Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: October 30 (Jeremiah 23–24; Psalm 110; Romans 16)
Date: October 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode presents selected readings from Jeremiah 23–24, Psalm 110, and Romans 16. The focus spans prophetic warnings and promises in Jeremiah, a messianic psalm in the Psalms, and personal greetings and final exhortations in Paul's letter to the Romans. The readings confront issues of leadership, false prophecy, divine justice, and the unity and perseverance of the church.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah 23–24: Condemnation of False Prophets and the Promise of Restoration

• Judgment on faithless leaders (“shepherds”):
  • God rebukes leaders who have harmed, scattered, and neglected His people.
    • “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, declares the Lord.” (00:01)
• Promise of a righteous future leader:
  • Forecast of a coming king from David’s line—the “righteous branch”—who will reign with justice.
    • “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely.” (02:00)
• Condemnation of corrupt prophets and priests:
  • Acute critique of those who use religious authority to deceive, promising safety when judgment is near.
    • “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. ... They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, it shall be well with you.” (07:20)
• God’s omnipresence and righteous word:
  • God reminds that He cannot be eluded and His word is powerful and true.
    • “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? ... Is not my word like fire … and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (12:00)
• Vision of two baskets of figs (“parable” of exiles and those left behind):
  • Good figs represent exiles whom God will restore and bless; bad figs symbolize those who remain and receive judgment.
    • “I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. ... But ... I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a reproach, a byword, a taunt, and a curse.” (21:30)

2. Psalm 110: Messianic Promise and the Priest-King

• Exaltation of the Messiah:
  • God speaks to “my Lord,” calling him to sit at His right hand, a position of supreme authority.
    • “The Lord says to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” (28:45)
• The priesthood of Melchizedek:
  • Depicts an everlasting priesthood, interpreted in later Christian texts as a prophecy of Jesus.
    • “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath.” (29:35)

3. Romans 16: Greetings, Unity, and Final Exhortation

• Personal greetings to a diverse church:
  • Paul lists individuals (numbering over two dozen) with gratitude, recognizing their service, hospitality, and partnership.
    • “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchrea, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and help her in whatever she may need from you.” (30:55)
    • “Greet Prisa and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life …” (31:40)
• Warnings against division:
  • Strong admonition to avoid those who distort the teaching and cause disunity.
    • “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught. Avoid them.” (34:30)
• A call to wise innocence and hope:
  • Encouragement for shrewdness in goodness and purity from evil, and hope in God’s ultimate victory.
    • “I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (35:20)
• Communal greetings from Paul's companions:
  • Includes greetings from the letter’s scribe, Tertius, and others.
    • “I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (36:10)
• Closing doxology emphasizing the gospel’s universal revelation:
  • “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel … to bring about the obedience of faith … to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen.” (37:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Is not my word like fire? Declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.” (12:10) — God on the irresistible power of His word.
• “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (29:35) — A major messianic prophecy tied to Jesus in the New Testament.
• “I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (35:20) — Paul's encouragement and hope for the church.
• “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel ... to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen.” (37:35) — The epistle’s stirring conclusion.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Judgment and hope for Judah’s leaders: 00:01–07:00
• Rebuke of false prophets: 07:00–15:00
• The vision of good and bad figs (restoration & judgment): 21:30–28:00
• Psalm 110—Messiah and priestly king: 28:45–30:35
• Romans 16 — Greetings and unity: 30:55–37:30
• Final doxology: 37:35–end

Episode Takeaways

This episode weaves together themes of prophetic warning and comfort (Jeremiah), the hope embodied in God’s chosen king and priest (Psalm 110), and the call to unity, discernment, and perseverance found in the closing words of Romans. The readings invite listeners to trust God’s justice, cherish sound doctrine, and celebrate the fellowship and labors of the church.

For further reflection, listeners may consider:

• The danger of religious leaders disconnected from God’s heart (Jeremiah 23).
• The pattern of messianic hope fulfilled in Jesus (Psalm 110).
• The importance of both unity and vigilance in Christian community (Romans 16).