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

Episode: Day 16 – The Suffering of Job (2026)

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Original Air Date: January 16, 2026
Focus: Genesis 31–32, Job 21–22, Proverbs 3:9–12

Overview

On Day 16 of "The Bible in a Year," Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through important moments in Genesis (the conflict and separation between Jacob and Laban, and Jacob’s impending reunion with Esau), the ongoing dialogues in Job (focus on Job’s suffering and his friends’ interpretations), and a reflection from Proverbs. Fr. Mike’s commentary centers on the complex nature of suffering, the limitations of easy answers, and the ongoing need for community and prayer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genesis 31–32: Jacob Leaves Laban and Faces Esau

• Jacob’s Departure; Laban’s Pursuit (00:40–08:40)

  • Jacob senses hostility from Laban’s family and receives God's command to return home.

  • Rachel and Leah support the move, noting their father’s unfairness.

  • Rachel secretly steals Laban's household gods; Jacob flees with his family and possessions.

  • Laban catches up after being warned by God in a dream not to harm Jacob.

  • Memorable Exchange: Jacob protests his innocence and loyalty to Laban, recounting 20 years of devotion (07:30).

    "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me, although you have felt all through my goods?"
    — Jacob to Laban (07:45)

• Covenant at Gilead and Parting (08:40–10:30)

  • They agree to a covenant marked by a heap of stones, with each side pledging peace.
  • Laban says goodbye to his family.

• Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau (10:30–14:00)

  • Jacob learns Esau is approaching with 400 men and fears for his family.

  • He offers a heartfelt prayer:

    "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercy and all the faithfulness which you have shown to your servant."
    — Jacob prays to God (12:00)

  • Jacob sends gifts in hopes of appeasing Esau.

• Jacob Wrestles with God (14:00–16:00)

  • A mysterious man wrestles Jacob until dawn and blesses him, changing his name to Israel.

  • Jacob recognizes the encounter as divine:

    "I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved."
    — Jacob, reflecting on the struggle (15:50)

2. Job 21–22: The Suffering of the Innocent and the Problem of Platitudes

• Job’s Response to Suffering (16:00–18:00)

  • Job laments that the wicked often prosper and die in peace, challenging the assumption that suffering is always a direct result of sin.

  • He expresses dismay at the emptiness of his friends’ consolation:

    "How then will you comfort me? With empty nothings. There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood."
    — Job (17:45)

• Eliphaz’s Accusation (18:00–20:00)

  • Eliphaz insists Job’s suffering must be due to some hidden sin, urging him to repent for restoration:

    "If you return to the Almighty and humble yourself... then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God."
    — Eliphaz (19:45)

3. Proverbs 3:9–12: Wisdom on Discipline and God's Love

• The Blessing of Honoring and Accepting Discipline (20:00–20:25)
  • Listeners are encouraged to honor God with their resources.
  • God disciplines those He loves, like a father to a son, emphasizing trust in divine correction.

Fr. Mike’s Reflection & Commentary

The Mystery of Suffering (20:30–24:00)

• On Suffering, Sin, and Wisdom

  • Fr. Mike underscores that suffering is sometimes a consequence of personal or others’ sins, but not always; sometimes suffering leads to repentance or greater wisdom.

  • He stresses the importance of not defaulting to easy answers (platitudes) in the face of others’ suffering.

    "The things we believe almost always have an element of truth to them. That’s one of the reasons why they’re so convincing. They’re not fully true, but they’re partially true."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz (21:25)

  • Job’s friends’ best act was simply being present in silence during his suffering. Often, staying with someone in pain means more than forcing explanations.

    "The best thing that Job's friends did for him was when he was in the depths of his suffering. They just sat with him for seven days and didn't say a word. That was the best thing they could have done."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz (22:30)

• Caution Against Offering Platitudes

  • Sometimes we want to “solve” grief or pain, when what’s actually needed is presence and prayer, not explanations.

    "Sometimes there is no answer. Sometimes the answer is something we cannot offer. Sometimes the answer is something that can only come from God Himself."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz (23:00)

Community and Ongoing Prayer (24:00–end)

• Fr. Mike calls listeners to pray for one another and stay connected as a spiritual community, affirming everyone's shared struggles.

  "Every one of us is in the fight for our lives... let’s hold each other up in prayer."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (24:45)

Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------------|-------| | 07:45 | Jacob (Genesis) | "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me, although you have felt all through my goods?" | | 12:00 | Jacob (Genesis) | "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercy and all the faithfulness which you have shown to your servant." | | 15:50 | Jacob (Genesis) | "I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." | | 17:45 | Job | "How then will you comfort me? With empty nothings. There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood." | | 19:45 | Eliphaz (Job) | "If you return to the Almighty and humble yourself... then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God." | | 21:25 | Fr. Mike Schmitz | "The things we believe almost always have an element of truth to them. That’s one of the reasons why they’re so convincing. They’re not fully true, but they’re partially true." | | 22:30 | Fr. Mike Schmitz | "The best thing that Job's friends did for him was... They just sat with him for seven days and didn't say a word. That was the best thing they could have done." | | 23:00 | Fr. Mike Schmitz | "Sometimes there is no answer. Sometimes the answer is something we cannot offer. Sometimes the answer is something that can only come from God Himself." | | 24:45 | Fr. Mike Schmitz | "Every one of us is in the fight for our lives... let’s hold each other up in prayer." |

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40–10:30: Genesis 31, Jacob and Laban’s conflict and covenant
• 10:30–16:00: Genesis 32, Jacob preps for Esau, wrestles with God
• 16:00–20:00: Job’s lament and Eliphaz’s response
• 20:00–20:25: Proverbs on honoring God and embracing discipline
• 20:30–24:00: Fr. Mike’s reflection on suffering and the limits of advice
• 24:00–end: Call to prayer and community

Episode Takeaways

• Suffering isn’t always a direct consequence of sin; sometimes, its purpose is a deeper mystery.
• Quick answers and platitudes can be harmful; presence and compassion are often the best comfort.
• God's discipline is an act of love; faithfulness involves trust, especially when understanding is absent.
• Scripture gives us both stories and wisdom to lean on during our personal journeys.
• Prayer and community are crucial for spiritual endurance.

Rich in scriptural teaching and heartfelt in pastoral guidance, this episode reminds listeners to sit with the mystery of suffering, offer presence over platitudes, and lift one another in prayer—affirming that faith is lived best together, especially amid life’s hardest questions.