Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 212: God's Instrument

Episode Information

• Title: Day 212: God's Instrument
• Release Date: July 31, 2025
• Duration: 20-25 minutes
• Scripture Readings: Isaiah 45-46; Ezekiel 6-7; Proverbs 12:9-12
• Bible Translation: Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition
• Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Introduction

In Day 212 of The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the profound themes of divine orchestration and the perils of idolatry as presented in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Proverbs. Using Jeff Cavins' The Great Adventure Bible Timeline as a guide, Fr. Mike unpacks how God's sovereignty operates through both faithful and unfaithful instruments, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's active role in salvation history.

Scripture Readings and Reflections

Isaiah 45-46: Cyrus – God's Unexpected Instrument

Key Passage: Isaiah 45:1
Quote: "Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him... [00:07]*"
Fr. Mike begins with Isaiah 45, highlighting God's surprising choice of Cyrus, a Persian king who did not know God, as His instrument to liberate the Israelites from Babylonian exile. This demonstrates God's ability to work through unlikely individuals to fulfill His divine purposes.

Discussion Points:

• Divine Sovereignty: Despite Cyrus's paganism, God’s plan prevails as He uses Cyrus to achieve His goals, illustrating that "all things belong to God" (Isaiah 45:9).
• Idolatry Warning: Fr. Mike emphasizes the recurring theme of idolatry in Isaiah, where human-made idols are critiqued for their impotence compared to the living God.
• Application: Believers are encouraged to recognize God’s hand in unexpected places and to resist the temptation of idolizing creation instead of the Creator.

Notable Quote:
"God can use all that everything in the world belongs to God, even if people don't know it." [15:30]

Ezekiel 6-7: Judgment Against Idolatrous Israel

Key Passage: Ezekiel 6:4
Quote: "Your cities shall be waste and your high places ruined... [18:45]*"
Ezekiel’s prophecies serve as a stern warning against the rampant idolatry among the Israelites, predicting destruction as divine judgment for their unfaithfulness.

Discussion Points:

• Consequences of Idolatry: Fr. Mike explains how Ezekiel outlines the specific punishments—sword, famine, pestilence, and dispersion—that Israel will face for abandoning God.
• Purpose of Judgment: The ultimate goal of these hardships is to lead the Israelites back to recognizing and acknowledging the sovereignty of the Lord.
• Ezekiel’s Role: Despite being in exile, Ezekiel continues his priestly duties by bearing the sins of the people, paralleling Christ's atoning sacrifice.

Notable Quote:
"After everything that happens, they will know that I am the Lord." [25:10]

Proverbs 12:9-12: The Wisdom of Righteousness

Key Passage: Proverbs 12:10
Quote: "A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel." [30:20]*
In Proverbs, the focus shifts to practical wisdom, contrasting the behaviors of the righteous and the wicked.

Discussion Points:

• Righteousness vs. Wickedness: Fr. Mike breaks down Proverbs' teachings on how righteous individuals sustainably manage their lives and relationships, while the wicked engage in senseless pursuits.
• Application to Daily Life: Emphasizing that true wisdom lies in self-sufficiency and moral integrity rather than in hollow displays of greatness or material wealth.

Notable Quote:
"The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin, but the root of the righteous stands firm." [32:15]

In-Depth Reflections and Insights

God’s Use of Non-Believers as Instruments

Fr. Mike marvels at how God chose Cyrus, a non-believer, to fulfill His divine plan. This underscores a key biblical truth: God's methods often defy human expectations, and He can use anyone, regardless of their faith background, to advance His purposes. Fr. Mike states:

"God writes this story with crooked lines. He even says, Cyrus is his anointed... God can use all that everything in the world belongs to God, even if people don't know it." [15:25]

The Folly of Idolatry

Using Isaiah 44 as a reference, Fr. Mike discusses the absurdity of idol worship:

"Isn't it ridiculous? The same wood used to cook your meals is now carved into a god. This is complete foolishness." [20:05]

He warns against both creating false idols and treating the true God as an object of manipulation or control, highlighting how idolatry distorts our relationship with the divine.

Ezekiel’s Vision of Judgment and Restoration

Fr. Mike delves into Ezekiel’s depiction of imminent doom as a catalyst for recognition of God's lordship:

"These sufferings—sword, famine, pestilence—aren't signs of God abandoning you, but rather of Him urging you to realize He is the Lord and desires your return." [25:50]

He draws a parallel between Ezekiel's priestly role and Christ's, emphasizing the theme of bearing the community's sins and guiding them back to God despite personal and collective failures.

Living as Modern Priests, Prophets, and Kings/Queens

Fr. Mike encourages listeners to embody their baptismal callings as priestly, prophetic, and royal figures in their daily lives:

"Even if we can't serve in traditional roles, we can fulfill our call to be priest, prophet, and king or queen in our everyday actions." [35:40]

This empowerment underscores the podcast’s overarching message of understanding and living out one's role within God's grand narrative.

Application and Takeaways

• Recognizing God’s Bureaucracy: Understanding that God’s plans may involve unexpected instruments encourages trust in His greater wisdom.

• Rejecting Idolatry: Both the creation of false idols and the trivialization of true worship are cautioned against, urging believers to maintain purity in their devotion.

• Embracing Divine Discipline: The hardships depicted in Ezekiel’s prophecies serve as opportunities for spiritual renewal and deeper reliance on God.

• Fulfilling Divine Roles: Listeners are motivated to actively live out their spiritual identities, impacting the world as modern-day priests, prophets, and rulers in their spheres.

Notable Reflection:
"These are the kind of extremes of idolatry we must guard against: making false gods or treating the true God like a toy. It's essential to keep our worship pure and sincere." [22:20]

Closing Prayer

Fr. Mike concludes with a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for His word and faithfulness, and seeking divine assistance to remain obedient and attuned to God's voice:

"Lord God, I am so grateful for you and your love and your faithfulness... Help us to hear your commands and say yes to you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen." [40:00]

Final Thoughts

Day 212’s episode intricately weaves the themes of divine sovereignty, the dangers of idolatry, and the enduring call to live out one's faith authentically. Fr. Mike Schmitz effectively bridges ancient prophetic messages with contemporary spiritual applications, offering listeners both deep theological insights and practical guidance for integrating Scripture into daily life.

Listeners are left with a reinforced understanding of how every part of the Bible contributes to the overarching story of salvation and are encouraged to reflect on their personal roles within this divine narrative.

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