January 20 (Genesis 36; Psalm 19:1–6; Matthew 23)

Summary

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This episode of Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry (January 20) brings three distinct biblical readings: the genealogy and legacy of Esau (Genesis 36), the poetic celebration of God’s glory through creation (Psalm 19:1–6), and Jesus’ stark denunciation of the hypocrisy of religious leaders (Matthew 23). Each segment provides insight into God’s faithfulness across generations, the ever-present testimony of creation, and the central call to sincere, humble faith.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genesis 36: The Generations of Esau

[00:01–04:49]

• Genealogy and Legacy:
  The passage meticulously traces the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom), his spouses, and the development of Edomite leadership.

  • Esau’s wives include Idah (a Hittite), Oholibamah (a Hivite), and Basemath (Ishmael’s daughter) – illustrating intermingling of nations.
  • His immediate children and eventual tribal chiefs set the stage for the formation of the Edomite nation.

• Separation from Jacob:
  “Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock…He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together,” (02:07).

  • This echoes earlier separations in Genesis (e.g., Abraham and Lot), signaling the fulfillment of God’s promises and the population challenges in the land of Canaan.

• Rise of Edomite Chiefs and Kings:
  The narrative lists chiefs and early kings of Edom, highlighting political structures that predate Israel’s own monarchy.

  • Notable is the reference: “These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites…” (03:54).

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2. Psalm 19:1–6: Creation Testifies of God

[04:49–05:22]

• Creation as Continuous Witness:
  “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.” (04:49–04:57)

  • The psalmist poetically affirms that every moment of creation reflects God’s majesty, without the need for human speech.

• Universal Reach:
  “Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” (04:59)

  • The message of God’s glory is accessible everywhere, not restricted by language or location.

• Imagery of the Sun:
  The sun’s daily routine is compared to a “bridegroom leaving his chamber” and a “strong man [who] runs its course with joy.” (05:07)

  • “There is nothing hidden from its heat.” (05:21), suggesting the pervasiveness of God’s presence.

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3. Matthew 23: Jesus Condemns Religious Hypocrisy

[05:22–end]

• Warning Against Hypocrisy:
  Jesus openly criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for failing to practice what they preach:

  • “For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” (05:30)

• Show vs. Substance:
  “They do all their deeds to be seen by others…” (05:36).

  • Jesus denounces religious leaders for seeking honor and recognition instead of genuine service.

• Call to Humility:
  “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (05:49)

• Seven Woes:
  Jesus pronounces a series of woes on the scribes and Pharisees, repeatedly calling them “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” and “whitewashed tombs.”

  • “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” (06:37)
  • “You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” (06:40)
  • “For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones…” (06:55)
  • “You serpents, you brood of vipers! How are you to escape being sentenced to hell?” (07:20)

• Lament Over Jerusalem:
  Jesus expresses profound sorrow over Jerusalem’s history of rejecting prophets:

  • “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (07:47)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “For they preach, but do not practice.” (05:30, Jesus in Matthew 23)
• “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (04:49, Psalm 19:1)
• “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (05:49, Jesus in Matthew 23)
• “You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” (06:40, Jesus in Matthew 23)
• “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets… How often would I have gathered your children… and you were not willing!” (07:47, Jesus in Matthew 23)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Genesis 36 (The Generations of Esau): 00:01–04:49
• Psalm 19:1–6 (Creation Testifies of God): 04:49–05:22
• Matthew 23 (Jesus Denounces Hypocritical Leaders): 05:22–end

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Tone & Style

The episode stays closely aligned to the ESV translation, offering straightforward narrative, lyrical psalmody, and the piercing directness of Christ’s teaching. The solemn recounting of genealogies contrasts with the soaring language of the psalm and the urgent prophetic warning and compassion voiced by Jesus.

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Summary Takeaway

Through this day’s readings, listeners witness God’s faithfulness across generations (even amid complicated family legacies), the unstoppable testimony of the created world, and the uncompromising standard of heartfelt, authentic faith—summed up in Jesus’ warnings and pleas for humility, justice, and true devotion.

Transcript

[A]

A reading from the Book of Genesis. These are the generations of Esau, that is Edom. Esau took his wives from the Canaanites. Idah, the daughter of Elon, the Hittite, Olibama, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, the sister of Nebaoth. And Ida bore to Esau Eliphaz. Basemath bore Rule and and Aholobam aboard Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan. Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his householdhis livestock, all his beasts and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. Esau is Edom. These are the generations of Esau, the father of the Edomites and the hill country of Seir. These are the names of Esau's Eliphaz, the son of Idah, the wife of Esau. Reuel, the son of Basemath, the wife of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gadim, and Kenaz. Timnah was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son. She bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These are the sons of Idah, Esau's wife. These are the sons of rule, Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. These are the sons of Baholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife. She bore to Esau, Jehush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau, the sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau, the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gadim, and Amalek. These are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Idah. These are the sons of rule, Esau's sons, the chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These are the chiefs of rule in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife. These are the sons of Aholibama, Esau's wife. The chiefs Jeush Jalam and Korah. These are the chiefs born of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife. These are the sons of Esau, that is Edom, and these are their chiefs. These are the sons of Seir, the Horite, the inhabitants of the land. Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishan, Ezer and Dishan. These are the chiefs of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam, and Lotan's sister was Timnah. These are the sons of Shobal, Alvin, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam. These are the sons of Zibeon, Ayah and Anah. He is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he pastured the donkeys of Zibeon, his father. These are the children of Anah, Dishon and Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah. These are the sons of Dishon, Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Kiran. These are the sons of Bilhan, Zeavan, and Achan. These are the sons of Dishon, Uz and Aaron. These are the chiefs of the Horites, the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishan, Ezer and Dishan. These are the chiefs of the Horites, chief by chief in the land of Seir. These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites. Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah. Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith. Hadad died, and Samla of Masrika reigned in his place. Samla died and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place. Shaul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. Baalhanun the son of Achbor died and Hadar reigned in his place, the name of his city being Paul. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahath. These are the names of the chiefs of Esau according to their clans and their dwelling places. By their names, the chiefs Timnah, Alva, Jephthah, Aholibamah, Elah, Pinan, Kenaz, Teman, Mipsar, Magdale, and Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, that is, Esau, the father of Edom. According to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. A reading from the Book of Psalms to the choirmaster. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God.

[B]

And the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

[A]

There is no speech, nor are there.

[B]

Words whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth in their words to the end of the world.

[A]

In them he has set a tent.

[B]

For the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber. And like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens and its circuit to the end of them. And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

[A]

A reading of the Gospel according to Matthew.

[B]

Then Jesus said to the crowd and to his disciples, the scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat. So do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear and lay them on people's shoulders. But they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. And they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the market places, and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers, and call no man your Father on earth. For you have one Father who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, who for you have one instructor, the Christ, the greatest among you, shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte. And when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides who say, if anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing. But if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath, you blind fools. For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, if anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing. But if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath, you blind men. For which is greater, the gift or the altar? That makes the gift sacred. So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it, and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done without neglecting the others you blind guides straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self indulgence. You blind Pharisee. First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you are like whitewashed tombs which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, if we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets. Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers, you serpents. You brood of vipers. How are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel the to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones, those who are sent to it. How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing? See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.