The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 274: Perseverance in Opposition

Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Readings: Nehemiah 4–5, Esther 11–12, Proverbs 20:27-30
Main Theme: Handling Opposition with Faith and Practical Wisdom

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz examines examples of perseverance in the face of opposition from the Book of Nehemiah, introduces the opening (deuterocanonical) chapters of Esther, and comments upon a passage from Proverbs. Fr. Mike emphasizes how doing the work of God inevitably attracts resistance and how true leaders—like Nehemiah—respond with a combination of prayer, trust, and practical action. He provides background on the unique structure of Esther in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles and draws lessons from scriptural leaders for fostering integrity, serving others, and placing trust in God while remaining practically prepared.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nehemiah: Overcoming Hostility Through Prayer and Action

• Context: The Jews rebuild Jerusalem’s wall under Nehemiah’s leadership, facing ridicule and active threats from hostile neighbors.
• Ridicule and Opposition:
  • Sanballat and Tobiah mock the Jews’ efforts, questioning their strength and resources.
  • Memorable moment: Tobiah's weak insult: “If a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” (Nehemiah 4)

    “I heard someone describe it as one of the weakest burns in the entire Bible … pretty weak, lame and pathetic slam.” — Fr. Mike (13:49)

• Escalation to Violence: Their enemies plot physical attacks.
• Nehemiah’s Dual Response:
  • Prayer and Practicality:

    “We prayed to our God and set a guard as protection against them day and night.” (Nehemiah 4:9)
    “He’s trusting fully in the strength of the Lord, but he also is being practical. He turns to the Lord in prayer and he sets a guard ... This is absolutely essential for every single one of us.” (16:38)

  • The people split duties: some build, others stand guard; builders even work with weapons in hand.
  • Nehemiah instructs all to stay vigilant, prepared to defend at the sound of a trumpet.
  • Lesson: Missions initiated by God will still encounter resistance, but faith and prudence go hand in hand.

2. Nehemiah’s Integrity: Servant Leadership

• Internal Injustice: Nehemiah faces a crisis among the people—some, due to famine and taxes, are mortgaging land and even selling children into slavery.
• Confrontation of Wrongdoing:
  • Nehemiah rebukes the nobles and officials for exploiting their kin.

    “You are exacting interest each from his brother.” (Nehemiah 5) “Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God, to prevent the taunts of the nations?” (Nehemiah 5)

• Model Leadership:
  • Nehemiah refuses the governor’s customary food allowance and privileges, lightening the people’s burdens.

    “I'm not going to use any of that. I'm not going to tax the people … They don't exist to serve me. I'm only here to serve the Lord.” (19:38)

• Comparison to Other Leaders:
  • Contrasted with Solomon’s oppressive regime and Rehoboam’s folly.
  • Key insight: Nehemiah is “consistently generous, consistently on mission, consistently turning back to the Lord and doing the practical thing.” (22:10)

3. Book of Esther: Canonical Nuances and Mordecai’s Dream

• Catholic and Orthodox Bibles contain additional chapters (the “deuterocanonical” sections) not found in all Protestant versions.
  • Background:

    “The Book of Esther is complicated ... there are a number of chapters ... not necessarily accepted by all Christians ... The Orthodox and the Catholic Churches have discerned that these chapters are part of the canon.” (01:49)

• Why Esther Begins at Chapters 11 and 12:
  • These chapters are placed at the start for narrative continuity, even though their numbering appears odd.
  • Historical Note:

    “St. Jerome ... did not necessarily consider these six chapters of Esther canonical. The Pope said ... we're going to include these six chapters because they're part of the Septuagint.” (29:57)

• Content:
  • Esther 11: Mordecai dreams of coming tribulation and God’s eventual deliverance.
    • The uproar of “two dragons,” chaos for the righteous, and hope emerging from prayer.
    • Mordecai seeks to understand the vision.
  • Esther 12: Mordecai uncovers a plot against the king, saving Artaxerxes, and Haman’s jealousy sets the stage for coming events.
• Orthodox/Catholic Perspective:
  • Fr. Mike explains how the Catholic canon preserves these chapters due to their use in ancient Greek manuscripts and their inclusion by Church authorities.
    • Quote:

      “The Greek version is the version that is used by the New Testament writers 80% of the time. ... So ... we’re going to include these six chapters because they're part of ... the Septuagint.” (30:54)

4. Proverbs—Wisdom for All Ages

• Passage: Proverbs 20:27-30
  • The spirit as the “lamp of the Lord;” loyalty upholds rulers; connection between youth/strength and age/wisdom.
  • Fr. Mike’s lighthearted take:

    “Those of you old men who might have some hair, that is not the color your hair originally was. You can take not only some solace, take some encouragement ... the beauty of old men is their gray hair. That sounds like someone who's just being nice to the old guys.” (12:52)

  • Key insight: God’s word values both youthful vigor and aged wisdom.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You can have a mission from God that has God’s hands all over it and still meet opposition ... every mission of God is going to experience opposition. You know this.” (14:37)
• “We prayed to our God and set a guard as protection against them day and night.” (citing Nehemiah 4:9; explained at 16:38)
• “He’s trusting fully in the strength of the Lord, but he also is being practical.” (16:50)
• “Nehemiah is an incredible leader ... we don’t get a lot of consistently virtuous people in the Scriptures ... he’s consistent.” (21:55)
• “They don’t exist to serve me. I’m only here to serve the Lord.” (19:38)
• “Those of you old men who might have some hair ... take some encouragement ... the beauty of old men is their gray hair.” (12:52)
• “If you don’t mind, if I can ask you, please pray for me. My name is Father Mike and I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (32:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:04 – Introduction & explanation of Esther’s order in Catholic Bibles
• 02:09 – Nehemiah 4: Hostile opposition, ridicule, and violence
• 07:15 – Nehemiah’s practical response: prayer and posted guards
• 10:32 – Nehemiah 5: Internal oppression and Nehemiah’s intervention
• 14:37 – Reflection: Expecting opposition in God’s work
• 16:38 – Prayer and action go hand-in-hand
• 19:38 – Nehemiah’s refusal to profit from his leadership
• 21:55 – Nehemiah as a model of virtue and leadership
• 24:28 – Fr. Mike comments on consistently virtuous people in Scripture
• 25:51 – Introduction to Esther’s unique canon structure
• 29:57 – The historical debate over deuterocanonical chapters
• 31:17 – Summary of Mordecai’s dream and plot against the King
• 32:59 – Fr. Mike’s closing encouragement and personal prayer for listeners

Key Takeaways

• Faithful leadership combines trust in God with practical preparation. Nehemiah’s story is a lesson in simultaneously praying and acting—appropriate not just in biblical times, but today.
• Expect godly work to face resistance—from without and within. How we respond matters.
• True leaders serve others instead of seeking privilege. Nehemiah sacrifices personal benefit for the people’s good.
• Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include scriptural traditions that enhance our understanding of salvation history.
• Scripture values both youthful strength and the wisdom of age.
• Fr. Mike’s warmth and humor make complex biblical traditions accessible and relevant to daily spiritual life.

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

Fr. Mike’s tone is empathetic, encouraging, and at times playful, helping listeners to see ancient stories as guides for modern faithfulness and leadership. He consistently connects Scripture’s ancient problems to present-day challenges, making this episode an uplifting and practical reflection for anyone feeling opposition in their vocations or callings.