November 6 (Jeremiah 37–38; Psalm 117; 1 Corinthians 11)

Summary

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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.

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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)

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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.”|

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Timestamps of Key Segments

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

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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.

Transcript

[Reader]

A reading from the book of Jeremiah. Zedekiah the son of Josiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, made king in the land of Judah, reigned instead of Kenaih the son of Jehoiakim. But neither he, nor his servants nor the people of the land listened to the words of the Lord that he spoke through Jeremiah the prophet. King Zedekiah sent Jehukal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, please pray for us to the Lord our God. Now Jeremiah was still going in and out among the people, for he had not yet been put in prison. The army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt. And when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem. Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet. Thus says the Lord God of Israel. Thus shall you say to the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me. Behold, Pharaoh's army that came to help you is about to return to Egypt to its own land. And the Chaldeans shall come back and fight against this city. They shall capture it and burn it with fire. Thus says the Lord. Do not deceive yourselves, saying, the Chaldeans will surely go away from us, for they will not go away, for even if you should defeat the whole army of Chaldeans who are fighting against you. And there remained of them only wounded men, every man in his tent. They would rise up and burn the city with fire. Now, when the Chaldean army had withdrawn from Jerusalem at the approach of Pharaoh's army, Jeremiah set out from Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin to receive his portion there among the people. When he was at the Benjamin gate, a sentry there named Marijah the son of Shelemiah son of Hananiah, seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, you are deserting to the Chaldeans. And Jeremiah said, it is a lie. I am not deserting to the Chaldeans. But Urijah would not listen to him and seized Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. And the officials were enraged at Jeremiah and they beat him and imprisoned him in the house of Jonathan the secretary, for it had been made a prison. When Jeremiah had come to the dungeon cells and remained there many days, King Zedekiah sent for him and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house and said, is there any word from the Lord? Jeremiah said, there is. Then he said, you shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. Jeremiah also Said to King Zedekiah, what wrong have I done to you or your servants or this people that you have put me in prison? Where are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, the king of Babylon will not come against you and against this land? Now hear, please, O my lord the king. Let my humble plea come before you and do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the secretary, lest I die there. So King Zedekiah gave orders and they committed Jeremiah to the court of the guard. And a loaf of bread was given him daily from the baker's street until all the bread of the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard. Now Shephatiah the son of Madden, Gedaliah the son of Pashur, Jekyl the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah was saying to all the people. Thus says the Lord, he who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. But he who goes out to the Chaldeans shall live. He shall have his life as a prize of war and live. Thus says the Lord. This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and be taken. Then the officials said to the king, let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in the city and the hands of all the people by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm. King Zedekiah said, behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you. So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king's son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud. And Jeremiah sank in the mud when Ebed Melek the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. The king was sitting in the Benjamin gate. Ebed Melek went from the king's house and said to the king, my lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern. And he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city. Then the king commanded, Ebed Melek the Ethiopian, take 30 men with you from here and and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies. So Ebed Melek took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by robes. Then Ebed Melek the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes. Jeremiah did so. Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern and and Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard. King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance of the temple of the Lord. The king said to Jeremiah, I will.

[Respondent]

Ask you a question.

[Reader]

Hide nothing from me. Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, if I tell you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me. Then King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, as the Lord lives, who made our souls, I will not put you to death or deliver you into the hand of these men who seek your life. Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, if you will surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be spared and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. But if you do not surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand. King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans, lest I be handed over to them and they deal cruelly with me. Jeremiah said, you shall not be given to them. Obey now the voice of the Lord in what I say to you, and it shall be well with you, and your life shall be spared. But if you refuse to surrender, this is the vision which the Lord has shown to me. Behold, all the women left in the house of the king of Judah were being led out to the officials of the king of Babylon and were saying, your trusted friends have deceived you and prevailed against you. Now that your feet are sunk in the mud, they turn away from you. All your wives and your sons shall be led out to the Chaldeans, and you yourself shall not escape from their hand, but shall be seized by the king of Babylon and and the city shall be burned with fire. Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, let no one know of these words and you shall not die. If the officials hear that I have spoken with you and come to you and say to you, tell us what you said to the king, and what the king said to you, hide nothing from us and we will not put you to death. Then you shall say to them, I made a humble plea to the king that he would not send me back to the house of Jonathan to die there. Then all the officials came to Jeremiah and asked him, and he answered them as the king had instructed him. So they stopped speaking with him, for the conversation had not been overheard. And Jeremiah remained in the court of.

[Respondent]

The guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken.

[Reader]

A reading from the Book of Psalms.

[Respondent]

Praise the Lord. All nations extol him, all peoples. For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.

[Reader]

A reading from the book of 1 Corinthians.

[Respondent]

Be imitators of me as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ. The head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God. But woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman for man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man, nor man of for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman, and all things are from God. Judge for yourselves. Is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair, it is a disgrace for him? But if a woman has long hair.

[Reader]

It is her glory, for her hair.

[Respondent]

Is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. 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. For in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and I believe it in part. For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What? Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you. That the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread.

[Reader]

And when he had given thanks, he.

[Respondent]

Broke it and said, this is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way also he took the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty. Concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill and some have died. But if we judged ourselves, truly we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home. So that when you come together, it will not be for judgment about the other things. I will give directions. When I come.