Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: October 31 (Jeremiah 25–26; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 1)

Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Crossway

Overview

This episode features the daily readings from the ESV Bible, guided by bestselling author Jackie Hill Perry. The readings cover selections from the Old Testament (Jeremiah 25–26), the Psalms (Psalm 111), and the New Testament (1 Corinthians 1). The theme weaves together God’s warnings and judgments against unfaithfulness, His enduring wisdom and faithfulness, and the power and paradox of the gospel.

Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 25–26

Focus: Jeremiah prophesies God's impending judgment on Judah and the surrounding nations for persistent disobedience. Jeremiah faces severe opposition for his message but remains steadfast, highlighting both God’s justice and His invitation to repentance.

Key Points and Insights

• Jeremiah’s Persistent Warning (00:01–03:10)
  • For 23 years, Jeremiah has spoken God’s word, but the people have continually ignored God's call to turn from evil (00:30).
  • Repeated warnings to “turn now every one of you from his evil way and evil deeds” (00:51).
• The Coming Judgment (03:11–05:33)
  • God announces that Nebuchadnezzar, “my servant,” will conquer Judah, and the people will serve Babylon for 70 years (01:45).
  • After 70 years, Babylon itself will be punished for its own iniquity (02:30).
• The Cup of God’s Wrath (05:34–09:30)
  • Jeremiah is told to make all nations drink from the “cup of the wine of wrath,” symbolizing judgment (03:50).
  • Not only Jerusalem and Judah but also many surrounding nations will face desolation and ruin (04:10).
  • Memorable moment: The totality of judgment—“from one end of the earth to the other… they shall be dung on the surface of the ground” (07:50).
• Call for Repentance in the Temple (09:31–13:20)
  • Jeremiah instructed to preach without holding back: “It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way…” (09:49).
  • Threat of destruction on the temple and the city if people do not repent, likened to Shiloh’s fate (10:45).
• Jeremiah’s Trial and Deliverance (13:21–17:50)
  • Priests and prophets demand Jeremiah’s death for his prophetic warning (11:10).
  • Jeremiah’s defense: “The Lord sent me to prophesy… mend your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent…” (12:15).
  • Officials and elders recall the example of Micah, who also warned of destruction but was not put to death; they advocate for Jeremiah’s release (13:36).
  • The contrast: Uriah, another prophet, is executed, but Jeremiah is spared due to the protection of Ahikam (17:00).

Notable Quote:

• “Only know for certain that if you put me to death you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants. For in truth, the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.” — Jeremiah (12:40)

Psalm Reading: Psalm 111

Focus: A psalm of praise, reflecting on God’s wondrous works, faithfulness, provision, enduring righteousness, and the foundation of true wisdom.

Key Points and Insights

• Themes of Praise and Remembrance (17:51–19:10)
  • Praise offered “with my whole heart in the company of the upright…” (17:51).
  • God’s works described as “full of splendor and majesty,” and remembered through generations (18:05).
  • God’s provision and faithfulness: “He provides food for those who fear Him… He remembers his covenant forever.” (18:16)
• The Fear of the Lord as the Beginning of Wisdom (18:45)
  • “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” A central message — true understanding comes from humble reverence towards God.

Notable Quote:

• “Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” — Psalmist (18:45)

New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 1

Focus: Paul opens his letter by calling for unity in the Corinthian church, emphasizes the power and paradoxical nature of the cross, and challenges the standards of worldly wisdom.

Key Points and Insights

• Paul’s Greeting and Thanksgiving (19:11–20:50)
  • Affirms the church’s calling: “to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (19:26).
  • Expresses thanks for their spiritual gifts and God’s faithfulness (19:50).
• Appeal for Unity and Against Division (20:51–22:00)
  • Urges believers: “that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind…” (21:00).
  • Reports of factionalism based on loyalty to different leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ (21:25).
• The Meaning and Power of the Gospel (22:01–25:05)
  • Emphasizes preaching the gospel over baptizing—“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel…” (22:30).
  • Lays out the paradox: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (23:11)
  • God’s wisdom contrasted with human wisdom: “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (24:38)
• God’s Choice of the Lowly (25:06-end)
  • God chooses the weak, foolish, and despised to shame the strong and wise; salvation excludes human boasting.
  • Christ is “wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (26:05)
  • Closes with, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (26:28)

Notable Quotes:

• “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” — Paul (21:35)
• “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” — Paul (23:11)
• “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” — Paul (26:28)

Memorable Moments

• Jeremiah’s Reluctant but Bold Faith:
  Jeremiah stands ready to face death for faithfully delivering God's message, showing remarkable courage and integrity (12:40).
• Vivid Warning Imagery:
  The destruction described in Jeremiah—“The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth. For the Lord has an indictment against the nations…”—underscores the seriousness of God’s judgment (06:55).
• The Upending of Worldly Values:
  Paul’s declaration that “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise” (25:30) turns societal expectations upside down, underlining the radical nature of the gospel.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 — Start of Jeremiah 25; warnings to Judah
• 05:34 — The cup of God’s wrath to the nations
• 09:31 — Jeremiah’s message at the temple and his arrest
• 13:36 — Jeremiah’s trial and the elders’ intervention
• 17:51 — Psalm 111: Praise and wisdom
• 19:11 — 1 Corinthians 1: Paul’s greeting and thanksgiving
• 21:00 — Paul’s appeal for unity in Corinth
• 23:11 — The paradox and power of the cross
• 25:30 — God’s choice of the lowly
• 26:28 — Boasting only in the Lord

Conclusion

This episode powerfully ties together themes of God’s justice, mercy, and wisdom. The readings invite reflection on personal faithfulness, the folly of worldly divisions and pride, and the hope found in the wisdom of God revealed in Christ. For listeners, it’s a rich tapestry showing the unity of biblical revelation across both Old and New Testaments.