Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

October 13 – Isaiah 44–45; Psalm 96; Acts 20

Episode Overview

Today's episode presents a blend of prophetic assurance, worship, and apostolic exhortation. The readings traverse Isaiah’s declaration of God’s singularity and sovereignty, Psalm 96’s call to universal worship, and Acts 20’s poignant moment as Paul prepares the Ephesian elders for his departure. The unifying purpose is to encourage faith in the unique, saving God and to model wholehearted service among believers.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. God’s Sovereignty and Uniqueness (Isaiah 44–45)

• God’s Creative Power and Promise to Israel ([00:01–04:20])
  • God reminds Jacob/Israel of His selection and care: “Fear not, O Jacob... For I will pour water on the thirsty land... I will pour my spirit upon your offspring...” (00:04)
• Futility of Idolatry ([04:21–10:50])
  • Isaiah ridicules idol-makers: "Half of it he burns... he makes it an idol and falls down before it... Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” (07:30)
  • The inability of idols to save is contrasted with the redeeming love of the Lord: “There is no God besides me... I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud... Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (10:39)
• God’s Plan through Cyrus ([10:51–16:25])
  • God names Cyrus as His instrument, even though Cyrus doesn’t know Him: “I call you by your name... I am the Lord, and there is no other. Besides me there is no God.” (12:40)
  • God declares that His power directs history: “I form light and create darkness... I am the Lord who does all these things.” (13:15)
• Universal Call to Salvation and Allegiance ([16:26–20:55])
  • A cosmic invitation: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (18:07)
  • The prophetic promise: “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.” (20:24)

2. Worship and Proclamation (Psalm 96)

• Universal Song of Praise ([20:56–22:34])
  • The psalm invites all creation to praise: “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! ...Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.” (21:10)
  • Idols are declared worthless, God alone is the Maker: “For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.” (21:35)
• Promise of Righteous Judgment ([22:35–23:20])
  • Universal anticipation: “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice... For he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.” (22:47)

3. Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders (Acts 20)

• Ministry Amidst Trials and Encouragement to Disciples ([23:21–27:30])
  • Paul endures danger but continues to build up the churches: “After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them... he departed.” (23:32)
  • An extraordinary miracle as Paul revives Eutychus: “Paul went down and bent over him...‘Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.’” (25:15)
• Paul’s Final Address: Humility, Watchfulness, and Mission ([27:31–37:55])
  • Paul summarizes his ministry with humility and sacrifice: “Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials...” (28:41)
  • Clarity of his gospel mission: “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable... testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (29:21)
  • Apostolic warning and exhortation: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers... I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you.” (34:05)
  • Emphasis on service and generosity: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (36:20)
• Emotional Farewell and Prayer ([37:56–end])
  • The elders’ sorrow and affection: “There was much weeping on the part of all... being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again.” (38:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Uniqueness:
  “I am the first, and I am the last; besides me there is no God.” (Isaiah 44:6, 03:56)
• On the Folly of Idolatry:
  “Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” (Isaiah 44:19, 07:40)
• On Redemption:
  “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22, 10:42)
• On God Calling Even the Foreign Ruler:
  “I call you by your name, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:4-5, 12:42)
• A Universal Call:
  “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22, 18:07)
• On Worship:
  “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! ...Declare his glory among the nations.” (Psalm 96:1-3, 21:10)
• On the Heart of Christian Leadership:
  “Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials...” (Acts 20:19, 28:41)
• Paul’s Perspective on Sacrifice:
  “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus...” (Acts 20:24, 30:15)
• A Pastoral Charge:
  “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers...” (Acts 20:28, 34:10)
• The Blessing of Giving:
  “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” (Acts 20:35, 36:20)
• A Tearful Goodbye:
  “There was much weeping on the part of all... being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again.” (Acts 20:37-38, 38:15)

Conclusion

This episode covers the majesty of Israel’s God, the folly of idols, the universality of salvation, the integrity of worship, and the sobering responsibility of spiritual leadership. From God’s cosmic declarations in Isaiah to a community’s heartfelt farewell in Acts, listeners are left with an assurance of God’s sovereign grace and a model of selfless, steadfast ministry.