Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: September 6 (Proverbs 1–2; Psalm 63; John 3)
Date: September 6, 2025
Host: Crossway

Overview

In this episode, listeners are guided through three distinct passages: Proverbs 1–2, Psalm 63, and John 3 (ESV translation). The readings provide a journey from the pursuit and value of wisdom, through a psalm of longing for God’s presence, culminating in the pivotal New Testament conversation about spiritual rebirth and God’s salvific love. The episode's purpose is to immerse listeners in Scripture and highlight central themes of wisdom, longing, redemption, and surrender.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Proverbs 1–2: The Call and Reward of Wisdom

[00:04–04:05]

• Purpose of Proverbs:
  Solomon introduces the book as instruction for gaining wisdom, understanding, and prudent living.

  • “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight... to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.” (Reader/Preacher, 00:04)

• The Fear of the Lord:
  Foundational to knowledge and wisdom.

  • “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Reader/Preacher, 00:12)

• Parental Guidance:
  Importance of heeding parental advice as a form of protection and honor.

  • “Hear, my son, your father's instruction and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (Reader/Preacher, 00:15)

• Warning Against Temptation:
  Urges the young to resist peer pressure and invitations to wrongdoing.

  • “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent...do not walk in the way with them.” (Reader/Preacher, 00:18–01:15)

• Wisdom Personified:
  Wisdom calls out publicly, inviting all to listen but warning of consequences for refusal.

  • “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?...If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you.” (Reader/Preacher, 01:36–01:57)

• Blessings of Seeking Wisdom:
  Promises for those who earnestly seek understanding—security, integrity, and deliverance from evil.

  • “If you seek [wisdom] like silver… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Reader/Preacher, 02:15)

2. Psalm 63: A Psalm of Deep Spiritual Longing

[04:05–05:01]

• Thirst for God:
  David expresses an intense yearning for God, comparing his need for divine presence to thirst in a desert.

  • “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Reader/Preacher, 04:16)

• The Supremacy of God’s Love:
  Placing God’s steadfast love above life itself.

  • “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” (Reader/Preacher, 04:28)

• Satisfaction and Joy:
  Finding contentment and joy in God alone; worship is the natural response.

  • “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.” (Reader/Preacher, 04:35)

• Divine Protection:
  Imagery of God’s sustaining presence—a refuge in hardship.

  • “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Reader/Preacher, 04:48–04:57)

3. John 3: New Birth and God’s Redemptive Plan

[05:01–End]

• Nicodemus Visits Jesus:
  Nicodemus seeks Jesus at night, recognizing his uniqueness.

  • “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (Nicodemus, 05:23)

• The Necessity of Being Born Again:
  Jesus teaches the necessity of spiritual rebirth—a concept that confuses Nicodemus.

  • “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jesus, 05:28)
  • “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (Jesus, 05:37)

• The Work of the Spirit:
  The Spirit’s mysterious, sovereign activity compared to the wind.

  • “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Jesus, 06:00)

• The Purpose of the Son:
  The heart of the gospel—the love of God and the pathway to eternal life.

  • “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (Jesus, 06:25)

• Light vs. Darkness:
  Jesus describes the human condition: the tendency to love darkness rather than light due to evil deeds.

  • “The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” (Jesus, 06:40)

• John the Baptist’s Humility:
  A dispute arises about purification; John reaffirms his role and submits to Christ’s preeminence.

  • “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John the Baptist, 07:25)

• Eternal Life Through Belief:
  The blessings and consequences tied to belief in the Son.

  • “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (Reader/Preacher, 07:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Foundation of Wisdom:
  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs, Reader/Preacher, 00:12)
• On Desire for God:
  “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63, Reader/Preacher, 04:16)
• On God’s Love:
  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (Jesus, John 3:16, 06:25)
• On Humility in Ministry:
  “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John the Baptist, 07:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:04–04:05] – Proverbs 1–2: Pursuit, reward, and warning of wisdom
• [04:05–05:01] – Psalm 63: David’s longing and praise in the wilderness
• [05:01–07:55] – John 3: Jesus & Nicodemus, new birth, God’s love, John the Baptist’s testimony

This episode weaves foundational biblical teachings: the importance of seeking and heeding wisdom, the soul’s deepest craving for God, and the transforming power of believing in Christ. With stirring passages and memorable lines, listeners are both challenged and encouraged in faith and daily life.