Episode Overview

Podcast: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 22: Go to Joseph (2026)
Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

This episode explores Joseph’s pivotal rise to power in Egypt, and his crucial role as a provider during famine, as described in Genesis 41-42. It also features Elihu’s speech to Job, continuing the theme of human suffering and God’s justice (Job 33-34), and imparts a father’s advice on wisdom in Proverbs 4:1-9. Fr. Mike reflects on the meaning of “Go to Joseph” as it echoes through both the Old and New Testaments, drawing a spiritual link between Joseph of Egypt and St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genesis 41-42: Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream and Rises to Power

• Pharaoh’s Dreams:
  • Pharaoh dreams twice: first, of seven fat cows eaten by seven gaunt cows; second, of seven full ears of grain swallowed up by seven thin ones. Troubled, Pharaoh seeks interpreters.
  • The chief butler remembers Joseph’s gift of dream interpretation from their time in prison.
• Joseph's Interpretation:
  • Joseph is brought from prison; credits God for the gift of interpretation:
    “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” (Joseph, 06:00)
  • Joseph explains both dreams reveal seven years of plenty followed by seven years of severe famine.
  • He advises Pharaoh to appoint a wise man to oversee storage during the years of plenty.
• Joseph’s Elevation:
  • Pharaoh recognizes Joseph's wisdom and the presence of God’s Spirit in him:
    “Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the spirit of God?” (Pharaoh, 13:00)
  • Joseph is made second-in-command, given Pharaoh’s signet ring, fine clothes, a gold chain, and a new Egyptian name: Zaphenath-paneah.
  • Joseph stores massive quantities of food during the years of plenty.
• Personal Milestones:
  • Joseph marries Asenath and has two sons:
    • Manasseh: “God has made me forget all my hardship.”
    • Ephraim: “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (18:00)
• The Famine Begins:
  • As famine spreads, Egyptians and surrounding nations come to Joseph for grain.
  • Jacob (Joseph's father) sends ten sons to Egypt for food, keeping Benjamin at home out of fear.
• Joseph’s Brothers in Egypt:
  • Joseph recognizes his brothers; they do not recognize him.
  • He accuses them of being spies, imprisons them, then tests them by demanding they return with Benjamin.
  • Amid distress, the brothers reflect on their guilt towards Joseph:
    “In truth, we are guilty concerning our brother… therefore this distress has come upon us.” (Reuben, 23:00)
  • Joseph, overhearing this, is moved to tears.
  • Simeon is held hostage; the others return to Canaan with grain and, mysteriously, their payment returned.

2. Job 33-34: Elihu Addresses Job

• Elihu Introduces His Perspective:
  • Asserts his equality of humanity with Job (“formed from a piece of clay”) and invites dialogue (30:30).
• Affirmation of God’s Justice:
  • Elihu challenges Job’s sense of injustice:
    “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer: God is greater than man.” (Elihu, 31:00)
  • Explains that God communicates through dreams, visions, suffering, and mediators—even if humans don't always perceive it.
• Purpose of Suffering:
  • Suffering serves as correction and a means to prevent further sin.
• God’s Unbiased Judgment:
  • God shows no partiality, whether rich or poor:
    “Far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.” (Elihu, 34:00)
• Response to Job's Claims:
  • Elihu frames Job’s self-vindication as misguided, calling him to humility before God’s wisdom and justice.

3. Proverbs 4:1-9: The Value of Wisdom

• A Father’s Counsel:
  • Emphasizes attentive listening and cherishing wisdom.
  • Most notable advice:
    “The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” (Proverbs, 48:00)
  • Wisdom is personified as a woman who, if loved and honored, will elevate and crown her seeker.

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Reflection: “Go to Joseph”

Understanding “Go to Joseph” (50:00)

• Fr. Mike reflects on Genesis’ phrase: “Go to Joseph” (Latin: Ite ad Joseph), a key refrain as Pharaoh points the starving world to Joseph for bread.
• Draws a spiritual parallel:
  • Old Testament Joseph, as keeper of physical bread during famine, prefigures St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life in the New Covenant.
  • “What do we do when we go to Our Lady? We go to Mary—she points us to Jesus.… In so many ways, the Lord God has given us this foster father—St. Joseph… to be the one we can go to.” (Fr. Mike, 51:30)
• Encourages devotion to St. Joseph, referencing Fr. Donald Calloway’s “Consecration to St. Joseph” as a powerful spiritual practice.
• Notes Joseph’s unwavering faithfulness:
  • “God was with him. But also Joseph fought for God to be with him.… Joseph had opportunities to rebel, opportunities to sin, but he fought to stay faithful to the Lord.” (Fr. Mike, 52:15)
• Applies Joseph’s example to our struggles:
  • “No matter what we’re going through today, we also are invited to do the same: to fight to be faithful, to go to Joseph and let him take us… through his intercession, to his foster child, but his Lord—our God, Jesus Christ.” (53:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joseph before Pharaoh:
  “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” (Joseph, 06:00)
• Pharaoh’s Recognition:
  “Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the spirit of God?” (Pharaoh, 13:00)
• Joseph’s son Manasseh explains:
  “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” (18:00)
• Joseph’s brothers reckon with their guilt:
  “In truth, we are guilty concerning our brother…” (Reuben, 23:00)
• Elihu’s challenge to Job:
  “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer: God is greater than man.” (Elihu, 31:00)
• Fatherly wisdom:
  “The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” (Proverbs, 48:00)
• Fr. Mike’s summative encouragement:
  “We can have a devotion to St. Joseph.… What we do is go to Joseph and let him take us… to his foster child, but his Lord—our God, Jesus Christ.” (Fr. Mike, 53:10)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–06:00 – Introduction, reading setup (skip; podcast logistics)
• 06:00–22:00 – Genesis 41–42: Joseph interprets dreams, rises to power, and encounters his brothers
• 30:30–45:00 – Job 33–34: Elihu’s speeches on God’s justice, suffering, and Job’s humility
• 48:00–49:00 – Proverbs 4:1–9: The pursuit of wisdom
• 50:00–54:00 – Fr. Mike’s reflection: “Go to Joseph” in the Old and New Testaments, spiritual application, encouragement for faithfulness

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike’s delivery is pastoral, upbeat, encouraging. He draws scripture into daily life, highlighting God’s providence and the ongoing invitation to faithfulness, especially in suffering or uncertainty.

Summary

Day 22 of The Bible in a Year guides listeners through Joseph’s humble faith and rise as a provider amidst famine, connecting biblical history with enduring lessons on trust, wisdom, and spiritual fatherhood. Fr. Mike encourages listeners to “go to Joseph”—to seek his intercession and example—reminding us all to persevere faithfully and support each other in our scriptural journey.