Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: September 8 (Proverbs 5–6; Psalm 65; John 5)
Date: September 8, 2025
Host: Crossway

Overview

In this episode, listeners journey through selected readings from the Old Testament (Proverbs 5–6), Psalms (Psalm 65), and the New Testament (John 5). The episode features thematic reflections on wisdom regarding temptation and diligence, a psalm of praise celebrating God’s provision, and the compelling narrative of Jesus healing on the Sabbath—culminating in Jesus proclaiming his divine authority. The episode maintains a contemplative, reverent tone as Scripture is recited.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Warnings Against Temptation and Folly — Proverbs 5–6 (00:01–05:19)

• Admonition to Seek Wisdom

  • An exhortation addressed to “my son,” urging attentiveness to wisdom and discretion.
  • Emphasis on the danger of the “forbidden woman;” her allure is deceptive, leading to destruction.
    • “Her feet go down to death, her steps follow the path to Sheol.” (00:26)
  • Counsel to maintain distance from temptation to safeguard one’s honor and future.

• Reflection on Regret after Folly

  • Vivid imagery of remorse:
    • “And at the end of your life you groan when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, ‘How I hated discipline and my heart despised reproof.’” (01:18)

• Call to Marital Faithfulness

  • Encourages delight in the spouse of one’s youth, as opposed to seeking illicit relationships.
    • “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth. … Be intoxicated always in her love.” (01:53)

• On Consequences and Divine Accountability

  • Reminder that all ways are before God:
    • “For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord and he ponders all his paths.” (02:04)

• Wisdom on Financial Entanglements

  • Warning against rashly pledging security for others, urging quick action to escape binding commitments.

• Industriousness versus Laziness

  • Use of the ant as a model for diligence:
    • “Go to the ant, O sluggard. Consider her ways and be wise.” (02:16)
  • Laziness is chastised with the warning of poverty and ruin.

• God’s Hatred of Wickedness

  • Enumeration of seven abominations:
    • “Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood… and one who sows discord among brothers.” (03:13)

• Necessity of Heeding Parental Wisdom

  • Parental guidance described as light and protection, especially in avoiding the snares of temptation.

• On Adultery and Its Consequences

  • Strong imagery about the inevitability of repercussions:
    • “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?... So is he who goes into his neighbor's wife. None who touches her will go unpunished.” (03:55)

2. The God Who Provides and Forgives — Psalm 65 (05:21–06:01)

• Praise for God’s Worthiness and Grace

  • God is extolled as one who hears prayers, forgives transgressions, and welcomes worshippers:
    • “Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion. And to you shall vows be performed.” (05:22)
  • The blessedness of those whom God brings near is described.

• God’s Sovereign Power in Creation

  • References to God’s authority over nature: calming seas, enriching the earth, providing grain through rain.
    • “The river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.” (05:40)
  • Bounty and abundance seen as direct blessings from God.

• Imagery of Joyful Creation

  • Creation itself is personified in rejoicing:
    • “The meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain. They shout and sing together for joy.” (05:54)

3. Jesus’ Healing and Divine Authority — John 5 (06:01–end)

• Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

  • Jesus encounters a man invalid for 38 years and asks, “Do you want to be healed?” (06:29)
  • Despite the man’s lack of help, Jesus commands:
    • “Get up. Take up your bed and walk.” (06:45)
  • Immediate healing occurs, provoking controversy because it is the Sabbath.

• Controversy over the Sabbath

  • The healed man is challenged by Jewish leaders for carrying his bed on the Sabbath, revealing focus on law over miracle.
  • Jesus is identified by the healed man as the source of healing (07:15).

• Jesus’ Claim to Divine Sonship

  • Jesus defends his actions:
    • “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (07:26)
  • The statement is seen as making himself equal with God.

• Jesus Teaches on Authority and Judgment

  • Emphasis that the Son does only what the Father does; the Father bestows all judgment on the Son.
    • “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” (07:47)
    • “Whoever hears My word and believes him who sent me has eternal life… has passed from death to life.” (08:28)

• Resurrection and Final Judgment

  • Jesus declares a coming hour when the dead shall hear his voice and be resurrected, some to life, others to judgment.
    • “For an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out…” (08:55)

• Witness and Testimony

  • Jesus speaks of the Father’s testimony about him, the witness of John the Baptist, and the testimony of Scripture:
    • “The works that the Father has given me to accomplish… bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.” (09:35)
    • Points out the disconnect:
      • “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (09:52)

• Concluding Challenge Regarding Moses and Belief

  • Jesus states that belief in Moses should logically lead to belief in Him:
    • “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.” (10:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Her feet go down to death, her steps follow the path to Sheol.” — Proverbs warning, (00:26)
• “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth.” (01:53)
• “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?” (03:55)
• “Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion.” — Opening line of Psalm 65 (05:22)
• “Get up. Take up your bed and walk.” — Jesus (06:45)
• “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” — Jesus (07:26)
• “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” (07:47)
• “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life… and it is they that bear witness about me.” (09:52)
• “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.” (10:23)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 – Proverbs 5–6: Warning against temptation and folly
• 05:21 – Psalm 65: Praise and gratitude for God’s provision
• 06:01 – John 5: Jesus heals at Bethesda; ensuing conflict, teaching on authority and resurrection

This episode offers not only a sequential reading of the Scriptures but also a cohesive meditation on the pursuit of wisdom, faithfulness, gratitude for divine provision, and the supreme identity and authority of Jesus as both healer and divine judge. The readings collectively urge listeners toward personal integrity, humble dependence on God, and belief in Christ as revealed in the Scriptures.