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

Episode: January 6 (Genesis 11–12; Psalm 6; Matthew 8)
Host: Crossway
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, listeners journey through Genesis 11–12, Psalm 6, and Matthew 8, following the podcast’s structure of daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms. The passages highlight the account of the Tower of Babel and Abram’s call, David's lament in the Psalms, and several miracles and teachings of Jesus in Matthew 8. The readings collectively explore themes of human ambition versus God’s sovereignty, faith and obedience, suffering and supplication, and the astonishing authority of Jesus.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genesis 11–12: The Tower of Babel and Abram’s Call

(00:01–14:29)

• Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9)

  • Humanity, united in language and purpose, attempts to build a city and a tower "with its top in the heavens" to make a name for themselves.
  • God observes their unity and ambition, saying, "Nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them." (01:50)
  • To limit human pride and autonomy, God confuses their language, dispersing them across the earth. The city is named Babel, referencing the confusion of language.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Quote: "Come, let us go down and there and confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech." (02:14)

• Genealogy from Shem to Abram (Genesis 11:10–32)

  • The reading traces ten generations from Shem to Abram, emphasizing continuity in God’s story and setting up the forthcoming covenant.
  • Terah, Abram’s father, moves the family from Ur to Haran, where he dies.

• God's Call and Promise to Abram (Genesis 12:1–9)

  • God commands Abram: "Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you." (07:49)
  • Promises unfold: to make Abram a great nation, to bless him, and to bless all the families of the earth through him.
  • Abram obeys, journeying with Sarai and Lot to Canaan, where he builds altars to the Lord as acts of faith and worship.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Promise: "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (08:03)

• Abram in Egypt (Genesis 12:10–20)

  • Faced with famine, Abram sojourns in Egypt, fearing for his safety due to Sarai’s beauty. He claims Sarai is his sister.
  • The deception brings trouble upon Pharaoh, who confronts Abram and sends him away with Sarai and their possessions.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Pharaoh confronts Abram: "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?" (13:43)

2. Psalm 6: David’s Lament and Plea for Mercy

(14:30–16:05)

• David pleads for God’s mercy, overwhelmed by suffering in body and soul.
• He calls on God not to rebuke him in anger, expressing vulnerability and depth of trouble: "I am weary with my moaning. Every night I flood my bed with tears." (15:14)
• Despite anguish, David reaffirms God’s attentiveness: "The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer." (15:57)
• The psalm ends with a confident hope that his enemies will be turned back in shame.

3. Matthew 8: Jesus’ Authority Over Sickness, Nature, and Demons

(16:06–29:45)

• Cleansing the Leper (16:08–16:40)

  • A leper appeals to Jesus: "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." Jesus responds, "I will; be clean," and the leper is healed.

• Healing the Centurion’s Servant (16:41–18:52)

  • A Roman centurion, displaying remarkable humility and faith, says, "I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed." (17:21)
  • Jesus marvels at his faith, declaring it greater than any found in Israel, and the servant is healed at once.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • Jesus to the crowd: "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith." (17:58)

• Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law and Others (18:53–19:35)

  • Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law and then many others, fulfilling prophecy: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases." (19:33)

• Following Jesus (19:36–20:16)

  • Jesus challenges a would-be follower: "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
  • To another, Jesus commands: "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." (20:13)

• Calming the Storm (20:17–21:22)

  • Jesus sleeps during a fierce storm as his disciples panic: "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." He rebukes them for little faith, then calms the storm.
  • The disciples marvel: "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" (21:17)

• Healing the Demon-Possessed in Gadara (21:23–29:45)

  • Two demon-possessed men confront Jesus, recognizing his divine authority. He casts the demons into a herd of pigs, which then drown, causing the townspeople to ask Jesus to leave.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Demons plead: "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (21:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• God’s judgment at Babel:
  • “Come, let us go down and there and confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” (Genesis, 02:14)
• Promise to Abram:
  • “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis, 08:03)
• David’s honest plea:
  • “I am weary with my moaning. Every night I flood my bed with tears." (Psalm, 15:14)
• Faith of the Centurion:
  • “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew, 17:21)
  • Jesus: “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” (Matthew, 17:58)
• Disciples startled at Jesus’ authority:
  • “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew, 21:17)
• Demons recognize Jesus:
  • “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew, 21:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tower of Babel: 00:01–03:00
• Abram’s Call and Promise: 07:49–08:10
• Abram in Egypt: 12:29–14:29
• Psalm 6 (David’s Lament): 14:30–16:05
• Cleansing of the Leper: 16:08–16:40
• Centurion’s Servant: 16:41–18:52
• Discipleship Costs: 19:36–20:16
• Calming the Storm: 20:17–21:22
• Demoniacs and Pigs: 21:23–29:45

Episode Tone and Delivery

The episode maintains a steady, reverential tone, favoring a faithful, measured reading of Scripture. The readings are delivered clearly and solemnly, allowing the passages to speak for themselves and inviting listeners into a posture of attentiveness and reflection.

Final Thoughts

This episode traces the tension between human ambition and divine intention (Babel), explores the origins of God’s covenant people (Abram), voices the raw urgency of a believer’s distress (Psalm 6), and reveals Jesus’ authority over all forms of chaos, disease, and evil (Matthew 8). The faith of biblical figures—whether David in lament or the centurion in trust—stands as an enduring challenge and encouragement for all listeners following the Scripture’s unfolding story.