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

Episode: January 15 (Genesis 28–29; Psalm 15; Matthew 18)
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Crossway

Overview

This episode continues the journey through the ESV Bible with selected daily readings from Genesis 28–29, Psalm 15, and Matthew 18. The scriptures explore pivotal moments in the patriarch Jacob's life, the character of those who dwell with God, and Jesus' teachings on humility, forgiveness, and mercy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Genesis 28–29: Jacob's Journey and Family Drama

Timestamps: 00:01–06:46

• Isaac Blesses Jacob and Sends Him To Laban
  • Isaac commands Jacob not to marry a Canaanite, but to seek a wife from Laban's family, blessing him with the promises given to Abraham (00:01–01:10).
    • "God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you... May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring..." (00:08)
• Jacob's Encounter at Bethel
  • Famous vision of a ladder reaching heaven, with angels ascending and descending and God's reaffirmation of the covenant (01:40–02:50).
    • "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it... this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." (02:55)
  • Jacob sets up a stone pillar, makes a vow to serve God, promising a tenth of what he receives (03:15).
• Jacob Meets Rachel and Laban: Love, Labor, and Deception
  • Jacob arrives in Haran, meets Rachel at the well, and is welcomed by Laban (03:34–04:40).
    • "Jacob kissed Rachel and wept aloud... Surely you are my bone and my flesh." (04:18)
  • Agrees to work seven years for Rachel but is deceived into marrying Leah first, then works another seven years for Rachel (05:03–05:40).
    • "What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?" (05:30)
• Leah and Rachel: Children and Heartbreak
  • God responds to Leah being unloved by opening her womb, leading to the birth of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah (06:00–06:46).
    • "This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she called his name Judah." (06:43)

2. Psalm 15: The Character of God's People

Timestamps: 06:47–07:23

• David poses and answers the question: Who may dwell with God?
  • "O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" (06:47)
  • Recites ethical and moral attributes: blamelessness, truth-telling, shunning slander, honoring the upright, keeping oaths, not exploiting others, and a guarantee of spiritual stability (07:05–07:23).
    • "He who does these things shall never be moved." (07:22)

3. Matthew 18: The Kingdom’s Greatest—Humility, Forgiveness, and Mercy

Timestamps: 07:23–11:00

• The Greatest in the Kingdom: Childlike Humility
  • Jesus calls a child to illustrate that greatness in God’s kingdom comes through childlike humility (07:27–07:41).
    • "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (07:30)
• Warning Against Leading Others Into Sin
  • Heavy warning for anyone causing "little ones" to stumble (07:43).
    • "It would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and… be drowned in the depth of the sea." (07:50)
• Radical Dealing with Sin
  • Urges seriousness in avoiding sin, even to the point of metaphorically cutting off hand or foot (08:10).
• The Parable of the Lost Sheep
  • Emphasizes God’s care for every individual—leaving 99 to seek the one who is lost (08:40–08:51).
    • "He rejoices over it more than over the 99 that never went astray." (08:46)
• Instructions for Reconciliation
  • Process for confronting a fellow believer who sins: private confrontation, then bringing witnesses, then to the community (church), and if still unrepentant, treat as outsider (08:51–09:27).
    • "If he listens to you, you have gained your brother... If he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." (09:00)
  • Jesus affirms the authority within the faith community (09:29).
• Where Two or Three Are Gathered
  • Assurance of Jesus’ presence in communal prayer and decisions (09:32–09:34).
    • "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (09:34)
• Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
  • Peter asks about the limits of forgiveness; Jesus instructs to forgive abundantly (09:36–10:00).
    • "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." (09:38)
  • Parable illustrates the necessity of mercy, as a king forgives an enormous debt but the forgiven servant refuses mercy to another (10:03–10:50).
    • "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?" (10:40)
  • Warning that God’s forgiveness is tied to our own willingness to forgive others from the heart (10:58–11:00).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jacob’s Vow: "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it... this is the gate of heaven." (Genesis 28, 02:55)
• Psalm 15’s Promise: "He who does these things shall never be moved." (07:22)
• Jesus on Greatness: "Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (07:30)
• On Forgiveness: "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times." (09:38)
• The Unforgiving Servant: "Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?" (10:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Genesis 28–29 (Jacob’s Story): 00:01–06:46
• Psalm 15 (Dwelling with God): 06:47–07:23
• Matthew 18 (Kingdom Lessons): 07:23–11:00

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a reverent, narrative tone, with direct readings from scripture and minimal commentary—encouraging contemplation and immersion in the biblical text.

For New Listeners

This summary offers the daily biblical readings as heard, focusing on the narrative flow and key spiritual lessons. Anyone seeking to follow the ESV Bible in a year will find this episode covers the growth and trials of the patriarch Jacob, meditations on righteous living from David, and Jesus' demanding yet compassionate doctrine of humility and forgiveness.