Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: November 22 (Ezekiel 14–15; Psalm 119:113–120; Ephesians 5–6)
Host: Crossway
Date: November 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues the year-long journey through the Bible, focusing on passages from Ezekiel 14–15, Psalm 119:113–120, and Ephesians 5–6. The readings explore themes of idolatry, judgment, perseverance, Christian living, and spiritual warfare. The tone is reverent, direct, and meditative, simply presenting Scripture for reflection and devotion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ezekiel 14–15: Idolatry, Judgment, and the Vine Parable

• Idolatry of the Heart

  • God addresses the elders of Israel through Ezekiel, exposing their internal idolatry:

    “These men have taken their idols into their hearts and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces.” (00:12)

  • God rejects superficial repentance and insists on genuine turning away from idols.

• God’s Just Punishment and the Power of Righteousness

  • Even the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, or Job could not save others in the face of communal guilt—only themselves:

    “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.” (02:22)

  • The message stresses individual responsibility and the sufficiency (and limits) of personal righteousness when a nation is under judgment.

• Parable of the Vine (Ezekiel 15)

  • The people of Jerusalem are likened to a vine—worthless except as fuel for the fire:

    “Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” (04:58)

  • God’s actions are explained as just: nothing is done “without cause.”

    “You shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, declares the Lord God.” (04:32)

2. Psalm 119:113–120: Wholehearted Devotion and Fear of God

• Commitment to God’s Word

  • The psalmist expresses a strong love for God’s law and a hatred of double-mindedness:

    “I hate the double minded, but I love your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (06:02)

  • There is a plea for God’s sustaining power and a renunciation of evildoers.

• Holiness and Awe

  • The psalmist fears God’s judgments and finds motivation for holiness and continual dedication to God’s statutes:

    “My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.” (06:42)

3. Ephesians 5–6: Christian Living and the Armor of God

A. Walking in the Light (Ephesians 5:1–20)

• Imitating God and Christ

  • Believers are urged to imitate God and walk in self-sacrificial love:

    “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” (07:14)

  • The importance of purity, gratitude, and avoiding “empty words” is highlighted (07:56).
  • Former darkness, now light: living as “children of light” and exposing the works of darkness.

• Spiritual Vigilance

  • A call to intentionality and wisdom:

    “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (09:08)

  • Encouragement to be filled with the Spirit, engage in worship, and cultivate thankfulness.

B. Christian Relationships (Ephesians 5:21–6:9)

• Mutual Submission and Marital Relationships

  • Believers are to submit “to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (10:10)
  • Specific instructions to wives and husbands, comparing the marital relationship to Christ and the Church:

    “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her.” (11:02)

  • Emphasis on sacrificial love and respect within the family unit.

• Family and Work Relationships

  • Calls children to obey and honor their parents, promising blessings (12:25).
  • Fathers are told not to provoke their children but guide them in the Lord.
  • Guidance for bondservants and masters—work as serving Christ, with equity and respect (13:05).

C. The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–20)

• Spiritual Warfare

  • Clarion call to spiritual readiness:

    “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (13:41)

  • Outlines the “belt of truth,” “breastplate of righteousness,” “shield of faith,” and the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (15:00)
  • Highlights that the real struggle is “not … against flesh and blood, but … against the rulers … against the spiritual forces of evil.”

• Persistent Prayer and Bold Proclamation

  • Believers are urged to “keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” (15:18)
  • Paul requests prayer, for boldness to proclaim the gospel “as I ought to speak.” (15:47)

• Final Blessings

  • The episode closes with encouragement and a benediction:

    “Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith…” (16:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Idolatry:

  “Repent, and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” (01:21)

• On God's Judgment:

  “They shall bear their punishment. The punishment of the prophet and the punishment of the inquirer shall be alike…” (01:52)

• On Christian Living:

  “Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true.” (08:48)

• On Marital Love:

  “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself…” (11:40)

• On Spiritual Battle:

  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness…” (13:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Ezekiel 14–15: Oracles Against Idolatry and Jerusalem, The Vine Parable
• 06:02 – Psalm 119:113–120: Love for God’s Word and Fear of His Judgments
• 07:14 – Ephesians 5: Imitating God, Light vs. Darkness
• 10:10 – Ephesians 5:21–33: Marriage as Christ and the Church
• 12:25 – Ephesians 6:1–9: Instructions to Children, Parents, Bondservants, Masters
• 13:41 – Ephesians 6:10–20: The Armor of God and Spiritual Warfare
• 16:16 – Closing Benediction

Summary

This episode weaves together sobering warnings against idolatry and faithlessness, the psalmist’s plea for integrity and divine protection, and a practical, inspiring blueprint for Christian living and spiritual resilience from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The readings invite deep personal reflection on the seriousness of sin, the sufficiency of God’s word and grace, and the call to live boldly, love sacrificially, and stand ready in the spiritual battles of daily life.