean. And the priest shall examine the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean. Raw flesh is unclean, for it is a leprous disease. But if the raw flesh recovers and turns white again, then he shall come to the priest, and the priest shall examine him. And if the disease has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce the diseased person clean. He is clean. If there is in the skin of one's body a boil and it heals. And in the place of the boil there comes a white swelling or a reddish white spot, then it shall be shown to the priest, and the priest shall look. And if it appears deeper than the skin and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a case of leprous disease that has broken out in the boil. But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in it. And it is not deeper than the skin but is faded, then then the priests shall shut him up. Seven days. And if it spreads in the skin, then the priests shall pronounce him unclean. It is a disease. But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread, it is the scar of the boil, and the priests shall pronounce him clean. Or when the body Has a burn on its skin. And the raw flesh of the burn becomes a spot reddish white or white. The priests shall examine it. And if the hair in the spot has turned white. And it appears deeper than the skin, Than it is a leprous disease, it has broken out in the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a case of leprous disease. But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot, and it is no deeper than the skin, but has faded, the priest shall shut him up seven days, and the priest shall examine him the seventh day. If it is spreading in the skin, Then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a case of leprous disease. But if the spot remains in one place and does not spread in the skin, but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar of the burn. When a man or woman has a disease on the head or the beard, the priest shall examine the disease. And if it appears deeper than the skin. And the hair in it is yellow and thin, Then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an itch, a leprous disease of the head or the beard. And if the priest examines the itching disease. And it appears no deeper than the skin. And there is no black hair in it, Then the priest shall shut up the person with the itching disease for seven days. And on the seventh day the priest shall examine the disease. If the itch has not spread and there is in it no yellow hair. And the itch appears to be no deeper than the skin, Then he shall shave himself but the itch he shall not shave. And the priest shall shut up the person with the itching disease for another seven days. And on the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch. And if the itch has not spread in the skin. And it appears to be no deeper than the skin, Then the priest shall pronounce him clean. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. But if the itch spreads in the skin after his cleansing, Then the priest shall examine him. And if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest need not seek for the yellow hair. He is unclean. But if in his eyes the itch is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, the itch is healed and he is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. When a man or a woman has spots on the skin of the body, white spots, the priest shall look. And if the spots on the skin of the body are of a dull white, it is leucoderma that has broken out in the skin. He is clean. If a man's hair falls out from his head, he is bald. He is clean. And if a man's hair falls out from his forehead, he has baldness of the forehead. He is clean. But if there is on the bald head or the bald forehead a reddish white diseased area, it is a leprous disease breaking out on his bald head or his bald forehead, then the priest shall examine him. And if the diseased swelling is reddish white on his bald head or on his bald forehead, like the appearance of leprous disease in the skin of the body, he is a leprous man. He is unclean. The priest must pronounce him unclean. His disease is on his head. The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose. And he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, unclean, unclean. He shall remain unclean. As long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp. When there is a case of leper's disease in a garment, whether a woolen or a linen garment, in warp or woof of linen or wool, or in a skin, or in anything made of skin, if the disease is greenish or reddish in the garment or in the skin, or in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, it is a case of leper's disease. And it shall be shown to the priest. And the priest shall examine the disease and shut up that which has the disease for seven days, then he shall examine the disease on the seventh day. If the disease has spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in the skin, whatever be the use of the skin, the disease is a persistent leprous disease. It is unclean. And he shall burn the garment or the warp or the woof, the wool or the linen, or any article made of skin that is diseased, for it is a persistent leprous disease. It shall be burned in the fire. And if the priest examines, and if the disease has not spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, then the priest shall command that they wash the thing in which is the disease, and he shall shut it up for another seven days. And the priest shall examine the diseased thing after it has been washed. And if the appearance of the diseased area has not changed, though the disease has not spread, it is unclean. You shall burn it in the fire, whether the rot is on the back or on the front. But if the priest examines, and if the diseased area has faded after it has been washed, he shall tear it out of the garment or the skin, or the warp, or the wolf. Then if it appears again in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in any article made of skin, it is spreading. You shall burn with fire whatever has the disease but the garment or the warp, or the wool, or any article made of skin from which the disease departs. When you have washed it, shall then be washed a second time and be clean. This is the law for a case of leper's disease. In a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp of the woof or in any article made of skin, to determine whether it is clean or unclean. A reading from the Book of Psalms to the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the Prophet went to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

[David]

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against you you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness. Let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 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. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways.

[Jesus]

And sinners will return to you.

[David]

Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God, of my salvation.

[Moses]

And my tongue will sing aloud of.

[David]

Your righteousness, O Lord. Open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it. You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a Broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise. Do good to Zion and your good pleasure. Build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then will you delight in right sacrifices and burnt offerings, and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will be offered on your altar.

[Moses]

A reading of the Gospel according to Luke.

[Jesus]

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, this man receives sinners and eats with them. So he told them this parable, what.

[Moses]

Man of you, having a hundred sheep.

[Jesus]

If he has lost one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it. And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he. He calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.

[Moses]

Just so, I tell you, there will.

[Jesus]

Be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having 10 silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not.

[David]

Light a lamp and sweep the house.

[Jesus]

And seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.

[Moses]

Just so, I tell you, there is.

[Jesus]

Joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. And he said, there was a man who had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country. And there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate. And no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, how many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread? But I perish here with hunger. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still A long way off. His father saw him and felt compassion and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, father, I have sinned against heaven and before youe. I am no longer worthy to be called you'd son. But the father said to his servants, bring quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet, and bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found. And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound. But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him. But he answered his father, look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him. And he said to him, son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad. For this your brother was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.