Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode Date: November 5, 2025
Readings: Jeremiah 35–36; Psalm 116; 1 Corinthians 10

Overview

This episode of “Through the ESV Bible in a Year" features continuous Scripture readings from Jeremiah 35–36 (OT), Psalm 116, and 1 Corinthians 10 (NT). The focus is on themes of obedience, God’s faithfulness, and the dangers of idolatry—with real examples from Israel’s history, a psalm of deliverance, and Paul’s teaching to the Corinthian church.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah 35: The Obedience of the Rechabites

• Summary: The Lord instructs Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites to the temple and offer them wine, testing their faithfulness to their ancestor’s command to abstain from wine and live simply.
• Insight: The Rechabites refuse the wine (00:44), faithfully following Jonadab’s command. God uses their obedience as a contrast to Judah’s disobedience.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, 'You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons, forever.'" (00:46)
• God’s Message: The Rechabites’ steadfastness serves as a rebuke to the people of Judah, who have ignored God’s persistent warnings.
  • Memorable Quote:
    "I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me." (02:01)

2. Jeremiah 36: Rejection of God’s Word

• Summary: God commands Jeremiah to record His words in hopes that Judah will repent. Jeremiah dictates to Barak, who reads the prophecy aloud in the temple. The news spreads to the officials and finally the king Jehoiakim.
• Insight: The king’s reaction is notable—he callously cuts the prophetic scroll and burns it as it is read.
  • Memorable Moment:
    “The king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire...until the entire scroll was consumed.” (06:29)
• Aftermath: Despite efforts to hide, God preserves Jeremiah and Barak (06:50). God also instructs Jeremiah to rewrite the message, adding further warnings against Jehoiakim.
  • Notable Judgment:
    "[Jehoiakim's] dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night." (07:26)

3. Psalm 116: Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance

• Summary: The Psalmist gives thanks for God’s mercy after being delivered from death and distress.
• Highlights:
  • Expression of Trust:
    “I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.” (08:03)
  • Testimony of God’s Faithfulness:
    “The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.” (08:28)
  • Call to Gratitude:
    “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” (09:03)
• Theme: Worship and gratitude; the preciousness of God’s people.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (09:16)

4. 1 Corinthians 10: Warnings, Lessons, and Christian Liberty

• Summary: Paul warns the Corinthians by reflecting on the failures of Israel—idolatry, immorality, testing God, and grumbling. He urges the church to flee idolatry and embrace life together for God’s glory.
• Key Lessons:
  • History as Warning:
    “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.” (09:39)
  • God’s Faithfulness in Temptation:
    “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape…” (10:12)
  • Unity in Christ:
    “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body...” (10:27)
  • Consequences of Mixed Worship:
    “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” (11:00)
  • Christian Liberty and Responsibility:
    “All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” (11:22)
• Ethics of Eating Food Offered to Idols:
  • Guidance for situations involving food previously sacrificed to idols: exercise freedom, but prioritize the conscience of others and unity in the body.
• Central Principle:
  • “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (11:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Obedience and Contrast:
  “The sons of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me.” (02:20)
• Unflinching Rejection:
  “...the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire... Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid.” (06:29)
• Assurance in Temptation:
  “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful…” (10:12)
• Standard for Christian Living:
  “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” (11:29)
• Aim of All Actions:
  “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (11:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jeremiah 35 – The Rechabites' Obedience: 00:04–03:02
• Jeremiah 36 – The Scroll Burned by the King: 03:04–08:03
• Psalm 116 – Thanksgiving for Deliverance: 08:03–09:27
• 1 Corinthians 10 – Warnings, Temptation, and Liberty: 09:31–End

Summary Notes

• The readings draw attention to faithfulness in following God’s commands (the Rechabites), warning against hard-heartedness and dismissing prophetic truth (King Jehoiakim), expressing gratitude for deliverance (Psalm 116), and upholding holiness and corporate responsibility among Christians (1 Corinthians 10).
• The episode maintains a reverent, reflective tone, with frequent reminders of God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

This episode is rich with both warning and encouragement—inviting listeners to heed God’s word, rely on His faithfulness in temptation, and orient every action toward His glory.