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

Episode: Day 305: The Defender

Date: November 1, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Scriptures: 2 Maccabees 8, Wisdom 5–6, Proverbs 24:30–34

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
Fr. Mike explores the concept of God as the ultimate "Defender" of his people, drawing on the dramatic accounts in 2 Maccabees 8 of Judas Maccabeus’ revolt, the inspirational promises in Wisdom 5–6, and the practical warning of Proverbs. The episode emphasizes God’s active and merciful presence in times of trial, the pursuit and fruits of true wisdom, and the vital role of longing for instruction and righteousness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God as Defender in the Maccabean Revolt

• Recap of 2 Maccabees 8: Judas Maccabeus organizes a small Jewish force and, through faith, challenge and defeats the much larger armies of foreign oppressors.
• Motivation and Memory: Judas stirs courage in his men by recounting past stories of God’s deliverance (Sennacherib’s defeat, and the battle with the Galatians).

  “God has fought for us in the past, he is fighting for us now. He’s going to fight for us.” (Fr. Mike, 16:12)

• Shift from Justice to Mercy:
  • Fr. Mike highlights how, after repentance, God turns from justice to mercy:

    “Now this is you being merciful to us because we've turned back to you.” (Fr. Mike, 17:38)

  • The Jewish people see God’s hand in real time, not just in hindsight, recognizing His discipline and mercy as part of their journey.
• Jews Proclaimed as ‘Invulnerable’ by Their Enemies:
  • Nicanor, the enemy leader, ultimately admits,

    "…the Jews had a defender, and therefore the Jews were invulnerable because they followed the laws ordained by him.” (Fr. Mike citing 2 Macc 8:36 at 20:30)

  • Fr. Mike: “He’s not referring to Judas Maccabeus as the defender. He’s referring to God himself.” (20:50)

2. Real-Time Faith versus Retrospective Faith

• Commentary on Seeing God in One’s Present:
  • Fr. Mike reflects on how hard it is to see God’s action in the present compared to the clarity of hindsight.

    “It’s sometimes a risk to look at our lives and say, ‘Oh, this is what God is doing.’ But it is not a risk to say God is present and active.” (18:23)

  • Even when we don’t fully understand circumstances, trusting in God’s presence changes our perspective.

3. The Pathway and Promise of Wisdom (Wisdom 5–6)

• Reflection on Righteousness and Vindication:
  • The righteous, once mocked, will stand confident and be amazed at their salvation—while the arrogant will see their own emptiness.

    “So it was we who strayed from the way of truth…the light of righteousness did not shine on us.” (Wisdom 5:6, cited at 13:48)

• Divine Armor Imagery:
  • The Lord is depicted clothing Himself in righteousness, justice, and zeal as He defends His people.
• Wisdom’s Origin and Pursuit:
  • A standout passage teaches that

    “…the beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction…” (Fr. Mike, 22:10, citing Wis. 6:17)

  • Fr. Mike breaks down the sequence: desire for wisdom → love of her → keeping her laws → assurance of immortality → nearness to God → a kingdom.
  • Insight:

    “The wise see clearly because they live clearly. And the foolish don’t see clearly because they live foolishly.” (Fr. Mike, 22:55)

• Challenge to Listeners:
  • Are you authentically desiring wisdom today? Are you living out this longing in your everyday choices?

4. Warning Against Laziness (Proverbs 24:30–34)

• Practical Application:
  • The field of a sluggard is overgrown, symbolizing spiritual neglect. A little laziness leads to sudden spiritual and material ruin.
  • Quote from Scripture:

    “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber and want like an armed man.” (Prov 24:33–34, cited at 15:45)

5. Community and Encouragement

• Affirmation of Community:
  • Fr. Mike marvels at the desire for wisdom and God present in the podcast community.

    “Think about this. Every person listening to this podcast for 305 days…we all desire him. If that’s not remarkable, if that’s not even a miracle, I don’t know what is.” (Fr. Mike, 24:45)

• Closing Encouragement:
  • Fr. Mike encourages continued prayer for each other’s faith journeys.

    “I’m praying for you because you need it. Please pray for me. I need it too.” (Fr. Mike, 25:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Past and Present Deliverance:

  “God has fought for us in the past, he is fighting for us now. He’s going to fight for us…so often it’s so easy for us: we can look back in our lives and say, ‘Oh, Lord, you were there.’ But here they are in real time…seeing God as being a part of their lives right now.”
  (Fr. Mike, 16:12)

• On God as Defender:

  “…proclaimed that the Jews had a defender, and that therefore the Jews were invulnerable because they followed the laws ordained by him.”
  (2 Maccabees 8:36, cited by Fr. Mike, 20:30)

• On Wisdom’s Path:

  “The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction…concern for instruction is love of her. And love of her is the keeping of her laws…giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality, and immortality brings one near to God.”
  (Wisdom 6:17-19, cited by Fr. Mike, 22:10)

• On Community and Desire for God:

  “What unites this community is not perfection…what unites this community is: we have a desire for God’s word, a desire to know his heart, and a desire to know his will for our lives.”
  (Fr. Mike, 24:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Scripture Reading Begins: 01:40
• Reflection on God’s Justice and Mercy: 16:00
• On seeing God’s hand in the present: 18:00
• Explanation of God as Defender: 20:10
• Wisdom’s Six-Step Path: 22:00
• Community and Prayer: 24:00
• Episode Closing: 25:18

Summary Table

| Segment | Timestamp | Highlight | |-----------------------------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | Scripture readings | 01:40 | 2 Macc 8, Wisdom 5–6, Prov 24:30–34 | | Maccabean courage and God’s mercy | 16:00 | Reflection on faith, history, and present trust | | God as Defender | 20:10 | Nicanor’s declaration and Fr. Mike’s commentary | | The path to wisdom | 22:00 | Six stages from Wisdom 6, Fr. Mike’s breakdown | | Community encouragement | 24:00 | Affirmation of shared desire for God and need for mutual prayer| | Closing prayer and farewell | 25:18 | Fr. Mike’s conclusion, invitation to pray for each other |

Conclusion

Day 305 is a powerful meditation on how God defends, guides, and sanctifies His people—both then and now. Through Judas Maccabeus’ courageous reliance on God, the transcendent promises of Wisdom, and the practical exhortations of Proverbs, Fr. Mike challenges listeners to seek God and wisdom daily, trust His presence in each moment, and remain united in humility and mutual prayer.