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

Episode: Day 5: Tower of Babel (2026)
Release Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension
Main Readings: Genesis 10 & 11; Psalm 2

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through Genesis chapters 10 and 11, concluding the "Early World" period of The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. The primary focus is the genealogy following Noah, the emergence of Nimrod and his kingdom, and the story of the Tower of Babel. Fr. Mike draws reflections on ambition, the difference between excellence and self-exaltation, and the importance of glorifying God rather than oneself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Genealogies After the Flood

Timestamp: 00:04 – 04:45

• Genesis 10 recounts the descendants of Noah’s sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
• The genealogy notes the spread of different peoples, emphasizing the diversity of nations and languages that arise after the flood.
• Special mention is made of Nimrod, described as "the first on earth to be a mighty man" and a "mighty hunter before the Lord," who founded the kingdom of Babel and other cities in the land of Shinar.

2. The Tower of Babel

Timestamp: 04:45 – 08:45

• Genesis 11 tells how all people shared a single language.
• As humanity settles in the land of Shinar, they decide:

  "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves…"

• Their ambition is self-focused—seeking to make their own name great rather than honoring God.
• In response, God confuses their language to prevent them from uniting under a prideful purpose, scattering them across the earth.

  "Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth." (Genesis 11:9)

3. Reflection on Ambition vs. Excellence

Timestamp: 13:50 – 19:50

• Fr. Mike draws a distinction between excellence (striving to be who God made us to be) and ambition for self-glorification (desiring power, control, and recognition).
• On Nimrod:
  • Nimrod is used as an example of someone who misuses his gifts and strength for self-exaltation.
  • Fr. Mike notes the cultural oddity of "Nimrod" as an insult, despite his impressive biblical description, contextualizing him as a figure who becomes associated with tyranny and ambition for the wrong purposes.
• Notable Quote:

  “The key is not that they wanted to build a big tower—that’s fine… The problem is when they say, ‘let us make a name for ourselves.’ That’s the difference between excellence and ambition.” — Fr. Mike (18:40)

• Ambition for Holiness:
  • Fr. Mike shares the story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who aspired to be a “great saint,” showing that the desire for greatness, rightly ordered, is good if it points toward God’s glory.

  "I want to be a saint and a great saint... That kind of ambition... is something that the Lord puts in our hearts, and He wants us to cultivate that.” — Fr. Mike (15:10)

• Pursuing excellence means using God-given gifts for God’s glory and the benefit of others, instead of building one’s own legacy or seeking fame.

4. Comparing Babel and Abram’s Promise

Timestamp: 19:50 – 21:15

• The narrative transitions to Abram (to be explored in the next episode). Fr. Mike points out the contrast:
  • At Babel, humans try to make their own name great.
  • With Abram, God promises to make his name great (Genesis 12, in the next reading).

  “That’s what we want to strive after—not that I want to make a great name for myself, but to receive the name the Lord has for me.” — Fr. Mike (20:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Nimrod’s Character:

  "Nimrod, in chapter ten, sounds like he’s a pretty impressive human being… in many interpretations, would become a tyrant in his quest for ambition and his quest for power and… control." — Fr. Mike (11:45)

• On Building for God’s Glory:

  "Think about the incredible churches that have been built to honor the Lord… to build something excellent is not the problem." — Fr. Mike (16:50)

• Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s Aspiration:

  "Saint Maximilian Kolbe… his number one goal, he said, ‘I want to be a saint, to be a great saint.’" — Fr. Mike (15:05)

• St. Francis de Sales Advice:

  “Be who you are and be that well. Be who God made you to be and be that well.” — Fr. Mike quoting St. Francis de Sales (20:45)

Prayerful Reflection

Timestamp: 12:05 – 13:40
Fr. Mike leads a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s work through flawed and broken people in Scripture, asking for trust in God’s ability to use brokenness for good:

“As you reveal how you’ve worked through broken people, help us to trust you in our brokenness. Because we know that you can use all things for your glory… You use wounded things to make things whole again.” — Fr. Mike (13:15)

Action Steps for Listeners

• Reflect on the difference between self-centered ambition and holiness-centered excellence.
• Consider aspirations: Am I striving for God’s glory or my own renown?
• Make a resolution like St. Maximilian Kolbe:

  “Lord, make me a saint and make me a great saint… not for my own glory, but to be who you made me to be.” — Fr. Mike (20:10)

Closing

Fr. Mike encourages listeners to continue the journey, to pray for one another, and reminds them of resources and the reading plan available through Ascension.

Next Episode Preview:
The transition to Abram (Abraham) and the start of a new chapter in salvation history.

This summary is intended to serve those who wish to review or revisit the episode’s teachings and reflections, capturing Fr. Mike’s insights and tone while marking significant scriptural and spiritual moments.