Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: October 28 – Jeremiah 18–20; Psalm 108; Romans 12–13

Episode Overview

This episode continues the year-long journey through the ESV Bible with readings from Jeremiah 18–20 (Old Testament), Psalm 108, and Romans 12–13 (New Testament). The passages explore significant themes of God's sovereignty, warning and judgment, the steadfastness of worship, and the marks of a true Christian life. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on God’s power to reshape lives, the seriousness of following God wholeheartedly, and the call to sacrificial love, humility, and transformation in Christ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jeremiah 18–20: The Potter, Prophesied Disaster, and the Prophet's Anguish

[00:01–23:15]

• God as the Potter (18:1–12)

  • God sends Jeremiah to observe a potter at work, illustrating His ultimate authority over nations and individuals:

    "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? ...like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." ([00:03])

  • God's sovereignty allows Him to reshape both destinies and consequences based on repentance or rebellion.

• Rebellion and Plots Against Jeremiah (18:13–23)

  • Judah’s stubborn response:

    "But they say, that is in vain. We will follow our own plans, and will everyone act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart?" ([00:06])

  • Jeremiah prays for God's justice against those plotting against him.

• The Broken Flask: Symbol of Irreversible Judgment (19:1–13)

  • Jeremiah is instructed to shatter a potter’s flask as a symbol:

    "So will I break this people and this city as one breaks a potter's vessel, so that it can never be mended." ([00:16])

  • God condemns Judah's idol worship (including human sacrifice) and proclaims coming devastation.

• Jeremiah's Suffering and Honest Lament (20:1–18)

  • Jeremiah is persecuted for his message, beaten, and put in stocks.
  • The prophet expresses both his compulsion to speak God’s words and his deep anguish:

    "There is in my heart, as it were, a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot." ([00:21])

  • Jeremiah vacillates between despair over his hardship and confidence in God’s ultimate justice.

2. Psalm 108: Steadfast Praise and Trust in God’s Deliverance

[23:16–25:25]

• David’s Song of Confidence
  • Commitment to worship no matter the circumstances:

    "My heart is steadfast, O God. I will sing and make melody with all my being." ([23:20])

  • Proclamation of God’s covenant, sovereignty, and ultimate victory:

    "With God we shall do valiantly. It is he who will tread down our foes." ([25:15])

3. Romans 12–13: Living Sacrifice, Humility, and Christian Living

[25:26–end]

• Transformed Living (12:1–2)

  • Call to present oneself as a living sacrifice:

    "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." ([25:35])

  • Emphasis on discerning God’s will as the fruit of transformed thinking.

• Unity and Diversity in the Church (12:3–8)

  • Paul warns against pride; encourages use of diverse gifts in service:

    "So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."

• Marks of True Christianity (12:9–21)

  • Call for genuine love, patience, prayer, generosity, and peacemaking:

    "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."
    "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." ([27:50])

  • Radical statements on loving enemies, repaying evil with good.

• Christian Obedience to Authorities (13:1–7)

  • Instruction to submit to governing authorities, recognizing God’s sovereignty over rulers.
  • Summation:

    "Pay to all what is owed to them... respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." ([29:10])

• Love as Fulfillment of the Law (13:8–14)

  • Love summarized as the fulfillment of the law.

    "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." ([29:55])

  • Urgent call to walk in the light and put on Jesus Christ:

    "So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light... put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires." ([31:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• God's Sovereign Warning:

  "Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel." ([00:03])

• Rejection of God’s Words:

  "We will follow our own plans, and will everyone act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart?" ([00:06])

• The Prophet’s Burning Calling:

  "There is in my heart, as it were, a burning fire shut up in my bones... and I cannot [hold it in]." ([00:21])

• Steadfast Praise and Hope:

  "For your steadfast love is great above the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." ([24:00])

• Christian Living Distilled:

  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." ([25:35]) "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." ([26:45]) "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." ([29:55])

• Urgency in Following Christ:

  "The night is far gone, the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." ([30:45])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jeremiah 18–20: [00:01–23:15]
• Psalm 108: [23:16–25:25]
• Romans 12–13: [25:26–end]

Summary Flow & Takeaways

Jackie Hill Perry carefully brings listeners through some of Scripture’s most vivid passages regarding God’s authority and the importance of repentance (Jeremiah), the steadfastness of praise (Psalms), and the high calling of Christian living (Romans). The juxtaposition of Old Testament warning and suffering with the New Testament’s call to love and transformation presents a holistic view of God’s dealings with humanity—emphasizing justice, mercy, and the renewing power of faith lived out in community.

Listeners are invited to consider:

• The danger of stubbornness before God and the hope found in repentance.
• The importance of worship and faithfulness, even amid adversity.
• The centrality of love, humility, and genuine transformation in following Christ.

A rich, challenging reading for reflection and transformation—true to both the gravity and hope found in God’s Word.