Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: September 23 (Ecclesiastes 7–9; Psalm 78:1–39; John 20–21)
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Crossway

Overview

This episode offers a daily journey through three key sections of Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7–9, Psalm 78:1–39, and John 20–21. The readings guide listeners through ancient wisdom literature, a historical Psalm reflecting on Israel's faithfulness, and the triumphant resurrection accounts in the Gospel of John. The tone is reverent, contemplative, and focused on encouraging reflection, spiritual growth, and deeper biblical literacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ecclesiastes 7–9: Wisdom in Life and Death ([00:01])

• The Value of Wisdom and Sorrow

  • A good reputation surpasses riches: "A good name is better than precious ointment" (00:01).
  • Mourning brings more wisdom than celebration; sorrow deepens understanding.
  • It’s better to heed rebuke from the wise than praise from fools.
    • “Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad” (00:02).

• Limits of Human Understanding

  • Wisdom offers protection and strength, but even wisdom cannot solve all mysteries.
  • Both prosperity and adversity come from God.
    • “Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?” (00:04).

• The Frustrations of Justice and Fate

  • Life is unpredictable: righteousness and wickedness do not always lead to expected outcomes.
  • Encouragement to enjoy life’s simple pleasures—food, drink, love, and one’s toil—in the face of uncertainty.
    • “Go, eat your bread with joy... for God has already approved what you do” (00:10).

• Transience of Human Effort

  • Human efforts do not guarantee success; time and chance affect all.
    • "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong... but time and chance happen to them all" (00:13).
  • The story of the forgotten wise man who saves a city underscores wisdom’s quiet power.

2. Psalm 78:1–39: God’s Faithfulness and Human Rebellion ([00:18])

• Generational Remembrance

  • The Psalmist recounts God's deeds so that each generation sets their hope in God.
    • “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord” (00:20).

• Israel’s Rebellion and God's Mercy

  • Despite God’s miraculous works—splitting the sea, providing manna and meat—Israel doubted and rebelled.
  • God’s anger follows disbelief, but His compassion leads Him to restrain wrath.
    • “Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them” (00:36).
  • The people repeatedly forget God’s faithfulness; yet, God remembers their frailty.
    • “He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again” (00:38).

3. John 20–21: The Resurrection, Forgiveness, and Restoration ([00:40])

• Resurrection Morning

  • Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb, encounters angels, and meets the risen Christ.
    • “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabbonai!’ (which means Teacher)” (00:48).
    • Jesus commissions her to inform the disciples: “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (00:50).

• Jesus Appears to the Disciples

  • He greets them with peace and gives the Holy Spirit: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you... Receive the Holy Spirit” (00:55).
  • Thomas doubts, demands proof, then believes when Jesus appears.
    • “My Lord and my God!” — Thomas (01:04).
    • Jesus responds, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (01:06).

• Purpose of John’s Gospel

  • “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in his name” (01:09).

• The Miraculous Catch and Breakfast with Jesus

  • Post-resurrection appearance at Sea of Tiberias. The disciples catch 153 fish by following Jesus’ instructions.
    • “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (01:11).

• Restoration of Peter

  • Threefold questioning by Jesus heals Peter’s prior denial.
    • Jesus: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
    • Peter: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
    • Jesus: “Feed my sheep” (01:19–01:22).

• Call to Follow Christ

  • Jesus hints at Peter’s future martyrdom and calls him, “Follow me” (01:23).
  • When Peter asks about another disciple’s fate, Jesus says, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me” (01:25).

• The Uncontainable Testimony of Christ

  • Closing reflection: The deeds of Jesus are too numerous for the world to contain their full account (01:28).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Wisdom preserves the life of him who has it” (Ecclesiastes 7, 00:06).
• “Whoever keeps the command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way” (Ecclesiastes 8, 00:08).
• “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing... Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart” (Ecclesiastes 9, 00:13).
• “We will not hide [God’s deeds] from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord” (Psalm 78, 00:20).
• “He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again” (Psalm 78, 00:38).
• “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jesus, John 20, 01:06).
• “Feed my sheep” (Jesus to Peter, John 21, 01:19–01:22).
• “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me” (Jesus to Peter, John 21, 01:25).
• “The world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25, 01:28).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ecclesiastes Reading: 00:01–00:18
• Psalm 78 Reading: 00:18–00:40
• John 20–21 Reading: 00:40–01:29

Tone:
Faithful, meditative, and scripturally focused, this episode centers on the paradoxes of wisdom, the depth of God’s mercy, and the hope anchored in Christ’s resurrection—inviting listeners to live presently, remember God’s faithfulness, and follow Jesus in trust and love.