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

Episode: Day 39: Slavery in the Old Testament (2026)
Date: February 8, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading Passages: Exodus 21, Leviticus 14, Psalm 75

Overview of the Episode

This episode tackles some of the most challenging and often misunderstood passages of the Old Testament, focusing primarily on the biblical regulations around slavery found in Exodus 21. Fr. Mike guides listeners through these ancient laws, placing them in historical and theological context, and reflecting on what they reveal about God’s ongoing process of teaching His people about justice. Alongside this, he covers the Levitical laws concerning leprosy and closes with a reflection on Psalm 75, tying the readings into the broader biblical narrative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Slavery in the Old Testament: Context and Divine Pedagogy

• Historic Context:

  • Fr. Mike emphasizes that when God gives these laws, He’s addressing a people who have just come out of slavery in Egypt and have “no incredible familiarity with him” or with divine justice. This context is crucial for interpreting the intent and nature of the laws.
  • “Slavery in that context is completely normal… it’s one of the ways in which—please forgive me for saying this—but it’s one of the ways in which people cared for each other.” (20:04)

• Nature of Biblical Slavery vs. Modern Chattel Slavery:

  • He differentiates between the slavery described in these passages (often akin to indentured servitude for survival) and the more brutal chattel slavery known in later history.
  • “It’s not… the same kind of slavery we’re familiar with in North America… but a kind that said, ‘I might take it upon myself, with no other options, to place myself in what you might call indentured servitude.’” (20:55)

• God Meets People Where They Are:

  • Fr. Mike frames these laws as “lesson one” in justice—God meeting the people at their moral and cultural level, then gradually calling them higher.
  • “He’s teaching at level one and he’s calling them up ultimately to the highest levels.” (23:29)

• Introduction of Justice and Limits:

  • The laws place boundaries on the treatment of slaves and stress proportionality in justice (e.g., “an eye for an eye, not a life for an eye”).
  • “You can’t do anything you want with them. They are not truly your property, but they are a human being who’s in your employ, essentially at your service.” (24:04)

2. Leviticus 14 – Rituals of Cleansing

• Leprosy Laws:

  • The detailed process for healing and re-integrating someone with leprosy, including sacrifices, symbolic acts with oil and blood, and rituals to restore people to the community.
  • Emphasizes the care and attention given to ritual purity and the possibility of restoration.

• Care for the Marginalized:

  • Even the poorest are included, with alternative provisions for offerings if they cannot afford the standard ones. This shows God’s inclusiveness.
  • “If he is poor and cannot afford so much… two turtledoves or two young pigeons such as he can afford.” (Leviticus 14:21)

3. Psalm 75 – Thanksgiving for God’s Justice

• Theme:
  • The psalm praises God’s sovereignty in judgment and justice—He puts down the wicked and exalts the righteous.
  • This ties back to God’s incremental revelation of what true justice means.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gradual Divine Revelation:

  • “You reveal yourself to us so slowly and incrementally… Lord, you meet us where we’re at. You stoop down to us. Not to leave us there, but you stoop down to us to raise us up to you.” (18:36)

• On Interpreting Difficult Passages:

  • “If you were taking trigonometry… you wouldn’t look at their addition and subtraction and say, ‘That’s silly. Why are you spending all this time with 1 plus 1?’ … students have to start somewhere.” (22:30)

• On the Nature of Biblical Justice:

  • “Your actions matter to me. And not only do they matter, but your actions cannot be rooted merely in power or … usefulness, but your actions must be rooted in justice.” (19:30)

• Hope for Growth:

  • “He is starting at the lowest possible level that this people are able to accept and begin living. He’s going to call them higher, but he first has to come down to their level.” (23:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Reading of Exodus 21 (Slavery Laws): 01:00–08:00
• Reading of Leviticus 14 (Laws of Leprosy Cleansing and Restoration): 08:00–16:40
• Psalm 75 Reading: 16:40–18:15
• Prayer and Theological Reflection Begins: 18:15
• Detailed Commentary on Slavery and Justice: 19:10–24:45

Final Thoughts & Reflections

Fr. Mike concludes by encouraging listeners to persevere through these challenging passages, recognizing that the Bible is a journey over the whole year—not just a single day. He encourages mutual prayer and continual openness to learning about God’s justice and mercy.

• “Let’s keep praying for each other because… this is a 365-day thing. We’re going to keep walking with each other, keep journeying with each other, and keep praying for each other.” (24:57)

Summary Table

| Segment | Start Time | Key Content | |----------------------|------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Exodus 21 | 01:00 | Laws on slavery, violence, property, and justice | | Leviticus 14 | 08:00 | Ritual cleansing for lepers & houses, inclusivity | | Psalm 75 | 16:40 | Thanksgiving for God’s justice, sovereignty | | Reflection/Prayer | 18:15 | God’s incremental revelation, justice, growth | | Commentary on Slavery| 19:10 | Context, comparison to modern, God’s pedagogy |

Tonal Notes

Fr. Mike speaks with humility, clarity, and pastoral sensitivity, acknowledging the challenge these passages present to modern listeners, and helps frame them as steps on the people’s journey toward true justice and understanding of God’s character.

This summary is crafted to provide rich context and clarity while capturing the essence and spiritual depth Fr. Mike brings to his reading and reflection.