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

Episode: Day 36: Manna from Heaven
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Readings: Exodus 15–16, Leviticus 11, Psalm 71

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through powerful moments in salvation history, focusing on Israel’s deliverance through the Red Sea, the “Song of Moses and Miriam,” God’s miraculous provision of manna from heaven, and lessons about trust and fidelity woven throughout these stories. The episode also explores Leviticus 11’s distinctions between clean and unclean foods—highlighting God's deeper call to holiness—and finishes with a reflection on Psalm 71’s prayer for God’s lifelong protection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Song of Moses and Miriam: Celebrating Deliverance

• Exodus 15 begins with the Israelites’ song of triumph after their escape from Pharaoh’s army.
• The text expresses awe at God’s power (“The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation” [02:00]).
• Miriam leads the women in song and dance, echoing the celebration of God’s victory.

Memorable quote:
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” (Exodus 15:1, read at 02:15–02:30)

2. Murmuring in the Wilderness & The Gift of Manna

• Shortly after their deliverance, the Israelites begin to complain about lack of water (Marah) and later, hunger in the desert.
• Despite their grumbling, God responds with generosity—healing the bitter waters (Marah) and then promising food.
• God sends “bread from heaven” (manna) and quail, instructing the Israelites to gather only enough for each day except the Sabbath, teaching trust and obedience.

“It’s so remarkable, isn’t it, that here it’s just been a few weeks… and [the Israelites] are murmuring against God, saying ‘Why didn’t we just die back in Egypt?’… Wouldn’t it be better if we had just died as slaves?”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (reflection at 26:25)

God’s Purpose: Provision as Training

• Fr. Mike emphasizes that God is “not just feeding them… he’s training them” (27:10).
  • Daily manna teaches reliance on God.
  • Gathering twice as much before the Sabbath is a lesson in rest and trust.
  • Attempts to hoard manna result in spoilage—except before the Sabbath, when God preserves it.

“He’s training them in the act of trust. He’s training them to walk in faith… and that he’s near to them. And they have to learn this. And so do we.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (27:38)

3. Sabbath and Trust—A Commandment with a Lesson

• God commands rest on the seventh day and provides for it himself.
• Some Israelites test this and go out to gather on the Sabbath but find nothing.
• The practice establishes rhythms of rest and faith—parallels to Christian spiritual life.

“That seventh day being Shabbat, right? That seventh day being a day where you’re going to rest… but also it’s a day of trust.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (27:17)

4. Leviticus 11: Clean and Unclean Animals—Call to Holiness

• Introduction of dietary laws: what may or may not be eaten, and regulations for uncleanness.
• Lists specific animals (e.g., “You shall not eat the swine…” [22:50]).
• God’s reasoning: not mere health, but consecration.
  • “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44, [24:31])
• Fr. Mike reflects on how laws both protect and train (28:45), not just physically, but spiritually, to mirror God’s own faithfulness.

5. Psalm 71: Lifelong Dependence on God

• Psalm is a prayer for protection, expressing trust formed from birth to old age.
• The Psalmist recounts God’s steadfastness through life’s troubles, ending in renewed praise and hope.

“For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my strength...”
(Psalm 71:5, read at 25:25)

6. Reflection: God Trains Us for Trust and Faithfulness

• Fr. Mike draws out the thematic thread: God’s commandments train us not only for living well, but to resemble His faithfulness.
• The rules—about manna, about clean foods—teach trust and fidelity.
• Application to listeners: Spiritual growth requires God’s grace, community, and perseverance.

“God is inviting us to learn how to be faithful to him and be faithful to his promises and faithful to our own promises. In order to do that, we need his grace. We can’t do it on our own.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (29:00)

7. Community and Prayer: We Journey Together

• Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of mutual prayer and support among listeners.
• Encourages ongoing intercession: “We need each other. None of us can do this on our own.” (29:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trusting God in Hard Places:
  “Wouldn’t it be better if we had just died as slaves… rather than being led by the Lord through dangerous places, uncomfortable places?”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (26:32)
• On Obeying God’s Commands:
  “Sometimes God gives us commandments not just to keep us out of harm and not just because it’s oriented towards human flourishing. But also because it teaches us and trains us to be like Him.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (28:45)
• Invitation for Community:
  “We might not know each other by name, but we do know each other as brothers and sisters in the Lord... I am praying for you, and please pray for me.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (29:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00–03:45: Song of Moses and Miriam after crossing the Red Sea
• 15:00–22:00: God provides manna and quail, instructions for gathering, lessons about trust
• 22:10–24:50: Leviticus 11—Clean and unclean foods, God’s holiness reflected in commands
• 24:55–26:15: Psalm 71—Prayer for lifelong protection
• 26:15–29:45: Fr. Mike’s reflection on God’s training of Israel (and us) in faithfulness and trust
• 29:45–30:40: Closing prayer and encouragement to the community

Summary Takeaways

• God’s miracles invite continual trust, not just gratitude for the past.
• Obedience to God’s commands is formative—it shapes our hearts to trust and be faithful as He is faithful.
• God’s provision is daily and sufficient—we are taught not to hoard, but to rely on him.
• Community and prayer are vital for perseverance on our spiritual journey.
• God’s holiness is both a gift and a call: we are meant to be holy as He is holy, even through ordinary habits.

Fr. Mike’s parting words:

“We need each other. None of us can do this on our own… I am praying for you, and please pray for me.” (29:45)