Episode Overview

Podcast: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry
Host: Crossway
Episode Air Date: November 24, 2025
Scriptures Covered: Ezekiel 17–18, Psalm 119:129–136, Philippians 3–4

This episode features daily readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, and New Testament, focusing on themes of personal responsibility before God, the transformative power of Christ, living with hope, contentment, and the call to rejoice in all circumstances.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Ezekiel 17–18: Parables of Judgment and Personal Responsibility

[00:00–16:40]

• Eagle Parable & Israel's Rebellion

  • Ezekiel is commanded to tell a parable about a great eagle (representing Babylon) taking a cedar's top (Israel’s king) and planting it (the exiles) in another land.
  • Israel seeks to depend on Egypt instead of remaining faithful to Babylon, breaking their earthly and spiritual covenant.

• God's Sovereignty and Redemption

  • God contrasts Israel's failed leadership with His own promise:

    "I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out...that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar." (Ezek. 17:22-23) [13:30]

  • This hints at restoration and a messianic future, underscoring God's ultimate control.

• Individual Responsibility for Sin and Righteousness

  • God repudiates the proverb:

    "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge." (Ezek. 18:2) [16:41]

  • Each person will be judged for their own actions, not for ancestors’ sins.
  • A righteous person lives:
    • Justly
    • Avoids idolatry and oppression
    • Cares for the needy
  • A wicked person faces death for their own actions.
  • However, repentance is always open:

    "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?... and not rather, that he should turn from his way and live?" (Ezek. 18:23) [24:50]

• God's Justice & Call to Repentance

  • God affirms:

    "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son." (Ezek. 18:20) [22:00]

  • He urges Israel:

    "Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin... For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone... so turn and live." (Ezek. 18:30–32) [31:14]

Psalm 119:129–136: God’s Word as Light

[33:50–35:00]

• The psalmist expresses deep reverence and longing for God’s commandments, describing them as wonderful and imparting understanding to the simple.
• Reliance on God for steadfastness:

  "Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me." (Ps. 119:133)

• Grief over the world’s disregard of God’s law:

  "My eyes shed streams of tears because people do not keep your law." (Ps. 119:136)

Philippians 3–4: The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ

[35:10–52:40]

• Warning Against Legalism

  • Paul cautions:

    "Look out for those who mutilate the flesh... we are the circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God." (Phil. 3:2–3) [35:30]

  • He recounts his own impressive credentials, but counts them as loss:

    "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." (Phil. 3:7) [39:00]

• Christ Above All

  • Paul considers all his previous achievements rubbish compared to "knowing Christ Jesus my Lord," seeking righteousness that comes by faith, not law. (Phil. 3:8–9)

• Pressing On Towards the Goal

  • The Christian life is ongoing pursuit, not complacency:

    "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14) [41:10]

  • Encourages believers to imitate him and fix their mindset on heavenly, not earthly, things.

• Heavenly Citizenship and Hope

  • Comforts:

    "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body." (Phil. 3:20–21) [43:00]

• Instructions for Christian Living

  • Reconciliation and unity in the church:

    "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." (Phil. 4:2) [44:00]

  • Rejoice always, replacing anxiety with prayer:

    "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6–7) [46:01]

  • Dwell on excellence and practice godliness:

    "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure...think about these things." (Phil. 4:8) [47:00]

• Contentment and Strength in Christ

  • Paul reflects on material needs and spiritual sufficiency:

    "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content...I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:11–13) [48:15]

  • Appreciation for the Philippians’ partnership and God’s faithful provision:

    "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19) [51:30]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On God’s Justice:

  "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son." (Ezekiel 18:20) [22:00]

• On Redemption:

  "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?... and not rather, that he should turn from his way and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23) [24:50]

• On Longing for God:

  "The unfolding of your words gives light. It imparts understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130) [34:00]

• On Identity in Christ:

  "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." (Philippians 3:7) [39:00]

• On Pressing Toward the Spiritual Goal:

  "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on..." (Philippians 3:13–14) [41:00]

• On Peace and Prayer:

  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) [46:01]

• On Contentment:

  "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content....I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11–13) [48:15]

Important Timestamps

• [00:00–16:40]: Ezekiel 17: Parable of the eagle and Israel’s rebellion
• [16:40–33:00]: Ezekiel 18: Personal responsibility, repentance, and God’s justice
• [33:50–35:00]: Psalm 119:129–136: The beauty and guiding light of God’s Word
• [35:10–43:00]: Philippians 3: Paul’s spiritual autobiography, loss for Christ’s sake
• [43:01–52:40]: Philippians 4: Instructions for gospel living: joy, prayer, contentment, community support

Episode Takeaways

• God judges each individual by their own actions and welcomes repentance.
• God’s commands give light and draw out heartfelt longing.
• Faith in Christ eclipses any earthly credential or achievement.
• Christians are called to stand firm, to rejoice, and to rely on prayer and God’s peace in all circumstances.
• True contentment comes not from circumstance but from reliance on Christ—"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."