Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: January 16, 2026 – Genesis 30; Psalm 16; Matthew 19
Host: Crossway

Overview

This episode continues the daily journey through the Bible, providing readings from Genesis 30, Psalm 16, and Matthew 19. The core themes are family dynamics, longing, and fulfillment in Genesis; trust and security in God in the Psalms; and Jesus' teachings on marriage, wealth, and discipleship in Matthew. The selections invite listeners to contemplate God’s providence, the challenges and joys of faithfulness, and the radical calls of Jesus.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Genesis 30: Family Rivalry, Longing, and God's Provision

Timestamps: 00:01–05:09

• Rachel and Leah's Rivalry and Yearning for Children
  • Rachel's anguish and envy: “Give me children, or I shall die.” (00:15)
  • Jacob’s response: “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” (00:20)
  • Introduction of Bilhah and Zilpah as surrogate mothers, resulting in more sons for Jacob: Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
• Exchange over Mandrakes
  • The bargaining between Rachel and Leah over mandrakes, believed to promote fertility (00:54). Leah acquires a night with Jacob in exchange for the mandrakes and bears Issachar and Zebulun.
• God Remembers Rachel
  • Rachel finally bears Joseph: “God has taken away my reproach. May the Lord add to me another son.” (04:07)
• Jacob & Laban’s Negotiation Over Wages
  • Jacob seeks independence: “When shall I provide for my own household also?” (04:24)
  • Laban and Jacob strike an agreement about speckled and spotted livestock; Jacob gains wealth through clever breeding tactics.
• Growth in Wealth and Household
  • Jacob prospers: “Thus the man increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants and camels and donkeys.” (05:09)

2. Psalm 16: Security and Joy in God

Timestamps: 05:10–06:07

• Trust and Refuge
  • David’s plea: “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” (05:12)
• Exclusive Devotion
  • Rejection of idolatry: “The sorrows of those who run after another God shall multiply… I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.” (05:20)
• Gratitude for God’s Provision
  • “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” (05:26)
  • “Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” (05:32)
• Confidence in the Lord’s Presence
  • “I have set the Lord always before me… I shall not be shaken.” (05:34)
  • Assurance of life after death: “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your Holy One see corruption.” (05:44)
  • “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (06:06)

3. Matthew 19: Teachings of Jesus on Marriage, Children, and the Kingdom

Timestamps: 06:08–End

• Divorce and Fidelity
  • Pharisees test Jesus on divorce (06:15). Jesus cites creation: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh… What God has joined together, let not man separate.” (06:22)
  • “Because of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” (06:33)
  • Exception for sexual immorality: “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (06:38)
• On Singleness for the Kingdom
  • Jesus discusses eunuchs and the value of voluntary celibacy for God’s sake: “Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” (07:17)
• Jesus Welcomes Little Children
  • Disciples rebuke, but Jesus corrects: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (07:32)
• The Rich Young Man
  • Inquiry about eternal life: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (07:43)
  • Jesus recites commandments, then deepens the call: “If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor... and come, follow me.” (08:14)
  • The young man's sorrow over his wealth (08:19)
• Radical Challenge of Discipleship
  • “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (08:25)
  • “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (08:33)
  • Peter’s question about reward: “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” (08:38)
  • Jesus promises: “Everyone who has left houses… for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (08:50)

Notable Quotes

• Rachel’s Desperation:
  “Give me children, or I shall die.” – Rachel (Genesis 30, 00:15)

• Jacob’s Response:
  “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” – Jacob (Genesis 30, 00:20)

• David’s Security in God:
  “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” – David (Psalm 16, 05:14)

• Jesus on Marriage:
  “What God has joined together, let not man separate.” – Jesus (Matthew 19, 06:27)

• Jesus on Wealth and Salvation:
  “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Jesus (Matthew 19, 08:33)

• Jesus on Sacrifice and Reward:
  “Everyone who has left houses… for my name's sake will receive a hundredfold.” – Jesus (Matthew 19, 08:50)

Memorable Moments

• The use of mandrakes highlights the deep longing and rivalry between Rachel and Leah (00:54–01:10).
• The cunning of Jacob in breeding livestock is a pivotal moment of personal growth and separation from Laban (04:40–05:09).
• Jesus’ loving welcome of children, in contrast to the disciples’ gatekeeping, beautifully demonstrates the upside-down values of the kingdom (07:32–07:41).
• The sorrow of the rich young man reveals the difficulty of radical discipleship (08:19).

Timestamps For Important Segments

• Genesis 30 (Family drama and blessing): 00:01–05:09
• Psalm 16 (Trust and security in God): 05:10–06:07
• Matthew 19 (Teachings on marriage, wealth, children, discipleship): 06:08–end

This episode invites deep reflection on longing, faithfulness, and Jesus’ challenging but hopeful teachings on living for God’s kingdom.