The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode: Day 243 – The Lord's Plans (2025)
Date: August 31, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike leads listeners through readings from Jeremiah 28–29, Daniel 10–11, and Proverbs 16:13–16. He reflects on themes of prophecy, exile, endurance, and the steadfast plans of God—even in times of suffering and uncertainty. Fr. Mike emphasizes God’s faithfulness, the meaning of living in exile, the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and the power and context of hope-filled promises like Jeremiah 29:11.

Key Discussion Points

1. Jeremiah 28: Hananiah's False Prophecy and the Yoke (17:58)

• Hananiah's Message: Hananiah falsely prophesies that Babylon’s dominance will end in two years and all the exiles and temple vessels will be restored.
• Jeremiah’s Response: Jeremiah initially wishes Hananiah's words were true:
  “Amen. That’d be awesome if that happened. It’s not going to happen.” (18:55)
• The Symbolic Yoke: Jeremiah has worn a wooden yoke to demonstrate God’s intent for Judah to submit to Babylonian rule—a “wooden yoke of mercy” meant to draw the people back to God.
• The Iron Yoke: After Hananiah publicly breaks Jeremiah’s yoke, God declares through Jeremiah:

  “You have broken wooden bars, but I will make in their place bars of iron.” (19:50) Fr. Mike explains:
  "If we don't submit to that yoke, God often allows us to experience the consequences...The wooden yoke is a mercy of God...the iron yoke is the punishment.” (21:30)

• Hananiah’s Fate: As prophesied, Hananiah dies within two months (22:18).

2. Jeremiah 29: Letters to the Exiles – Hope in Exile (22:45)

• Historical Context: Two waves of exiles (including Daniel’s) are now in Babylon. Jeremiah writes to instruct them on living faithfully in exile.
• How to Live in Exile: Jeremiah tells them to build homes, plant gardens, marry, and seek the welfare of Babylon, not just plot rebellion or assimilate entirely—because exile will last 70 years.
• Living with Hope:
  Fr. Mike remarks,
  “Live as exiles, but live as exiles knowing you’re going home… a long time, but not forever.” (25:05)
• Pray for the Welfare of the City:
  “Continue to pray for those who are in charge of you. And that’s just so remarkable.” (25:57)

Notable Quote – The Promise of Jeremiah 29:11 (27:07)

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

• Fr. Mike emphasizes the reality of this promise spoken in devastation to a people experiencing desolation, not as a nice greeting card, but as a lifeline.
• On context: “Don’t start thinking you can’t apply it to your life… God has that word for you right now. God has a plan for your welfare, not for your woe.” (28:50)

The Consequences for False Prophets (30:08)

• Three more false prophets are punished, including two who are executed and one exiled from the community:
  “We gotta be faithful... God is also a God of justice, not just a God of mercy.” (31:00)

3. Daniel 10: The Vision and Spiritual Warfare (31:35)

• Daniel’s Fast: Daniel fasts and mourns for three weeks, seeking understanding during a time of great distress for his people.
• The Angelic Visitor: Daniel’s prayers are heard immediately, but a spiritual battle (“the prince of Persia”) delays the angel’s arrival until Michael the Archangel intervenes.
• Key Insight:
  “There are many, many times when we are praying and it seems like nothing’s happening…From the moment you began to pray, God heard your voice.” (32:55)
• Unseen Reality: Fr. Mike reminds listeners,
  “There’s more going on than just what we can see.” (34:00)

4. Daniel 11: Prophecy Fulfilled in Detail (34:30)

• Historical Accuracy: Daniel’s prophecy covers events from Alexander the Great’s conquest, the division of his empire among four generals, and the rivalry between the Seleucids (north) and Ptolemies (south).
• Remarkable Fulfillment:
  “Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 11 has been completely fulfilled—and in detail...So precise that people who don’t believe in biblical prophecy say it must’ve been written after the fact.” (35:33)
• The Abomination of Desolation: The reign of Antiochus Epiphanes and desecration of the Temple are prefigured here and will be explored further in Maccabees.
• Enduring Faithfulness:

  “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant. But the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”
  (Daniel 11:32–33) “Those who know their God shall stand firm and take action. There is trouble, there’s tribulation, and yet there’s so much grace and blessing.” (37:22)

5. Proverbs 16:13–16 – Wisdom and Righteousness (38:10)

• Righteousness is valued by kings, wisdom is better than gold, and understanding more precious than silver.
  “To get wisdom is better than gold. To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Submitting to God's “Yoke”:

  “If we don't submit to that yoke, God often allows us to experience the consequences... the wooden yoke is a mercy of God... the iron yoke is the punishment.”
  (Fr. Mike, 21:30)

• On Hope in Exile:

  “Live as exiles, but live as exiles knowing you’re going home… a long time, but not forever.”
  (Fr. Mike, 25:05)

• On the Context of Jeremiah 29:11:

  “Don’t start thinking you can’t apply it to your life… God has that word for you right now. God has a plan for your welfare, not for your woe.”
  (Fr. Mike, 28:50)

• On Spiritual Struggle and Prayer:

  “From the moment you began to pray, God heard your voice... There's more going on than just what we can see.”
  (Fr. Mike, 32:55 & 34:00)

• On Prophetic Fulfillment:

  “Daniel’s prophecy in chapter 11 has been completely fulfilled—and in detail.”
  (Fr. Mike, 35:33)

• On Enduring in Faith:

  “The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”
  (Daniel 11:32, highlighted by Fr. Mike at 37:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jeremiah 28 – Hananiah's False Prophecy and Yoke Explanation: 17:58–22:18
• Jeremiah 29 – Instructions for Life in Exile and the Promise of Hope: 22:45–31:00
• Daniel 10 – Daniel's Fasting and the Delayed Angelic Messenger: 31:35–34:30
• Daniel 11 – Prophecy, Fulfillment, and Persevering Faith: 34:30–37:50
• Proverbs 16:13–16 – Reflections on Wisdom and Righteousness: 38:10

Summary

Fr. Mike unpacks rich scripture passages dealing with false prophecy, faithful endurance in exile, the reality of spiritual warfare, and the breathtaking specificity of biblical prophecy. He encourages listeners to hold on to the context and hope of God’s promises, to recognize the mercy behind God’s commands, to stand firm in difficult times, and to trust that God’s plans—even when inscrutable—always hold a future full of hope.

“Those who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” (Daniel 11:32, 37:22)
“God has a plan for your welfare, not for your woe.” (28:50)

Fr. Mike ends with heartfelt encouragement to remain steadfast, pray for one another, and stay tuned for tomorrow’s (shorter!) episode.