Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: October 21 (Jeremiah 2–3; Psalm 104; Romans 1)
Host: Crossway
Date: October 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features selected readings from the ESV Bible:

• Old Testament: Jeremiah 2–3
• Psalm: Psalm 104
• New Testament: Romans 1

The primary focus of the episode is to present Scripture passages for meditation and reflection, tracing God’s relationship with Israel through the prophet Jeremiah, celebrating God’s creative power in Psalm 104, and opening the Book of Romans with Paul’s introduction to the gospel message and the universal reality of sin.

Reading Breakdown & Key Insights

1. Jeremiah 2–3: Israel’s Unfaithfulness and God’s Call to Return

[00:01 – approx 17:20]

• God’s Recollection of Israel’s Early Devotion
  • “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness…” (A, 00:12)
  • Israel as the “first fruits” and “holy to the Lord.”
• Accusation of Idolatry and Forsaking God
  • Israel’s exchange of God for “worthlessness,” failing to remember God’s past rescue and provision.
  • Failure of priests, shepherds (leaders), and prophets (“The shepherds transgressed against me, the prophets prophesied by BAAL…” 00:45).
• Metaphors of Broken Cisterns and Adultery
  • “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (A, 01:07)
  • Spiritual infidelity depicted through vivid imagery (wild vine, adulterous wife).
• Consequences and Lament
  • References to Israel’s shame and suffering as a direct result of abandonment of God (references to oppression by foreign nations and internal corruption).
• Promise of Restoration
  • Despite faithlessness, God extends the invitation: “Return, faithless Israel… for I am merciful, declares the Lord. I will not be angry forever.” (A, 14:57)
  • Vision of a renewed Israel: return to Zion, spiritual shepherds, unity of Judah and Israel, and worldwide recognition of God (“At that time, Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord.” 15:32)

Notable Quotes:

• “As a thief is shamed when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed… For they have turned their back to me and not their face.” (A, 09:25)
• “Return, O faithless sons. I will heal your faithlessness. Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God.” (A, 16:50)

2. Psalm 104: Praise for God’s Creation

[approx 17:21 – 23:13]

• God’s Majesty and Sovereignty
  • Exaltation of God as Creator, sovereign over all natural forces and life.
  • “Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty.” (A, 17:22)
• Creation’s Interdependence
  • Detailed description of nature’s dependence on God for provision—watering mountains, feeding animals, providing man with food, wine, and oil (A, 19:50).
• Universal Praise and Dependence
  • Repeated emphasis on all creatures looking to God (“These all look to you to give them their food in due season.” 22:22)
• Affirmation of God’s Eternal Glory
  • “May the glory of the Lord endure forever. May the Lord rejoice in his works…” (A, 22:58)
  • Resolve to worship: “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have being.” (A, 23:01)

3. Romans 1: Introduction and Universal Need for the Gospel

[approx 23:14 – 33:20]

• Paul’s Apostolic Mission and Greeting
  • Paul introduces himself and outlines the purpose: to preach the gospel “concerning his Son… Jesus Christ our Lord.” (A, 23:19)
  • Mutual encouragement in the faith (A, 24:08).
• Power of the Gospel
  • “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel. For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (A, 25:18)
  • Righteousness of God is “revealed from faith for faith.” (25:30)
• Humanity’s Rejection of God
  • All people are without excuse since God’s “invisible attributes… have been clearly perceived… in the things that have been made.” (A, 26:23)
  • Humanity’s futile thinking, idolatry, and downward spiral into immorality once God is rejected.
• Description of Sin
  • “Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man…” (A, 27:07)
  • Cataloguing of destructive behaviors and brokenness: “full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness…” (A, 31:50)
• Grave Warning
  • “Though they know God's righteous decree… they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them.” (A, 33:07)

Notable Quotes:

• “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” (A, 26:07)
• “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” (A, 28:14)

Memorable Moments

• God’s Candid Lament and Invitation:
  God’s profound grief over Israel’s unfaithfulness, yet his continued offer of mercy: “Return, faithless Israel… I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful.” (A, 14:57)
• Comprehensive Praise:
  The Psalmist’s exuberant recounting of creation’s wonder, coupling awe with humility.
• Romans’ Opening Clarity:
  The stark depiction in Romans 1 of humanity's universal need for salvation and the sincerity in Paul’s mission: “I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” (A, 25:10)

Suggested Listening Timestamps

• Jeremiah 2–3 (Israel’s Unfaithfulness & God’s Call): 00:01–17:20
• Psalm 104 (Creation’s Praise): 17:21–23:13
• Romans 1 (Gospel Message & Human Brokenness): 23:14–33:20

Conclusion

This episode traverses the depths of human unfaithfulness, the grandeur of God's creation, and the foundational message of salvation through faith in Christ. Listeners are invited to reflect on the constancy of God’s offer of mercy in Jeremiah, the praise due to God in Psalms, and the call to faith and repentance in Romans.