Episode Summary: Day 178: Called Back (2025)

Podcast: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Ascension
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Duration: 20-25 minutes
Scripture Readings:

• 2 Kings 10
• Amos 1-3
• Psalm 110

1. Exploring Jehu’s Reign in 2 Kings 10

In today’s episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into 2 Kings Chapter 10, focusing on the tumultuous reign of Jehu, a pivotal yet complex figure in Israel's history.

Key Events Covered:

• Jehu’s Ascension and Purge of Ahab’s Lineage:
  Jehu is anointed king and swiftly eliminates Ahab's 70 sons, securing his position and preventing any potential rivals from challenging his authority.
  Quote:

  "Jehu kills all of Ahab's descendants to eliminate any threat to his rule." ([05:30])

• Destruction of Baal Worshippers:
  While Jehu ruthlessly eradicates the worshipers of Baal, presenting himself as their greatest admirer to lure them into a trap, he fails to fully restore true worship to Yahweh.
  Quote:

  "Jehu wiped out BAAL from Israel, but he did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam..." ([12:45])

Insights: Fr. Mike emphasizes that Jehu's actions, though partly aligning with God's will by removing Baal worship, were incomplete. His failure to dismantle the golden calves in Bethel and Dan meant that true worship was never fully reinstated. This half-hearted obedience categorizes Jehu among the "bad kings" despite his significant actions against idolatry.

2. Prophetic Judgment in Amos 1-3

Transitioning to Amos Chapters 1 through 3, Fr. Mike explores the powerful messages of judgment directed not only at Israel but also at surrounding nations.

Key Themes:

• Universal Judgment:
  Amos extends his prophetic condemnation beyond Israel to nations like Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, and Moab, highlighting their specific transgressions against God’s people and each other.
  Quote:

  "Thus says the Lord God, the God of hosts, that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel..." ([18:20])

• Social Injustice and Moral Decay:
  A significant focus is placed on Israel’s internal failings—oppression of the poor, corruption, and abandonment of righteousness.
  Quote:

  "They sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes..." ([22:15])

• Inevitability of Divine Judgment:
  Amos articulates that God’s judgment is a direct response to accumulated sins, encapsulated in the repeated phrase "for three transgressions and for four." This signifies relentless sin leading to inevitable punishment.
  Quote:

  “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four I will not revoke the punishment...” ([16:05])

Insights: Fr. Mike underscores Amos’s role in reminding Israel of their covenant with God, stressing that continuous disobedience and injustice will lead to divine wrath. The prophet calls for genuine repentance and a return to faithful living, emphasizing that outward religious observances without inward righteousness are insufficient.

3. Messianic Hope in Psalm 110

Concluding with Psalm 110, Fr. Mike highlights the messianic prophecies that interweave priestly and kingly roles, pointing towards ultimate redemption and victory.

Key Points:

• Assurance of Divine Victory:
  The Psalm speaks of a "priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek," indicating a figure who embodies both spiritual and temporal authority.
  Quote:

  "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." ([25:10])

• Messianic Expectations:
  The imagery of the Lord shattering kings and executing judgment among nations reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty and the anticipated triumph of God's chosen leader.
  Quote:

  "He will shatter kings on the day of his wrath." ([28:15])

Insights: Fr. Mike connects the Psalm to the broader narrative of salvation history, illustrating how these prophecies find fulfillment in the life and mission of Jesus Christ. The dual role of priest and king in the Messianic figure encapsulates the holistic redemption offered through Christ.

4. Reflections and Personal Application

Throughout the episode, Fr. Mike encourages listeners to introspect on their own lives in light of the scriptures:

• Jehu’s Partial Obedience:
  Reflecting on Jehu's actions, believers are reminded of the importance of wholehearted obedience to God's commands, beyond merely removing sin without reinstating true righteousness.

• Amos’s Call for Social Justice:
  The prophet's emphasis on justice and care for the oppressed challenges listeners to examine their own practices and societal contributions, advocating for a faith that actively pursues equity and compassion.

• Embracing Messianic Hope:
  The fulfillment of Psalm 110 in Christ serves as a beacon of hope, urging believers to live in anticipation of God's ultimate victory and to embody the priestly and kingly virtues in their daily lives.

Quote:

"Now is the time to turn back to him and to let him once again make me right, once again, to make me whole and to make us whole." ([40:50])

5. Guided Prayer and Conclusion

The episode concludes with a heartfelt guided prayer, where Fr. Mike implores for God’s assistance in truly hearing and embodying the scriptures. He emphasizes the necessity of repentance, wholehearted love, and communal support in living out one's faith.

Prayer Excerpt:

"Lord God, help us to repent to you before it's too late. Help us to turn to you with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength." ([47:30])

Fr. Mike wraps up by reaffirming the call to action for listeners to reflect on their faith journeys, fostering a deeper understanding and integration of Scripture into their daily lives.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Jehu kills all of Ahab's descendants to eliminate any threat to his rule." [05:30]
• "Jehu wiped out BAAL from Israel, but he did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam..." [12:45]
• "Thus says the Lord God, the God of hosts, that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel..." [18:20]
• "They sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes..." [22:15]
• “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four I will not revoke the punishment...” [16:05]
• "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." [25:10]
• "He will shatter kings on the day of his wrath." [28:15]
• "Now is the time to turn back to him and to let him once again make me right, once again, to make me whole and to make us whole." [40:50]
• "Lord God, help us to repent to you before it's too late. Help us to turn to you with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength." [47:30]

Conclusion

In Day 178: Called Back, Fr. Mike Schmitz masterfully intertwines historical narratives with prophetic warnings and messianic hopes, urging listeners to not only read but deeply understand and apply the biblical teachings. Through the examination of Jehu’s flawed obedience, Amos’s uncompromising call for justice, and the prophetic assurance of Psalm 110, the episode invites believers to a transformative journey of faith, repentance, and active living through the divine lens of Scripture.

Stay tuned for the next episode, where we continue our journey through the Bible, gaining deeper insights and understanding how each part of the sacred texts connects to our lives today.