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

Episode: Day 58: A Chosen People
Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz | Ascension

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks listeners through Numbers 7, Deuteronomy 7, and Psalm 92, illuminating their significance in the ongoing journey of Israel. The central theme is the unique calling of God’s chosen people—Israel—and the necessity for faithfulness and set-apartness in fulfilling their role in salvation history. Fr. Mike addresses the challenging aspects of Scripture, especially God’s strict commands in Deuteronomy, offering both context and pastoral reflection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Numbers 7: Ritual Offerings and Humility (01:00–04:00)

• Recap & Ritual Detail
  • Numbers 7 describes the dedication of the tabernacle and the offerings from the leaders of each of Israel’s twelve tribes.
  • The narrative details, in highly repetitive fashion, the identical gifts and sacrifices brought by each tribe.
• Timing and Context
  • Fr. Mike notes that although this reading is placed here, the described events took place before Numbers 1, prior to the commencement of tabernacle worship.

    “We kind of did a little time traveling here as we are recounting what had happened prior to the events of worship in the tabernacle in Numbers chapter one.” (18:04)

• Humility and Unity
  • The repetition emphasizes that each tribe gave equally—no tribe outshines the other in contribution.

    “Every single tribe contributed to the worship of the tabernacle. Every single tribe brought the same thing... that shows us the humility of the people of Israel.” (19:24)

• Special Roles for the Levite Families
  • The families of Gershon and Merari received wagons and oxen to aid in their tabernacle service.
  • The sons of Kohath received none; their job was to carry the most sacred objects by hand, emphasizing reverence and uniqueness:

    “These things are so holy, so set apart, that you are going to carry them yourselves...” (21:00)

2. Deuteronomy 7: A Chosen People and a Difficult Command (04:00–11:00)

• Statement of Israel’s Chosenness
  • Israel is “a people holy to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 7:6), chosen not because of merit or number, but purely from God’s love and faithfulness to promises made to their forefathers.

    “Not because you’re great, not because you’re amazing... but because I love you and I’ve chosen you to be my instrument, to be a blessing to the world.” (22:13)

• Command to Destroy Pagan Nations
  • The people are told to utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan and avoid marriages or covenants with them.
  • Challenge: Fr. Mike acknowledges the discomfort Christians feel about these “no mercy” commands:

    “You might say, why is this?... It’s highlighted incredibly clearly in Deuteronomy chapter seven... you can’t be like the other people in the promised land, because you’re the people that I love.” (21:51)

• Purpose of Radical Separation
  • God’s instruction stems from the temptation Israel would face to adopt pagan practices, jeopardizing their unique identity and mission:

    “If you let go of your faith, if you let go of your uniqueness, then the world will not be blessed.” (23:29)

  • God’s “Long Game”:

    “His long game is one, as I immediately love you now and I’ve chosen you now. But that also means right now you have to be faithful.” (24:00)

• Context for Future Readings
  • Fr. Mike promises deeper exploration of these tough sections in upcoming episodes, especially as the narrative moves through Joshua.

3. Psalm 92: Thanksgiving and Vindication (11:00–13:00)

• Theme: Praising God for faithfulness, justice, and blessings.
• Selected Lines:
  • “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High... For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the work of your hands I sing for joy.”
  • The psalm contrasts the righteous (who flourish like the palm and the cedar) with the doom of evildoers.

4. Reflection & Prayer (13:00–15:30)

• Thanksgiving for Faithfulness
  • Fr. Mike highlights God’s unwavering faithfulness in contrast to human forgetfulness.

    “Lord God, you are faithful... even when we are unfaithful, even when we forget, you are faithful. And you never forget your children.” (14:15)

• Call to Persevere in Love
  • Echoing the Shema (Deuteronomy 6), Fr. Mike prays for the grace to truly belong to God and to love Him wholly—even in weakness.

    “Help us to love you with everything we have. Even when we are weak, even when we struggle, even when we stumble, even when we sin...” (15:00)

5. Pastoral Encouragement & Closing Thoughts (15:30–end)

• Addressing Difficult Scripture
  • Fr. Mike assures listeners about challenging biblical content, such as violence and commands of warfare:

    “Especially when we get to hard readings or difficult readings. We’re going to read about battles... violence... That is a reality of life, and it’s a reality of our ancestors, the people of Israel, whom the Lord has chosen.” (25:08)

• Reassurance of God’s Ultimate Plan
  • Though Israel’s calling requires fidelity and difference, it is for the sake of blessing the entire world through them (eventually fulfilled in Christ).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ritual Repetition:
  “Oh my goodness, we had to go through all those. Yes, we did. Because it is the word of God and it is a gift to all of us.” (18:13)

• On Chosenness:
  “Not because you’re special, but because the Lord loves you.” (21:45)

• On Israel’s Unique Mission:
  “If you let go of this, then my plan to bless the entire world through you will be thwarted.” (23:59)

• On God’s Faithfulness:
  “Even when we are unfaithful, even when we forget, you are faithful. And you never forget your children.” (14:30–15:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:00–04:00 — Dedication of the Tabernacle, detailed offerings, and significance.
• 04:00–11:00 — Deuteronomy 7 reading: Israel as a chosen people, command to destroy pagan nations, and explanation.
• 11:00–13:00 — Psalm 92 reading.
• 13:00–15:30 — Prayer of thanksgiving and trust in God’s faithfulness.
• 15:30–end — Reflection on difficult Scripture, pastoral encouragement, and closing thoughts.

Tone & Style

Throughout, Fr. Mike’s tone is warm, honest, pastoral, and occasionally light-hearted (“pretty neat,” “oh my goodness”), inviting listeners to wrestle faithfully with Scripture, assured of God’s love and ultimate purpose.

Conclusion

Day 58 delves into the details of ritual dedication, the radical calling of Israel to remain distinct, and our challenge to trust in God’s faithfulness—even amid difficult Scriptures. Listeners are reminded that Israel’s separation is not about exclusivity, but rather a deeper consecration, so that through fidelity, God may extend His blessing to all nations.