Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: October 12, 2025
Readings: Isaiah 42–43, Psalm 95, Acts 19

Overview

This episode of "Through the ESV Bible in a Year" features Jackie Hill Perry as she reads selected passages from the Old Testament (Isaiah 42–43), the Psalms (Psalm 95), and the New Testament (Acts 19). The readings together reflect God’s faithfulness, justice, and power—from Isaiah’s promises of a Servant bringing justice, to Psalm 95’s call to worship and warning against hard-heartedness, to Acts 19’s dramatic account of the gospel’s impact in Ephesus. The episode demonstrates the theme of God as Redeemer and the unstoppable nature of His work among His people.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Isaiah 42–43: God's Servant and Redeemer

• The Servant’s Mission (00:01–02:14)

  • God introduces His chosen servant and the qualities of his ministry: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench. He will faithfully bring forth justice.” (00:13)
  • The servant brings light and liberation to the nations, opens blind eyes, and releases prisoners from darkness.

• Divine Power and Promise (02:14–03:30)

  • God asserts His role as Creator and Sovereign: “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other.” (01:02)
  • God promises to guide and transform the way before His people.

• Redemption and Restoration (03:30–05:44)

  • Assurances to Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (03:40)
  • God’s presence through trials: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… when you walk through fire you shall not be burned.” (03:47)
  • Ultimate purpose: His people are formed for His glory and praise.
  • Condemnation of Israel’s neglect, but also the promise: “I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (05:30)

2. Psalm 95: Call to Worship and Warning

• Joyful Worship (05:45–06:13)

  • The psalmist calls for joyful praise: “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” (05:46)
  • Emphasizes God’s greatness, sovereignty over creation, and His role as Shepherd: “We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” (06:05)

• Admonition Against Hardness of Heart (06:13–07:01)

  • Reference to Meribah and Massa where previous generations doubted God.
  • Divine warning: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (06:20)
  • Those who went astray “shall not enter my rest.” (06:56)

3. Acts 19: The Gospel Advances in Ephesus

• Receiving the Holy Spirit (07:02–08:18)

  • Paul encounters disciples baptized with John’s baptism, explains Jesus, and they’re baptized and receive the Holy Spirit—manifest with tongues and prophecy: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (07:10)

• Ministry, Opposition, and Miracles (08:19–11:00)

  • Paul preaches boldly for three months; some resist but others believe.
  • Hall of Tyrannus: daily teaching over two years leads to all of Asia (Jews and Greeks) hearing the gospel.
  • Extraordinary miracles through Paul, where “even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick…and the evil spirits came out of them.” (09:05)

• Confrontation with Magic and Evil Spirits (11:01–12:30)

  • Jewish exorcists attempt to use Jesus’ name; the evil spirit replies, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” (11:15)
  • After the failed exorcism and public incident, many believers confess and burn magic books, their value totaling 50,000 pieces of silver—an act of repentance and renunciation.

• Idolatry, Economics, and Riot in Ephesus (12:30–16:20)

  • Demetrius, a silversmith profiting from Artemis shrines, incites fellow craftsmen by saying “this Paul…says that gods made with hands are not gods. There is danger…that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing…” (12:50)
  • The city erupts in a riot, with chants of “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (13:25)
  • Many are confused about the commotion; the town clerk ultimately calms the mob by reaffirming Artemis’ status and urges lawful action, warning: “There is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” (15:45)
  • The assembly is dismissed in peace.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Servant:
  “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.” (00:13, Isaiah 42:3)

• Divine Assurance:
  “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (03:40, Isaiah 43:1)

• God’s Exclusive Identity:
  “Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” (04:40, Isaiah 43:10–11)

• Invitation to Worship:
  “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” (05:46, Psalm 95:1)

• Reality of False Exorcism:
  “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” (11:15, Acts 19:15)

• Public Repentance and Revival:
  “A number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” (12:10, Acts 19:19)

• Mob Mentality in Ephesus:
  “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (13:25, Acts 19:28, repeated)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01 – Opening: Reading from Isaiah 42–43 (Theme: Justice, Redemption, God’s Promise)
• 05:45 – Psalm 95: Call to Worship and Admonition
• 07:02 – Acts 19: Paul in Ephesus; receiving the Holy Spirit
• 08:19 – Paul’s ministry at the Hall of Tyrannus; miracles and impact
• 11:01 – Attempted exorcism, demonic encounter, and believers’ response
• 12:30 – Economic threat to idol makers and riot in Ephesus
• 16:20 – Assembly calmed and dismissed

Summary

This episode powerfully links Old Testament prophecy, wisdom literature, and the New Testament church’s growth:

• Isaiah’s prophecy introduces a gentle yet mighty Servant and reiterates God’s commitment to justice, his exclusive deity, and the restoration and forgiveness of his people.
• Psalm 95 calls for wholehearted worship and warns against the spiritual danger of hardened hearts—a recurring biblical theme.
• Acts 19 details dramatic demonstrations of the gospel’s power over spiritual darkness, cultural idols, and economic systems, culminating in public repentance and social upheaval.

The readings remind listeners of God’s enduring faithfulness, the radical implications of the gospel, and the call to worship and obey Him alone, even in the face of opposition or prevailing cultural norms.