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

Episode: Day 32: Cattle, Boils, and Hail (2026)

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Date: February 1, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike walks listeners through pivotal passages from Exodus 9, Leviticus 7, and Psalm 49, focusing on the dramatic escalation of the plagues in Egypt, the meticulous sacrificial laws given to Israel, and a Psalm meditating on the deception of riches. Fr. Mike then offers deep reflection on one of the most challenging theological questions raised by the Exodus story: the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. This episode is rich in Scriptural narration, thoughtful commentary, and warm, prayerful encouragement.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Exodus 9: The Plagues Intensify

• Recap of the Plagues Covered:
  • Plague on Cattle (00:53): God brings a severe pestilence that kills all Egyptian livestock while sparing the Israelites’ cattle. Pharaoh confirms the Israelites' exemption, but remains unmoved:

    “But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.” (01:58)

  • Plague of Boils (02:03): Moses and Aaron disperse ashes, resulting in sores and boils on Egyptians and their animals; even Pharaoh’s magicians are struck and can’t stand before Moses.
  • Plague of Hail (03:20): God warns Pharaoh of an unprecedented hailstorm. Egyptians who heed the warning shelter their servants and animals; others do not.
    • The hail devastates crops, animals, and people in the fields, but spares the land of Goshen where the Israelites live.
  • Pharaoh’s Contrition and Relapse (04:55):
    • Pharaoh admits fault:

      “I have sinned; this time the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Entreat the Lord...” (05:05)

    • After the cessation of the hail, Pharaoh goes back on his word and hardens his heart yet again.

2. Leviticus 7: Laws of Sacrifice

• Types of Offerings (06:20):
  • Laws for guilt and sin offerings—entire process and who may eat from them.
  • Peace offerings with subcategories:
    • Thanksgiving
    • Votive (vow-based) or freewill
  • Regulations about eating the flesh of sacrifices on specific days; anything remaining on the third day is to be burned.
  • Strict warnings against consuming the fat or blood of sacrificial animals (08:41, 09:14):

    • “You shall eat no fat of ox or sheep or goat... Whoever eats the blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.” (09:14)

• Priestly Portions: Details which parts of the offering belong to the priests and emphasizes their perpetual share as God’s anointed.

3. Psalm 49: The Folly of Riches

• A meditation on human mortality and the futility of trusting in wealth (10:28):

  “Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me? Men who trust in their wealth... truly no man can ransom himself or give to God the price of his life.” (10:36)

• Reminder that all die—wise and foolish alike—and cannot take riches with them.

• “Man cannot abide in his pomp; he is like the beasts that perish.” (11:19, 12:16)

• Contrasts material wealth with God’s ability to ransom the soul:

  “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” (11:41)

4. Fr. Mike’s Reflection: Why Did God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart?

• Common Question:
  • “So why is God hardening Pharaoh's heart? What does it mean...?” (13:00)
• Dual Statements: Sometimes Scripture says God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, other times that Pharaoh hardened his own.
• Free Will Preserved:
  • “One of the things that it doesn’t mean is that God took away Pharaoh’s free will. God never overwhelms someone’s free will.” (13:17)
• The Wax and Clay Analogy (14:10):
  • Fr. Mike likens the effect of God’s presence to that of the sun:
    • “Wax melts in the presence of the sun. Clay hardens in the presence of the sun. It’s in many ways about the disposition of the heart.”
  • If our hearts are open (like wax), God’s presence softens us; if closed (like clay), it results in greater hardness.
• Lesson for Listeners:
  • An invitation to self-examination: “Does this happen in my life where I find my heart becoming hardened in God’s presence?” (15:03)
  • Encouragement not to let our hearts grow hard, especially during trials or in God’s silence.
  • Need for mutual prayer and support: “Without God’s action of grace, it is impossible.” (16:32)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Pharaoh’s Foolishness and God’s Mercy:

  “God is obviously demonstrating his reality… Yet, Pharaoh obstinately and stubbornly refuses to acknowledge him. In sight of that, in the presence of that, Pharaoh allows his heart to become hardened by God’s presence and by God’s power and by God’s goodness fighting for his own people.” (14:32)

• Personal Application:

  “Maybe that’s when I begin to harden my own heart to the Lord. Maybe in his presence I harden my heart. Or maybe even in his silence, I harden my heart.” (15:03)

• On Grace and Community:

  “The challenge would be that I always have a heart that is soft when it comes to the Lord’s presence and his power and his will for my life. That’s why we need each other… Without God’s action of grace, it is impossible.” (16:25)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:30 – Introduces the readings for the day (Exodus 9, Leviticus 7, Psalm 49)
• 00:53 – Recitation of Exodus 9 (plagues: cattle, boils, hail)
• 06:20 – Leviticus 7: Sacrificial laws and prohibitions
• 10:28 – Psalm 49: Reflection on the futility of riches
• 13:00 – Reflection on the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart
• 14:10 – Wax and clay analogy
• 15:03 – Application to personal spiritual life
• 16:32 – Closing exhortation and invitation to prayer

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike’s narration is pastoral, compassionate, and accessible, blending didactic teaching with personal vulnerability and practical encouragement. His reflections invite honest self-examination and foster community through shared prayer and support.

Summary prepared for listeners who want to catch up on the key teachings, themes, and encouragements of this episode.