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

Episode: Day 25 – Job's Questioning (2026)
Date: January 25, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz continues guiding listeners through the chronological journey of the Bible, focusing on Genesis 47–48, Job 39–40, and Psalm 16. The major theme centers on Job’s questioning of God amid suffering, the unfolding of Joseph’s family in Egypt, and the psalmist’s declaration of trust in God. Fr. Mike addresses the age-old question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”—examining the profound dialogue between God and Job and what it means for believers enduring suffering.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Genesis 47–48: Joseph, Jacob, and Blessing of the Sons

• Joseph's Family Settles in Egypt ([01:00–04:00])
  • Joseph brings his father Jacob and brothers to Pharaoh, who grants them the land of Goshen (“the best of the land”).
  • Notably, the Egyptians, suffering through a severe famine, exchange their possessions—and eventually themselves—for food, resulting in servitude to Pharaoh.
• Jacob’s Blessing and Legacy ([04:00–09:00])
  • Jacob (Israel), nearing death, extracts a promise from Joseph not to bury him in Egypt but in the land of his ancestors.
  • Jacob adopts Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, crossing his hands to give the primary blessing to the younger Ephraim—a reversal of expectations.
  • Quote (Jacob): “I had not thought to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your children also.” ([08:45])

2. Job 39–40: God's Response to Job's Questioning

• God Challenges Job ([09:30–13:00])
  • God responds not with direct answers, but with a barrage of questions highlighting Job’s limited understanding of creation and the divine order (“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?”).
  • God introduces the mysterious “behemoth” as an example of untamed majesty and power—creatures and purposes beyond Job’s grasp.
• Job’s Humble Response ([13:00–14:00])
  • Job recognizes his smallness, answering: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.”
• God’s Continued Challenge ([14:00–15:30])
  • God presses further, questioning whether Job would “condemn [God] to justify [himself],” pressing the need for humility and recognition of God’s ultimate authority.

3. Psalm 16: Trust and Security in God ([15:30–16:30])

• The Psalmist declares unwavering trust, finding all goodness in God alone:
  “Preserve me, God, for in you I take refuge… The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.”
• The psalm ends with the assurance of joy and eternal pleasure in God’s presence.

4. Fr. Mike’s Reflection: The Meaning of Suffering ([16:30–21:00])

• Job’s Innocent Suffering
  • Even God attests to Job’s righteousness; his suffering is not a punishment.
  • Friends’ reasoning—that suffering always equals punishment—is shown as incomplete and sometimes misleading.
• God’s Perspective vs. Human Perspective
  • God’s questioning is not to silence Job, but to “put him in context”—to show the limits of human understanding.
  • Only God sees the whole picture; our suffering fits into a larger, sometimes hidden, narrative.
• Types of Suffering and Its Purposes
  • Suffering sometimes calls to repentance, sometimes teaches wisdom, sometimes shapes us into more compassionate people.
  • Key Insight: Suffering can also be redemptive, united with Christ’s suffering for the good of others and the world.
• Memorable Quote (Fr. Mike, 18:15):
  “Even if you can't understand the meaning of this moment, this moment has meaning.”
• The Cross and the Christian Life
  • The mystery of the Cross: our own suffering can have salvific value when united to Jesus.
  • The Old Testament hints at truths fulfilled in Christ—“the New Testament is hidden in the Old; the Old is revealed in the New.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Why do bad things happen to good people? Job is clearly a good person. The Bible even says so. God himself says so. So why do bad things happen to Job?” — Fr. Mike Schmitz ([16:50])
• “God, when he's questioning Job, it sounds like he's being kind of sarcastic, sounds like he's being kind of snarky and putting Job in his place. But really what's happening is... he is putting Job in his place, but in the way that only God can do.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz ([19:40])
• “All of us need people around us who are patient. All of us need to learn wisdom. All of us need to repent. And all of us need to be reminded that God knows the full story even when we cannot possibly see the full story.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz ([20:45])
• Psalm 16:
  “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ([16:25])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Genesis Reading – [01:00–09:00]
• Job Reading – [09:00–15:30]
• Psalm 16 Recitation – [15:30–16:30]
• Fr. Mike’s Reflection on Suffering – [16:30–21:00]
• Closing Blessing & Encouragement – [21:00–22:30]

Final Thoughts

Fr. Mike’s commentary lovingly invites listeners to wrestle with God like Job, to embrace the questions without losing faith, and to trust that God’s wisdom and love transcend our understanding. The call is to seek trust and patience, especially under suffering, and to see that—through Christ—pain and struggle take on new, redemptive meaning. The journey through Scripture is not just about knowledge, but about transformation and trust in the God who holds the full story.

“Let’s continue to pray for each other—because it is easy to talk about the cross. It is not easy to carry your cross. I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz ([21:50])