Episode Overview

Podcast: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry
Host: Crossway
Episode Date: November 12, 2025
Scripture Readings:

• Jeremiah 50 (Old Testament)
• Psalm 119:33–40 (Psalms)
• 2 Corinthians 5–6 (New Testament)

This episode features daily readings from the ESV Bible, guiding listeners through significant Old and New Testament passages as well as a Psalm. The selected texts explore themes of God’s judgment and mercy, a longing for transformation and faithfulness, and the new reality for believers in Christ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jeremiah 50 – The Fall and Judgment of Babylon

• [00:01] The Lord’s word against Babylon, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. God declares Babylon will be conquered (“Babylon is taken. Bel is put to shame. Merodach is dismayed...”).
• Babylon, long Israel’s oppressor, will become desolate due to God’s wrath, its idols shamed and its people scattered.
• Promises of restoration: Israel and Judah will seek the Lord, united in a new everlasting covenant, their iniquity pardoned and land restored.
• “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray... They have forgotten their fold.” (A, 01:37)
• God’s justice will visit Babylon as it once did Assyria, underscoring divine sovereignty: “Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. I will restore Israel to his pasture...” (A, 05:16)
• Rich, poetic imagery and declarations of vengeance (“The proud one shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up.” A, 10:36)—God’s power and opposition to human pride and idolatry.
• Universal recognition of Babylon’s fall: “At the sound of the capture of Babylon the earth shall tremble, and her cry shall be heard among the nations.” (A, 19:02)

2. Psalm 119:33–40 – Prayer for Guidance and Devotion

• [07:00] The psalmist’s heartfelt prayer for understanding, steadfastness, and guidance:
  • Requests to internalize and stay faithful to God’s statutes (“Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will keep it to the end.” A, 07:00)
  • Desire for a wholehearted, joyful obedience: “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain.” (B, 07:05)
  • Seeking transformation (“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways.” B, 07:06) and affirming God’s promises.
  • The passage closes with longing for righteousness and a life shaped by God: “Behold, I long for your precepts. In your righteousness give me life.” (B, 07:18)

3. 2 Corinthians 5–6 – The New Creation and Ministry of Reconciliation

• [07:27] Paul’s message about hope beyond earthly life: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God... eternal in the heavens.” (B, 07:27)
• Christian life framed by longing for heavenly transformation (“...not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” B, 08:08)
• Emphasis on walking by faith, not by sight (“...we walk by faith, not by sight.” B, 08:46), and making it our purpose to please God regardless of circumstances.
• The necessity of appearing before Christ’s judgment seat (“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due...” B, 09:15)
• Motivation for ministry: the love of Christ compels us (“For the love of Christ controls us...” B, 10:18), and the radical redefinition of identity in Christ:
  • “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (B, 11:10)
• God’s act of reconciliation:
  • “...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them...” (B, 11:36)
  • “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (B, 12:22)
• Urgency in receiving God’s grace:
  • “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (B, 12:41)
• Testimony of resilience in ministry (endurance in hardship, yet genuine love and truth) and call for open hearts and authentic Christian living.
• Warning against being “unequally yoked” with unbelievers (B, 14:27) and a reminder that believers are God’s temple, called to holy separation and intimacy with God:
  • “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (B, 15:04)
  • “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (B, 15:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Judgment and Hope (Jeremiah):

  • “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray...” (A, 01:37)
  • “Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of Assyria. I will restore Israel to his pasture...” (A, 05:16)

• On Longing for Guidance (Psalms):

  • “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will keep it to the end.” (A, 07:00)
  • “Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain.” (B, 07:05)

• On New Creation and Reconciliation (2 Corinthians):

  • “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (B, 08:46)
  • “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (B, 11:10)
  • “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (B, 12:22)
  • “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (B, 12:41)
  • “I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (B, 15:26)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------|-----------| | Jeremiah 50 Reading | 00:01 | | Psalm 119:33–40 Reading | 07:00 | | 2 Corinthians 5–6 Reading | 07:27 |

Tone & Style

• The episode maintains a solemn and reverential tone, allowing Scripture to speak for itself with minimal narration or commentary.
• The language is direct, often poetic or prophetic, with both warning and hope.
• The readings invite both reflection on the gravity of God's justice and the profound gift of reconciliation and new life in Christ.

Summary for Listeners

This episode powerfully weaves together the themes of divine judgment, mercy, longing for transformation, and the newness of life found in Christ. Listeners are reminded of God’s sovereignty over nations (Jeremiah), the desire for a heart aligned with God (Psalms), and the profound transformation and ministry believers share as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians). The urgency of reconciliation and the hope of belonging to God’s family are driven home, calling each listener to reflect, respond, and rest in God’s promises.