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

Episode Date: January 12, 2026
Readings: Genesis 24, Psalm 12, Matthew 14

Overview

In this episode, listeners journey through three significant passages:

• Genesis 24: Abraham's servant seeks a wife for Isaac, resulting in the providential selection of Rebekah.
• Psalm 12: A lament for the loss of the faithful and a cry for God's pure intervention.
• Matthew 14: The fate of John the Baptist, the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, and Jesus walking on water.

The episode interweaves foundational biblical stories of faith, trust in God's guidance, and Christ's compassion and authority.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Genesis 24: A Providential Match for Isaac

• Abraham’s Charge:
  Abraham, advanced in age, instructs his chief servant not to take a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites but from his own kin. He makes the servant swear to this (00:05–01:01).

  “See to it that you do not take my son back there. The Lord, the God of Heaven... will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.” (00:38–00:48, Abraham)

• The Servant's Prayer:
  At the well, the servant prays for a sign: that the chosen woman will offer water to him and his camels. Rebekah arrives and fulfills this exactly, demonstrating humility and kindness.

  “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham… Let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac.” (01:25–01:46, Servant)

• Family Confirmation and Commitment:
  Rebekah and her family affirm the servant's proposal, acknowledging divine direction:

  “The thing has come from the Lord. We cannot speak to you, bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go…” (06:38–06:44, Laban & Bethuel)

• Isaac and Rebekah's Meeting:
  The chapter ends with Isaac welcoming Rebekah, finding comfort after his mother Sarah's death:

  “Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” (08:07–08:18, Narrator)

Psalm 12: Lament and Assurance

• Lamentation:
  David mourns the scarcity of the faithful and the prevalence of deceit and pride:

  “Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor…” (08:18–08:37, Psalmist)

• Divine Promise:
  God responds to the plight of the needy:

  “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” (08:47–08:53, God’s response)

• The Reliability of God’s Word:

  “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” (08:54–08:59, Psalmist)

Matthew 14: John’s Martyrdom, Feeding the Five Thousand, and Jesus Walks on Water

• The Fate of John the Baptist:
  Herod, pressured by Herodias and her daughter, orders John’s execution despite his reluctance:

  “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter… The king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded it to be given.” (09:31–09:40, Narrative)

• Jesus’ Compassion and the Miracle of Feeding the Multitude:
  In response to John’s death, Jesus seeks solitude, but is met by needy crowds. He heals and then feeds over five thousand people:

  “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (10:37, Jesus)
  “All ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.” (11:15, Narrator)

• Jesus Walks on Water:
  The disciples witness Jesus walking toward them amid a storm. Peter briefly joins him but begins to sink when afraid:

  “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (11:43, Jesus)
  “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”... “Come.” (11:48–11:59, Peter & Jesus)
  “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (12:08, Jesus)
  “Truly, you are the Son of God.” (12:14, Disciples)

• Healing at Gennesaret:
  Those who touched even the fringe of Jesus’ garment were healed.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Trusting God’s Guidance:
  “Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out...” (05:24, Servant)

• On God’s Faithfulness:
  “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master.” (02:46, Servant)

• On Divine Intervention for the Oppressed:
  “I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” (08:51, God’s words in the Psalm)

• On Fear and Faith:
  “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (11:43, Jesus)
  “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (12:08, Jesus)
  “Truly, you are the Son of God.” (12:14, Disciples)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Genesis 24 (Choosing Rebekah): 00:05–08:18
• Psalm 12 (Prayer for the Faithful): 08:18–09:06
• Matthew 14 (John’s Death, Feeding Five Thousand, Jesus Walks on Water): 09:06–12:30

Conclusion

This episode brings together stories of divine provision, faithfulness, and miraculous power, encouraging listeners to trust in God's guidance, the purity of His word, and the authority and compassion of Jesus, especially amid life’s uncertainties.