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

Episode: Day 234: Jeremiah Complains
Date: August 22, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through Jeremiah chapters 12 and 13, Ezekiel chapters 41 and 42, and Proverbs 15:9–12. The overarching theme is Jeremiah’s raw honesty before God as he voices frustration over the prosperity of the wicked and the dire state of Israel. Fr. Mike explores themes of complaint, divine correction, the symbolism of the linen waistcloth, and the importance of a teachable heart (docility). The episode weaves scriptural reading, reflection, and prayer, emphasizing personal application and hope even amid judgment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah’s Complaint to God (Jeremiah 12)

• Jeremiah questions God about why the wicked prosper.
  • “Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you. Yet I would plead my case before you: Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” (Jer 12:1; [04:20])
• Jeremiah accuses the people of being outwardly religious but inwardly far from God.
  • “You are near in their mouth and far from their heart.” (Jer 12:2; [05:00])
• Jeremiah recognizes his own limitations in the face of profound corruption and impending judgment.

2. The Lord’s Poignant Response

• God acknowledges the coming consequences but also plants a seed of hope and restoration.
  • “Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them...I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage, and each to his land.” (Jer 12:14–15; [08:40])
• Even amid warnings, there is an assurance that God desires to show mercy and rebuild if there is repentance.

3. The Linen Waistcloth: Symbol of Israel’s Unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 13)

• God asks Jeremiah to perform a prophetic action with a linen waistcloth (underwear) to symbolize Israel’s closeness to God and subsequent corruption.
  • “For as the waistcloth clings to the loins of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and...Judah cling to me...But they would not listen.” (Jer 13:11; [13:30])
• Fr. Mike draws humor and depth from this vivid image:
  • “They have become, like, basically ruined underwear. I think that’s one of my favorite images of any of the prophets in the Bible. Maybe my sense of humor is at the fourth grade level, but it works.” (Fr. Mike, [14:20])
• Despite the unorthodox metaphor, the message is about wasted closeness with God due to pride and unrepented sin.

4. Call to Humility and Return

• The chapter closes with an urgent call: “Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness...” (Jer 13:15; [15:10])
• Fr. Mike applies this to listeners, encouraging soul-searching:
  • “Maybe that’s me right now... Is there any way, anywhere, any place in my life right now where God’s just saying, ‘Come back to me?’” (Fr. Mike, [16:20])

5. Vision of the New Temple (Ezekiel 41–42)

• Ezekiel describes an elaborate vision of a new temple, rich in measurements and symbols of holiness and separation.
• Fr. Mike connects Ezekiel’s vision with Jeremiah’s context:
  • Ezekiel writes after the temple’s destruction, while Jeremiah warns before it—both call for repentance and renewed fidelity.

6. The Value of Docility (Proverbs 15:9–12)

• Proverbs highlights the folly of refusing correction.
  • “A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.” (Prov 15:12; [24:40])
• Fr. Mike explores the true meaning of docility:
  • “Docility means the kind of person who can be taught... Even as a missionary, it was so clear to me how important it was to have a heart of docility. That’s the wise heart—the heart open to being taught.” (Fr. Mike, [24:50])
• He urges listeners to pray for this disposition and to be open to God’s correction as Jeremiah and Ezekiel urge.

7. Personal Application & Prayer

• Fr. Mike concludes with a heartfelt prayer and an invitation for listeners to reflect:
  • Where in our lives are we resisting God’s correction?
  • Where might God be inviting us to return to him?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Honest Dialogue with His People:
  “If you have raced with men on foot and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?” (Jer 12:5 read by Fr. Mike, [07:00])
  “We just recognize our severe limitation. That’s one of the things Jeremiah is highlighting... I can’t even compete with human beings, much less compete with the workings of God.” (Fr. Mike, [07:30])

• On Humility and Docility:
  “The wise heart is open to being taught. And as Proverbs says, the heart of the fool hates reproof, hates being taught, and hates being corrected.” (Fr. Mike, [25:10])

• On Repentance and God’s Fidelity:
  “Come back to the Lord while there’s still time.” (Fr. Mike, [15:50])

• On the Personal Nature of God’s Call:
  “That’s a great question I’m asking myself today as we listen to this Word of God—as we ask the Lord to convict our hearts and bring us home.” (Fr. Mike, [26:30])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:20] – Jeremiah’s complaint and questioning of God’s justice
• [07:00] – “How will you compete with horses?”: Jeremiah’s poetic humility
• [08:40] – God’s answer: Plucking up and hope for restoration
• [13:30] – Explanation of the linen waistcloth allegory
• [14:20] – Fr. Mike’s reflection on prophetic humor and meaning
• [15:10] – Urgent call to humility and returning to God
• [16:20] – Personal application: “Maybe that’s me right now”
• [24:40] – Proverbs on discipline and docility; Fr. Mike’s missionary anecdote
• [25:10] – Docility as a virtue for the wise heart
• [26:30] – Closing reflection and encouragement to listeners

Final Takeaway

Fr. Mike invites listeners to examine their own hearts in light of Jeremiah’s honest wrestling and God’s call to humility. The episode balances the warnings of judgment with the persistent possibility of hope and restoration, encouraging all to remain teachable and responsive to God’s voice—today and every day.