The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 11 – The Sacrifice of Isaac
Date: January 11, 2026

Overview

Day 11 of The Bible in a Year podcast, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz, centers on the profound and iconic story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22–23), complemented by readings from Job 11–12 and Proverbs 2:9–15. The episode explores the depths of faith, trust, and the relationship between father and son, drawing parallels to the ultimate sacrifice in Christian theology: Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion. Fr. Mike provides rich commentary, connecting the ancient narrative to our spiritual journey today, focusing especially on the themes of trust in God and the true meaning of faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reading: Abraham’s Test (Genesis 22–23)

• God’s Command: God calls Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah ([03:00]).
• Abraham’s Obedience: Abraham prepares for the journey with Isaac, demonstrating unwavering faith and obedience.
• The Binding of Isaac: Isaac carries the wood himself, and, crucially, submits to his father’s will ([06:30]).
• Divine Intervention: At the critical moment, the angel stops Abraham, affirming his faith, and provides a ram as a substitute offering ([07:50]).
• Covenant Renewal: God reiterates the promise to Abraham of countless descendants as a reward for his obedience ([09:00]).
• Sarah’s Death and Burial: The narrative shifts to Sarah’s death and Abraham’s careful negotiations to purchase a burial plot for her ([12:00]).

2. Job’s Struggle with Suffering (Job 11–12)

• Zophar’s Rebuke: Zophar questions Job’s plea of innocence and suggests Job deserves worse, highlighting the incomprehensibility of God’s wisdom ([18:00]).
• Job’s Response: Job asserts his own understanding, laments his mockery by friends, and highlights the mysterious ways of God ([20:00]).
• Wisdom Theme: Both friends and creatures acknowledge God’s dominion over all creation ([22:00]).

3. Proverbs on Wisdom and Uprightness (Proverbs 2:9–15)

• Theme of Guidance: Emphasis on wisdom, understanding, and discretion as protection from evil and the perverse ([25:30]).

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Reflection & Insights

Abraham’s Profound Trust in God

• Faith Beyond the Surface:

  “We might not get it on the surface… We think, like, this is just crazy. I hope God never asks me of that. I hope God never asks me to give him the thing I love the most.” ([27:00])

• Abraham’s long journey with God is highlighted. This test isn’t arbitrary but built on decades of relationship and trust ([28:00]).

The Father-Son Dynamic: A Team Effort

• Not a Story of Domination:

  “Art will sometimes depict…Abraham, the old man…binding up his son Isaac, who is like struggling and who is like a child. And yet this is Abraham and Isaac working together.” ([29:30])

• Isaac likely wasn't a child, but a strong young man (possibly in his 30s), quite capable of resisting, yet he submits willingly to Abraham.

Typology: Preparation for Christ

• Prefiguring the Crucifixion:

  “This is setting the stage for the Eternal Father with his only beloved, only begotten Son whom he loves. And that sacrifice of the Son and of the Father on Calvary, this is unmistakably a preparation for Christ’s sacrifice.” ([31:00])

• Parallels:
  • Isaac carries the wood up Mount Moriah; Jesus carries the Cross to Calvary (both part of the same mountain range) ([32:00]).
  • “Take your son, your only begotten son, whom you love…” echoes John 3:16 ([32:50]).

The Spiritual Lesson: Trust

• Central Message:

  “The point is trust. That is the number one word. Abraham is the Father in faith. Why? Because when it came down to it, he was willing to trust God.” ([33:40])

• Cooperation in Sacrifice: Emphasis on the mutual trust and cooperation between Abraham and Isaac as a model for the Christian’s cooperation with God’s plan ([34:00]).
• God Is Not Our Enemy: Contrasts with Job’s struggle, reminding listeners that God’s will can be trusted even in trial ([35:10]).

Relevance to Listeners

• Our Own Struggles:

  “We struggle to trust the Lord. We struggle when we’re in the position of our friend Job, and we also struggle when we’re being asked just to cooperate and trust the Father…” ([36:30])

• The story is not about arbitrary sacrifice but about relationship, trust, and the assurance that God is “too good to let the end be simply destruction.” ([37:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Abraham’s Faith and Obedience:
  “At the heart of everything in this reading...Abraham is the father of faith. And here is the moment where he...reveals the depth of his faith.” ([27:40])

• On Isaac’s Role:
  “Isaac is not a child who was overpowered by his father. In fact, if anything, Isaac is the one who’s stronger in this story. Why? Well, they go up the mountain…Isaac is in his 30s, maybe even 33 years old…he could overpower his father.” ([30:40])

• On the Parallel with Christ:
  “You have Jesus the Son, walking up with the wood of the cross on his back up on Mount Moriah…this deep and profound cooperation. And this is what we cannot miss.” ([32:10])

• On Trust in God:
  “God is not your enemy. This is what Job was wrestling with. Is God my enemy? Does God care?” ([35:15])

• Encouragement to Listeners:
  “We struggle to walk with Him. We struggle when we’re in the position of our friend Job, and we also struggle when we’re being asked just to cooperate and trust the Father in the midst of what looks like the end, but we know cannot be the end because he is too good…” ([36:40])

Important Timestamps

• Abraham’s Test and Sacrifice of Isaac: [03:00]–[12:00]
• Job 11–12 Readings and Lament: [18:00]–[24:00]
• Proverbs on Wisdom: [25:30]–[26:30]
• Fr. Mike’s Reflection (Abraham and Isaac): [27:00]–[34:00]
• Parallel to Christ, Trust, Spiritual Application: [34:00]–[37:00]

Tone and Language

Fr. Mike’s tone remains warm, pastoral, and encouraging throughout, blending scholarly insight with heartfelt spiritual exhortation. He frequently uses direct address (“guys,” “we struggle”) to relate to the listener, and his reflections invite personal connection and prayer.

Conclusion

Episode 11 offers a powerful meditation on Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, framing it not simply as an ancient test, but as a foundational story of faith, trust, and cooperation with God—a prelude to the ultimate act of love in Christ’s sacrifice. By connecting Abraham’s experience to our daily lives and struggles, Fr. Mike encourages listeners to embrace a deeper trust in God’s goodness, even when the path is unclear.

“He is too good to let the end be simply destruction. He’s too good. That’s why this is not the end of the book. This is the beginning of the book.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz ([37:00])