Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode Date: September 18, 2025
Readings: Proverbs 25–26; Psalm 73; John 15

Episode Overview

This episode continues the journey through Scripture with focused readings from Proverbs, Psalms, and the Gospel of John. The central theme is spiritual wisdom in daily actions, grappling with envy and doubt in the midst of injustice, and the call to abide deeply in Christ’s love. Each passage explores the intersection of faith, conduct, and enduring trust in God.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Proverbs 25–26: Wisdom for Relationships and Conduct

[00:01–08:01]

• The Glory of Concealment and Search

  • "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." (00:03)
    • Insight: God’s ways are often hidden, prompting pursuit of understanding and humility.

• Humility and Caution

  • “Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence ... for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.” (00:08)
    • Lesson: Promotes humility and the value of waiting to be recognized.

• Peacemaking and Wisdom in Speech

  • “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (00:19)
    • A reminder of the power and beauty of wisely chosen words.

• Self-control and Boundaries

  • “Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.” (00:36)
    • Counsel for respecting relational boundaries.

• Kindness to Enemies

  • “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (00:46)
    • Echoes the call to radical kindness.

• Dangers of Folly and Laziness

  • “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (02:16)
  • “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road!’” (02:31)
    • Stark comparisons highlight the destructiveness of persistent foolishness and laziness.

• Speech, Quarrels, and Deceit

  • “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.” (03:18)
    • Gossip is shown as fuel for conflict.
  • “A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” (03:49)
    • Stern warning against deceitful communication.

Psalm 73: Wrestling with Injustice and Renewed Perspective

[08:02–11:04]

• Struggle with Envy and Doubt

  • “But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (08:34)
    • Honest admission of struggling with envy toward the seemingly carefree wicked.

• Turning Point in Worship

  • “But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God. Then I discerned their end.” (09:28)
    • Clarity and peace are found in God’s presence.

• Assurance of God’s Faithfulness

  • “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.” (10:10)
    • Declaration of God’s sustaining presence and ultimate hope.

• Centrality of God

  • “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” (10:19)
  • “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (10:25)
    • Profound expression of God as the sole source of strength and fulfillment.

John 15: Abiding and Love

[11:05–15:35]

• Vine and Branches Metaphor

  • “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (11:09)
    • Jesus calls listeners to mutual abiding for spiritual fruitfulness.

• Dependence on Christ

  • “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (11:50)
    • Deep need for spiritual connection with Christ.

• Love as the Fulfillment of Command

  • “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (12:53)
  • “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (13:03)
    • Jesus frames sacrificial love as the highest ethic.

• Friendship with Christ

  • “No longer do I call you servants ... but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (13:26)
    • Intimate relationship invitation.

• Mission and Assurance of Fruitfulness

  • “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” (13:50)
    • The chosen status and enduring impact for followers.

• Call to Perseverance amidst Opposition

  • “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (14:19)
    • Preparation for adversity in living out faith.

• Promise of the Spirit

  • “But when the helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth ... he will bear witness about me.” (15:01)
    • Assurance of the Holy Spirit’s guiding presence.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Humility and Wisdom:

  • “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
    —Proverbs 25:11 (00:19)

• On Enduring Faith:

  • “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
    —Psalm 73:26 (10:25)

• On Abiding in Christ:

  • “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
    —Jesus, John 15:5 (11:50)

• On Sacrificial Love:

  • “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
    —Jesus, John 15:13 (13:03)

• On Friendship with Jesus:

  • “No longer do I call you servants ... but I have called you friends.”
    —Jesus, John 15:15 (13:26)

Important Timestamps

• [00:01–08:01]: Proverbs 25–26: Teachings on wisdom, humility, speech, and conduct.
• [08:02–11:04]: Psalm 73: Wrestling with why the wicked prosper, finding hope in God’s presence.
• [11:05–15:35]: John 15: Jesus’ teaching on abiding in Him, love, friendship, and perseverance.

This episode offers scriptural readings that address the nature of wise living, raw human doubts and hopes, and Jesus’ invitation to remain in loving relationship with Him. By focusing on the text, listeners are led through an exploration of real, relatable challenges and the faithfulness of God amid them.