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

Episode: Day 281: Good and Evil (2025)
Date: October 8, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz | Ascension

Overview of the Episode

Day 281 marks the conclusion of the "Return" period in the Bible's narrative timeline, focusing on the final chapter of Nehemiah, the complete Book of Malachi, and select verses from Proverbs. Fr. Mike guides listeners through the persistent struggle between fidelity and infidelity to God, the renewal and reform of Israel, God's call and challenge through the prophet Malachi, and the anticipation of the coming Messiah. These readings set the stage for the upcoming Maccabean revolt and introduce themes that are both timeless and timely.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Conclusion of Nehemiah: Reforms, Corrections, and the Cycle of Unfaithfulness

[05:00–15:00]

• Nehemiah’s Zeal for Reform: Upon returning to Jerusalem, Nehemiah discovers several areas where the Israelites have again strayed from the covenant, despite earlier renewal:

  • Allowing foreigners into the assembly (contrary to Mosaic Law)
  • Corruption within the temple (Eliashib giving Tobiah a residence in the temple)
  • Tithes for the Levites and singers neglected
  • Sabbath violations (commerce and labor on the Sabbath)
  • Intermarriage with surrounding peoples, leading to loss of the Hebrew language and identity

• Moral Leadership Confronts Complacency:

  • Nehemiah does not hesitate to take bold action—removing Tobiah from the temple, confronting officials, and insisting on purification and the restoration of proper worship.
  • Memorably, in response to continued intermarriage, Nehemiah says:

    “Did not Solomon, king of Israel, sin on account of such women?... Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?” (Nehemiah 13:26–27, paraphrased)
    [12:30]

  • Nehemiah’s parting prayer captures the weight of his mission:

    “Remember me, O my God, for good.” (Nehemiah 13:31)
    [14:50]

• Recurring Theme of Unfaithfulness:

  “The more things change, the more things stay the same... People are brought back, and then what happens? They become unfaithful, and so reform becomes necessary all over again.” – Fr. Mike [16:20]

2. Malachi: Prophecy, Rebuke, and the Promise of a Messenger

[16:30–31:00]

• Context of Malachi:

  • Malachi, meaning “my messenger,” speaks at the end of the Return period. His prophecies occur in the milieu of Ezra and Nehemiah, as the people settle back in the land but face persistent religious and social decay.

• Six Rhetorical Disputes: The People vs. the Lord

  • Malachi’s message is marked by God’s assertions and Israel’s questioning retorts:

    • “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” (Malachi 1:2)
      Fr. Mike emphasizes:

      “God says, ‘I love you.’ And their response: ‘Oh yeah? How?’” [18:00]

    • The people question accusations about their sacrifices, conduct, and disregard for God’s covenant.

  • Corruption of the Priesthood:

    • Priests offer blemished sacrifices and fail to give God glory, leading God to declare:

      “Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock and vows it, and yet sacrifices... what is blemished. For I am a great king.” (Malachi 1:14)
      [20:20]

• Marriage, Covenant, and Faithfulness:

  • The people profane marriage by divorce and intermarriage; God denounces this, saying:

    “For I hate divorce, says the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Malachi 2:16)
    [22:00]

  • Fr. Mike connects this to the covenant union between God and his people and the seriousness of keeping that bond.

• Contemporary Parallels: “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism”

  • Fr. Mike discusses how Americans often embrace a watered-down faith:

    “Most Americans have this view of God that’s moralistically, therapeutically deistic... It’s a God you can take off the shelf and put back on the shelf. He likes everything you like, and hates everything you hate.” [24:50]

• People’s Weariness and Accusations Against God:

  • The people complain:

    “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them. Or by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” (Malachi 2:17)
    [25:40]

  • Fr. Mike notes:

    “As Christians, we emphasize that God loves us, but sometimes forget he calls us to righteousness... There’s this tightrope we walk.” [26:30]

3. Prophecy of the Coming Messenger and Final Judgment

[31:00–33:30]

• Messianic Prophecies:

  • Malachi foretells John the Baptist and the Lord’s arrival:

    “Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple...” (Malachi 3:1)
    – Fr. Mike:
    > “This is the prophecy of John the Baptist. And the Lord whom you seek—Jesus!—will suddenly come to his temple. So good.” [32:10]

• The Day of the Lord:

  • A warning and a promise:

    “For behold, the day comes burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble... But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.” (Malachi 4:1-2)
    [33:00]

4. Wisdom from Proverbs

[34:00]

• The sluggard’s desire, the righteous who gives, abomination of empty sacrifice, and the enduring word of a faithful witness.

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On Faithfulness and Reform:

  “If you want to have a family united in faith, don’t start it out disunited in faith. That is not wise.” – Fr. Mike [17:50]

• On Our Relationship with God:

  “Either we forget that God loves us... or we say, ‘everyone’s fine, nothing’s really evil in the sight of the Lord,’ and forget the call to holiness.” – Fr. Mike [26:20]

• On God’s Promises:

  “He’s coming. He’s come. He’s returning. Even now Malachi applies to us because... he is going to come again.” – Fr. Mike [34:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:04] – Introduction, context for readings
• [05:00] – Reading and analysis of Nehemiah 13
• [16:30] – Transition to the Book of Malachi, contextual background
• [18:00–25:00] – God’s disputes with Israel, priestly corruption, marriage and faithfulness, moralistic therapeutic deism
• [31:00] – Messianic prophecies, “messenger” theme
• [33:00] – The Day of the Lord and hope for the faithful
• [34:00] – Proverbs reflection: labor, generosity, right sacrifice, and truth
• [35:00] – Concluding prayer and preparation for the Maccabean period

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s delivery remains pastoral and engaging, seamlessly connecting ancient Scripture to modern life. He is prayerful, passionate, honest about human failings, and imbued with hope for God’s faithfulness.

Final Takeaways

• Israel’s journey home ends with the same challenges that began their exile—unfaithfulness, compromised worship, and divided hearts.
• Malachi’s voice resonates across centuries: God’s love is steadfast, but he calls for total fidelity and a heart attuned to justice.
• The “messenger” points to John the Baptist and, ultimately, Jesus, reinforcing the ongoing story of salvation.
• The call is personal: to recognize God’s love, reject complacency, honor the covenant, and prepare for the Lord’s coming—past, present, and future.

Fr. Mike ends with anticipation for the next phase: “Tomorrow we start the Maccabean revolt and it’s going to be amazing. I am praying for you. Please pray for me. God bless.” [36:00]