Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Episode: Day 183: Israel Falls to Assyria (2025) Release Date: July 2, 2025

Introduction

In Day 183 of "The Bible in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz and his co-host delve into pivotal chapters of the Old Testament, focusing on the historical fall of Israel to Assyria, prophetic insights from Micah, and a heartfelt prayer from Psalm 140. Marking the halfway point of the year-long journey through the Bible, this episode not only recounts significant historical events but also draws profound spiritual lessons relevant to contemporary life.

Halfway Milestone

Fr. Mike begins the episode by acknowledging the congregation of listeners at the midpoint of their biblical journey. He humorously grapples with the math of reaching day 183 out of 365, ultimately celebrating the achievement of halfway through the Bible reading plan.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [00:35]: "So this is halfway. So today is halfway. And if you celebrated yesterday, wow, I've made it halfway. You can celebrate again today because it's the maybe real halfway."

Biblical Readings

2 Kings 17: The Fall of Israel

The primary focus of the episode is 2 Kings 17, which narrates the decline and eventual fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrian empire. Fr. Mike provides a detailed recounting of the chapter, highlighting the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, whose disobedience and idolatry invited Assyrian aggression.

• Hoshea's Reign and Downfall:

  • Hoshea reigns for nine years but "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kings 17:3).
  • His attempt to rebel against Assyria by allying with Egypt leads to his imprisonment and the subsequent Assyrian siege of Samaria (2 Kings 17:5-6).

• Assyrian Exile and Resettlement:

  • In the ninth year, Assyria captures Samaria, deporting the Israelites to various regions like Halah and the Habor River (2 Kings 17:6).
  • Assyrians replace them with people from Babylon, Kutha, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, leading to the emergence of the Samaritans (2 Kings 17:24-25).

• Reasons for Israel's Exile:

  • Persistent idolatry and departure from God's commandments caused the Lord's anger, resulting in the nation's downfall (2 Kings 17:7-23).

Fr. Mike emphasizes the irrevocable loss of the ten northern tribes, contrasting it with the southern kingdom of Judah, which, despite its own shortcomings, remains for a time.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [19:32]: "Now, the northern tribes will never, ever come back. They'll never be the same... But Judah and Benjamin in the south are going to be around for a bit more, and then they're going to be exiled as well."

Micah 5-6-7: Prophetic Insights

Transitioning to the Book of Micah, Fr. Mike explores chapters 5 through 7, unpacking profound prophecies and moral imperatives.

• Micah 5: A Messianic Prophecy:

  • Foretells the birth of a ruler from Bethlehem, a prophecy believed by Christians to point to Jesus Christ (Micah 5:2).

• Micah 6: What the Lord Requires:

  • Challenges the Israelites by questioning the value of their sacrifices compared to genuine righteousness.
  • Key Verse:

    "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

• Micah 7: A Vision of Restoration:

  • Paints a picture of hope amidst despair, assuring God's compassion and the eventual defeat of oppressors.

Fr. Mike reflects on the relevance of these chapters, urging listeners to embody justice, kindness, and humility in their lives.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [27:15]: "But here it is to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. Let's pray that we can be men and women who do that."

Psalm 140: Prayer for Deliverance

Concluding the readings, Psalm 140 is presented as a prayer for protection against deceitful and harmful foes. Presented as a psalm of David, it captures the anguish of facing both physical and spiritual adversaries.

• Key Themes:
  • Seeking God's protection from violent and deceitful enemies (Psalm 140:1-3).
  • Affirming trust in God's deliverance (Psalm 140:4-5).
  • Praying for the judgment of the wicked and the vindication of the righteous (Psalm 140:6-7).

Fr. Mike Schmitz [17:41]: "The psalmist here is David, who is just praying, praying to you for help. Because yes, it's true that we face the snares of our enemies."

Reflections and Spiritual Insights

Fr. Mike and his co-host delve into the deeper spiritual meanings behind the historical events and scriptures read.

Jewish and Samaritan Relations

They discuss the historical tensions between Jews and Samaritans, tracing back to the Assyrian exile and the subsequent blending of nations and religions. This historical backdrop sets the stage for New Testament narratives, such as the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [22:26]: "This is the key to be able to understand this tension between Jews and Samaritans..."

Spiritual Warfare

Drawing from the prayer in Psalm 140, Fr. Mike emphasizes the concept of spiritual warfare, highlighting that true enemies are not just human adversaries but also spiritual forces of evil.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [18:01]: "But just like St. Paul said, the real enemies we face are not flesh and blood, but principalities and powers. The evil spirits that the Satan that rolls around the world seeking the ruin of souls."

He encourages listeners to remain vigilant, wise, and courageous, relying on God's strength to navigate and overcome life's challenges.

Micah's Moral Imperatives

Reiterating Micah 6:8, Fr. Mike stresses the importance of embodying justice, kindness, and humility. He challenges listeners to move beyond mere rituals and sacrifices, advocating for genuine righteousness in daily actions.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [27:05]: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."

Conclusion and Prayer

The episode wraps up with Fr. Mike and his co-host jointly offering a prayer inspired by Psalm 140, seeking God's protection from enemies and affirmation of His justice for the afflicted.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [19:04]: "Help us always to be courageous, to be wise, and to be yours in all things. In Jesus' name we pray."

Fr. Mike concludes by expressing gratitude for the scriptural insights and encouraging listeners to continue their spiritual journey with renewed commitment.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Halfway Acknowledgment:

  "So this is halfway. So today is halfway." ([00:35])

• Psalm 140 Reflection:

  "The psalmist here is David, who is just praying, praying to you for help." ([17:41])

• Spiritual Warfare Insight:

  "The real enemies we face are not flesh and blood, but principalities and powers." ([18:01])

• Micah's Mandate:

  "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." ([26:52])

Final Thoughts

Day 183 serves as a pivotal midpoint in the "Bible in a Year" journey, intertwining historical events with timeless spiritual lessons. Fr. Mike Schmitz masterfully bridges Old Testament narratives with New Testament applications, offering listeners both knowledge and inspiration to live out their faith authentically. As the podcast progresses towards the conclusion, the themes of redemption, divine justice, and personal righteousness continue to resonate, encouraging a deeper understanding of how the Bible's grand narrative unfolds in the believer's life today.