Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: November 6, 2025
Readings: Jeremiah 37–38, Psalm 117, 1 Corinthians 11

Episode Overview

This episode continues the daily journey through the ESV Bible with author Jackie Hill Perry (reading is done by alternating “Reader” and “Respondent” voices). The passages for November 6 cover the political turmoil, prophetic courage, and faithfulness of God as told in Jeremiah 37–38 and Psalm 117, and guidance for the early church regarding order, worship, and communion in 1 Corinthians 11.

The episode’s central theme is remaining faithful to God’s word in the face of adversity and misunderstanding, as seen in the life of the Prophet Jeremiah, the call to worship in Psalm 117, and the Apostle Paul’s practical and theological instructions to the Corinthian church.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jeremiah 37–38: Faithfulness Amid Political Turmoil

Timestamp: 00:01–07:09

• Rebellion and Unheeded Warnings:
  The narrative opens with King Zedekiah—appointed by Babylon—failing, along with his court and people, to heed Jeremiah’s repeated warnings from God (00:01).

• Prophet Under Persecution:

  • Jeremiah is accused of desertion, imprisoned, and then beaten for his message (approx. 02:00–03:30).
  • Zedekiah seeks Jeremiah’s counsel secretly, displaying both fear and an unwillingness to act on God’s word (03:30–04:30).

• Courageous Prophetic Witness:

  • Jeremiah warns of the city’s impending fall and urges surrender to Babylon for survival, risking his life in speaking truth (04:40–07:00).

• Act of Compassion:

  • Ebed Melek the Ethiopian intervenes, advocating for Jeremiah and orchestrating his rescue from the cistern, exemplifying courage and justice (05:20–06:10).

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Thus says the Lord...Do not deceive yourselves, saying, ‘The Chaldeans will surely go away from us,’ for they will not go away.” (Reader, 00:49)
  • “If I tell you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.” (Jeremiah to Zedekiah, 05:14)

2. Psalm 117: A Universal Call to Worship

Timestamp: 07:17–07:29

• Brief, Joyful Exhortation:
  • The shortest psalm in the Bible urges all nations and peoples to praise the Lord for His steadfast love and enduring faithfulness.
  • Quote:
    “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” (Respondent, 07:22)

3. 1 Corinthians 11: Instructions for Worship and Communion

Timestamp: 07:33–09:48

• Imitation and Order in Worship:

  • Paul commends the church for holding to traditions and then addresses the roles of men and women and symbols of authority in public worship (07:33–08:54).
  • He asserts spiritual equality, stating that men and women are mutually dependent in the Lord (08:34).

• Addressing Division and Disrespect:

  • Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their divisions and disregard during communal meals, especially the Lord’s Supper (08:54–09:50).
  • He calls for self-examination before participating in communion, warning against eating and drinking “in an unworthy manner.”

• The Institution of the Lord’s Supper:

  • Paul’s recounting of Jesus’ words institutes the practice as an ongoing remembrance and proclamation of Christ’s death (09:48–end).

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” (Respondent, 07:34)
  • “But in the following instructions, I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.” (Respondent, 08:55)
  • “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (Respondent, 09:54)
  • “Let a person examine himself then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (Respondent, 10:12)

Memorable Moments and Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:49 | Reader | “Do not deceive yourselves, saying, ‘The Chaldeans will surely go away from us’...” | | 05:14 | Jeremiah | “If I tell you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.” | | 07:22 | Respondent| “For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.”| | 07:34 | Paul | “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” | | 08:55 | Paul | “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.” | | 09:54 | Paul | “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”|

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Jeremiah 37–38: 00:01–07:09
• Psalm 117: 07:17–07:29
• 1 Corinthians 11: 07:33–end

Takeaways

• Jeremiah’s faithfulness amid persecution models steadfast obedience, even when that means confronting authority or facing suffering.
• Psalm 117 highlights God’s unwavering love and the universal scope of His call to worship.
• 1 Corinthians 11 urges both reverent worship and relational unity, reminding believers to approach God’s table with humility, discernment, and care for others.

This episode, rich in narrative and instruction, encourages listeners to reflect not only on personal faithfulness but also on unity and humility in Christian worship.