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

Episode: November 19 (Ezekiel 7–9; Psalm 119:89–96; Ephesians 1) – November 19, 2025

Overview

This daily episode continues the journey through the ESV Bible, featuring readings from Ezekiel 7-9, Psalm 119:89-96, and Ephesians 1. The selected passages focus on themes of divine judgment for sin and idolatry (Ezekiel), the unwavering nature of God’s Word (Psalms), and the spiritual blessings and inheritance believers receive through Christ (Ephesians).

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ezekiel 7–9: The Judgement on Israel

• Theme: God declares the imminent end and judgment upon Israel due to their abominations and idolatry.

• Key Points:

  • The finality and seriousness of the coming wrath (“An end. The end has come upon the four corners of the land. Now the end is upon you, and I will send my anger upon you.” – Ezekiel 7:2-3, 00:15).
  • Material wealth is worthless in the face of divine judgment—silver and gold cannot save.
  • Ezekiel is given visions of the elders’ idolatry in the temple:
    • Secret sins and abominations committed by Israel's leaders (e.g., worship of false images, weeping for Tammuz, sun worship).
  • The glory of God departs from the temple, signifying severe judgment and estrangement.
  • God commands a mark to be set on those who “sigh and groan over all the abominations,” sparing them from judgment (Ezekiel 9:4, 13:10).

• Notable Quotes & Moments:

  • On the futility of materialism:

    "They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord." (Ezekiel 7:19, 03:10)

  • On the exposure of secret sin:

    "Have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, 'The Lord does not see us. The Lord has forsaken the land.'" (Ezekiel 8:12, 08:40)

  • On mercy amidst judgment:

    "Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it." (Ezekiel 9:4, 13:10)

2. Psalm 119:89–96: God’s Word and Faithfulness

• Theme: The eternal, unshakeable nature of God’s Word and faithfulness through affliction.

• Key Points:

  • God’s word is “firmly fixed in the heavens”—unchanging and reliable.
  • God’s faithfulness extends across all generations.
  • Personal testimony: delight in God’s law as a source of life and preservation in hardship.
  • The recognition that all created perfection is limited, but God's commandment is boundless.

• Notable Quotes & Moments:

  • The endurance of God’s Word:

    "Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens." (Psalm 119:89, 18:10)

  • On clinging to God’s precepts:

    "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." (Psalm 119:92, 18:32)

  • Limitlessness of God’s ways:

    "I have seen the limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad." (Psalm 119:96, 19:10)

3. Ephesians 1: Spiritual Blessings in Christ

• Theme: The riches of God’s grace, predestination, spiritual inheritance, and unity under Christ.

• Key Points:

  • Believers are “blessed with every spiritual blessing... in Christ.”
  • God chose and predestined believers for adoption before the foundation of the world.
  • Redemption and forgiveness are accomplished through Christ’s sacrifice—lavishing grace.
  • The mystery of God’s will revealed and fulfilled in Christ: to “unite all things in him.”
  • Believers are “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” a guarantee of their inheritance.
  • Paul’s prayer for believers: enlightenment, understanding the hope, the riches of the inheritance, the greatness of God’s power toward believers.
  • Christ's exaltation over all authorities, and the church as his body.

• Notable Quotes & Moments:

  • On spiritual blessings:

    "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places..." (Ephesians 1:3, 20:15)

  • On predestination and grace:

    "He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace..." (Ephesians 1:5-6, 20:50)

  • On the guarantee of inheritance:

    "You also, when you heard the word of truth... were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance..." (Ephesians 1:13-14, 22:10)

  • Paul’s prayer for enlightenment:

    "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you..." (Ephesians 1:18, 23:10)

  • Christ exalted:

    "He put all things under his feet, and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23, 24:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ezekiel 7–9 (Judgment and visions): 00:00–16:50
• Psalm 119:89–96 (God’s enduring Word): 16:51–19:15
• Ephesians 1 (Spiritual blessings): 19:16–25:10

Tone and Language

The readings retain the solemn, prophetic language of the scriptures. These passages move from the dire warnings and laments of Israel’s sin and judgment in Ezekiel, to the meditative and hopeful praise of God’s faithfulness in Psalms, and conclude with the exuberant, doctrinally rich writing of Paul about God’s grace and the glory of Christ.

Takeaway

This episode presents a powerful juxtaposition: the warnings of judgment for persistent rebellion (Ezekiel), the steadfastness of God’s truth and comfort for those who cling to it (Psalms), and the assurance of unearned grace, adoption, and spiritual riches for the faithful in Christ (Ephesians). It is both a sobering and uplifting listening experience, rooted deeply in the language and message of the biblical texts.