Day 64: Consequences of Sin (2025)

Summary

The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) - Day 64: Consequences of Sin

Release Date: March 5, 2025

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Introduction to Day 64

In Day 64 of "The Bible in a Year" podcast, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and supported by co-host Jeff Cavins, listeners delve into the profound themes of sin, its consequences, and the intricate balance between divine justice and mercy. This episode explores passages from Numbers 15, Deuteronomy 13 and 14, and Psalm 96, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Israelites' laws and their relevance to contemporary faith.

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Scripture Readings Overview

Scripture Segments:

• Numbers 15: Detailed laws regarding various offerings and the consequences of sin.
• Deuteronomy 13 & 14: Commands against idolatry, dietary laws, and provisions for the vulnerable.
• Psalm 96: A call to praise God’s sovereignty and righteousness.

Fr. Mike and Jeff commence by reading these passages, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the themes surrounding sin and its repercussions within the covenant community of Israel.

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Deep Dive into Numbers 15

The episode begins with an extensive reading of Numbers 15, which outlines different types of offerings—burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings—and emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's commandments.

Notable Quote:

"Father Mike Schmitz: The punishment for violating the Sabbath... [05:08]
"All who are native shall do these things in this way... [02:52]"

A particularly striking passage is the directive for the stoning of a man who gathers sticks on the Sabbath, highlighting the severe consequences of violating divine law. Fr. Mike acknowledges the shock such penalties might evoke in contemporary listeners, prompting a deeper examination of their purpose and context.

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Insights from Deuteronomy 13 and 14

Transitioning to Deuteronomy, the discussion focuses on the Israelites' mandate to remain distinct from surrounding nations through strict adherence to God's laws. The chapters emphasize:

• Rejection of Idolatry: The severe punishment for prophets or individuals who lead the community astray by advocating the worship of other gods.

  Notable Quote:

  "You shall stone him to death with stones, because he sought to draw you away from the Lord your God... [08:21]"

• Dietary Laws: Clear distinctions between clean and unclean animals, underscoring the call to holiness.

• Tithing and Care for the Vulnerable: Instructions on tithing not only as an act of worship but also as a means to support Levites, orphans, widows, and strangers within the community.

Notable Quote:

"And the Levite... shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands... [12:59]"

Fr. Mike and Jeff explore the multifaceted nature of these commandments, illustrating how they serve both societal order and spiritual sanctity.

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The Balance of Justice and Mercy

A central theme of the episode is reconciling the seemingly harsh penalties for sin with the overarching narrative of a merciful God. Fr. Mike emphasizes that:

• Provision for Unintentional Sins: There are mechanisms for forgiveness and atonement if sins are committed unwittingly.

  Notable Quote:

  "He shall offer a female goat a year-old for a sin offering, and the priest shall make atonement... [04:35]"

• Consequences for Rebellion: Intentional violations, especially those that signify a rejection of God's authority, carry severe penalties to maintain the community's purity.

Fr. Mike articulates that these laws reflect a divine strategy to establish a people distinctively aligned with God's purposes, ensuring their role as a conduit of blessings to the world.

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The Role of Tithes and Care for the Vulnerable

The discussion delves into the significance of tithing as outlined in Deuteronomy 14. Tithes are not merely religious obligations but are instrumental in:

• Supporting the Levites: As the tribe without a territorial inheritance, Levites rely on communal support.
• Caring for the Marginalized: Ensuring that orphans, widows, and strangers are provided for, fostering a compassionate and inclusive community.

Notable Quote:

"You shall tithe all the yield of your seed... and the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled... [12:55]"

Fr. Mike underscores the dual purpose of tithing: honoring God through worship and demonstrating tangible love for community members in need.

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The Symbolism of Tassels and Blue Cords

A poignant part of the readings involves the commandment to wear tassels with blue cords on garments, serving as a physical reminder of God's commandments.

Notable Quote:

"And upon the tassel, each of them will have a cord of blue... [21:11]"

Fr. Mike connects this symbol to various Jewish practices, such as:

• Tzitzit: Fringes placed on garments as reminders of the divine laws.
• Tefillin and Mezuzah: Other forms of scriptural reminders integrated into daily life.

The blue color, often associated with divinity and holiness, reinforces the wearer's commitment to live according to God's statutes.

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Application to Contemporary Life

Fr. Mike and Jeff bridge the ancient laws with modern faith practice by emphasizing:

• Distinctiveness: Just as the Israelites were called to be separate from other nations, Christians are encouraged to live lives that reflect God's holiness and righteousness.
• Community Responsibility: Tithing and caring for the vulnerable remain relevant, fostering communities that mirror God's love and justice.
• Continuous Remembrance: Like the tassels, believers are called to continually remember and adhere to God's commandments amidst daily challenges.

Notable Quote:

"It is the same God who can both say, yes, the consequence of violating the Sabbath is the death penalty, as well as make sure that those who are most vulnerable among you are taken care of... [20:37]"

This reflection encourages listeners to view the scriptures not as archaic rules but as living guidelines that shape ethical and spiritual living today.

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Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Day 64 offers a profound exploration of the consequences of sin within the broader tapestry of God's covenant with Israel. Key takeaways include:

• Understanding Divine Justice: Recognizing that severe consequences for sin serve to protect the community and uphold divine holiness.
• Embracing Mercy and Provision: Appreciating that God's laws also provide means for forgiveness and support for the marginalized.
• Living as a Distinctive Community: Striving to embody the values of the scriptures in everyday life, reflecting God's righteousness and compassion.

Fr. Mike concludes with a heartfelt prayer, reinforcing the episode's themes and imploring listeners to embrace the wisdom and guidance found in scripture.

Notable Quote:

"We call upon his name for ourselves because we need grace... [15:22]"

Listeners are left with a renewed understanding of how ancient laws inform modern faith, encouraging a life of holiness, justice, and mercy.

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Final Prayer Excerpt:

"Lord God, give us a spirit of trust... In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord." [15:15-15:40]

This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of divine law and the enduring call to live in accordance with God's will.

Transcript

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz.

[Unknown Co-host]

And you're listening to the Bible in.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

A Year podcast where we encounter God's.

[Unknown Co-host]

Voice and live life through the lens of Scripture.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The Bible in a Year podcast is.

[Unknown Co-host]

Brought to you by Ascension. Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Today it is day 64, and we are reading today from Numbers, chapter 15, Deuteronomy, chapters 3, 13 and 14.

[Unknown Co-host]

And we are also praying Psalm 96 today. As always, the Bible translation that I'm using is the Revised Standard Version, second Catholic Edition.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And as always, I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. You can find that Bible wherever Bibles are sold.

[Unknown Co-host]

To download your Bible in a Year.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Reading Plan to get the whole reading plan that we have for the 365 days that we are doing this, you.

[Unknown Co-host]

Can visit ascensionpress.com bibleina year and you can download that for free. And you can check off every single day. You would be checking off day 64 today.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And if you have not yet subscribed in your podcast app, go into your podcast app, which you are currently using, and click subscribe. And you will be subscribed and life will be great and we can move on. Speaking of moving on, we are reading today from Numbers, chapter 15, Deuteronomy 13.

[Unknown Co-host]

And 14, as well as praying Psalm.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

96, the book of Numbers, chapter 15 various offerings the Lord said to Moses, say to the sons of Israel, when.

[Unknown Co-host]

You come into the land you are.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

To inhabit, which I give you and.

[Unknown Co-host]

You offer to the Lord from the herd or from the flock, an offering by fire, or a burnt offering, or a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering, or at your appointed feasts to make a pleasing odor to the Lord, then he who brings his offering shall offer to the LORD a cereal offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a fourth of a hin of oil and wine for the drink offering, a fourth of a hinn you shall prepare with the burnt offering, or for the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Sacrifice for each lamb, or for a.

[Unknown Co-host]

Ram you shall prepare for a cereal offering two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil and for the drink offering you shall offer a third of a hin of wine, a pleasing odor to the Lord. And when you prepare a bull for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or for a peace offering to The Lord. Then you shall offer with the bull a cereal offering of 3/10 of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil. And you shall offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine as an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord. Thus it shall be done for each bull or ram, or for each of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The male lambs or the kids, according to the number that you prepare, so.

[Unknown Co-host]

Shall you do with every one according to their number. All who are native shall do these things in this way, in offering and offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And if a stranger is sojourning with.

[Unknown Co-host]

You, or anyone is among you throughout your generations, and he wishes to offer an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to the Lord, he shall do as.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You do for the assembly.

[Unknown Co-host]

There shall be one statute for you, and for the stranger who sojourns with.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You, a perpetual statute throughout your generations.

[Unknown Co-host]

As you are, so shall the sojourner be before the Lord. One law and one ordinance shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The Lord said to Moses, say to the sons of Israel, when you come.

[Unknown Co-host]

Into the land to which I bring you, and when you eat of the food of the land, you shall present an offering to the Lord of the first of your course meal, you shall.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Present a cake as an offering, as.

[Unknown Co-host]

An offering from the threshing floor, so.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Shall you present it.

[Unknown Co-host]

Of the first of your course meal, you shall give to the Lord an.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Offering throughout your generations.

[Unknown Co-host]

But if you err and do not observe all these commandments which the Lord has spoken to Moses, that the Lord.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Has commanded you by Moses, from the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Day that the Lord gave commandment and.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Onward throughout your generations, then, if it.

[Unknown Co-host]

Was done unwittingly, without the knowledge of the congregation, all the congregation shall offer one young bull for a burnt offering, a pleasing odor to the Lord, with its cereal offering and its drink offering according to the ordinance, and one male.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Goat for a sin offering.

[Unknown Co-host]

And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the sons of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Israel, and they shall be forgiven because it was an error, and they have.

[Unknown Co-host]

Brought their offering, an offering by fire to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord for their error, and all the congregation of the sons of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Israel shall be forgiven, and the stranger who sojourns among them, because the whole population was involved in the error.

[Unknown Co-host]

If one person sins unwittingly, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering, and the priest shall make atonement before the Lord for.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The person who commits an error when.

[Unknown Co-host]

He sins unwittingly, to make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. You shall have one law for him who does anything unwittingly, for him who.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Is native among the sons of Israel.

[Unknown Co-host]

And for the stranger who sojourns among them. But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord. And that person shall be cut off.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

From among the people because he has.

[Unknown Co-host]

Despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment. That person shall be utterly cut off.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

His iniquity shall be upon him. Punishment for violating the Sabbath.

[Unknown Co-host]

While the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Sticks on the Sabbath day.

[Unknown Co-host]

And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

They put him in custody, because it.

[Unknown Co-host]

Had not been made plain what should be done to him.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And the Lord said to Moses, the man shall be put to death.

[Unknown Co-host]

All the congregation shall stone him with.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Stones outside the camp.

[Unknown Co-host]

And all the congregation brought him outside.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The camp and stoned him to death.

[Unknown Co-host]

With stones, as the LORD commanded.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Moses.

[Unknown Co-host]

Tassels on garments the Lord said to.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Moses, speak to the sons of Israel.

[Unknown Co-host]

And bid them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Generations, and to put upon the tassel.

[Unknown Co-host]

Of each corner a cord of blue, and it shall be to you a tassel to look upon and remember all the commandments of the Lord.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

To do them not to follow after.

[Unknown Co-host]

Your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to go after wantonly. So you shall remember and do all my commandments and be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The Book of Deuteronomy, chapters 13 and 14, chapter 13. Moses continued, if a prophet arises among.

[Unknown Co-host]

You, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder which he.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Tells you comes to pass. And if he says, let us go.

[Unknown Co-host]

After other gods which you have not.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Known, and let us serve them, you.

[Unknown Co-host]

Shall not listen to the words of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That prophet or to that dreamer of dreams.

[Unknown Co-host]

For the Lord your God is testing.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You to know whether you love the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Lord your God with all your heart.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And with all your soul.

[Unknown Co-host]

You shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Commandments, and obey his voice, and you.

[Unknown Co-host]

Shall serve him and cling to him.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death because.

[Unknown Co-host]

He has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Make you leave the way in which.

[Unknown Co-host]

The Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The midst of you, if your brother the son of your mother, or your.

[Unknown Co-host]

Son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, who is as your own soul entices you, secretly, saying, let us go and serve.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known.

[Unknown Co-host]

Some of the gods of the peoples that are round about you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other is, you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Him, but you shall kill him. Your hand shall be the first raised against him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

[Unknown Co-host]

You shall stone him to death with stones, because he sought to draw you.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Away from the Lord your God, who.

[Unknown Co-host]

Brought you out of the land of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Egypt, out of that house of bondage.

[Unknown Co-host]

And all Israel shall hear and fear, and never again do any such wickedness.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

As this among you. If you hear in one of your.

[Unknown Co-host]

Cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell there, that certain base fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

City, saying, let us go and serve.

[Unknown Co-host]

Other gods which you have not known, then you shall inquire and make search, and ask diligently and behold, if it be true and certain that such an.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Abominable thing has been done among you.

[Unknown Co-host]

You shall surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword, destroying it utterly, all who are in it and its cattle with the edge of the sword you shall gather all the spoil.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Into the midst of its open square.

[Unknown Co-host]

And burn the city and all its spoil with fire as a whole burnt offering to the Lord your God. It shall be a heap forever. It shall not be built again. None of the devoted things shall cling to your hand. That the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Mercy, and have compassion upon you, and.

[Unknown Co-host]

Multiply you as he swore to your fathers. If you obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping all his commandments.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Which I command you this day, and doing what is right in the sight.

[Unknown Co-host]

Of the Lord your God.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Chapter 14 pagan practices forbidden.

[Unknown Co-host]

You are the sons of the Lord your God.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You shall not cut yourselves or make.

[Unknown Co-host]

Any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his own possession. Out of all the peoples that are.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

On the face of the earth, you.

[Unknown Co-host]

Shall not eat any abominable thing.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

These are the animals you may the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep. Every animal that parts the hoof and.

[Unknown Co-host]

Has a hoof cloven in two and chews the cud.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Among the animals you may eat yet.

[Unknown Co-host]

Of those that chew the cud or have the hoof cloven, you shall not eat these.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The camel, the hare and the rock badger, because they chew the cud but do not part. The hoof are unclean for you.

[Unknown Co-host]

And the swine, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud is unclean for you. Their flesh you shall not eat, and.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Their carcasses you shall not touch.

[Unknown Co-host]

Of all that are in the waters, you may eat these.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Whatever has fins and scales you may eat.

[Unknown Co-host]

And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat. It is unclean for you. You may eat all clean birds, but these are the ones which you shall not eat. The eagle, the vulture, the osprey, the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Buzzard, the kite, after their kinds, every raven after its kind, the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk, after their kinds, the little owl and the great owl, the water hen and the pelican, the carrion vulture and the cormorant, the stork, the heron, after their kinds, to the hoopoe and the bat.

[Unknown Co-host]

All the winged insects are unclean for you.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

They shall not be eaten.

[Unknown Co-host]

All cling winged things you may eat. You shall not eat anything that dies of itself.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You may give it to the alien.

[Unknown Co-host]

Who is within your towns that he may eat it. Or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk.

[Unknown Co-host]

Regulations concerning tithes. You shall tithe all the yield of.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Your seed which comes forth from the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Field, year by year and before the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Lord your God in the place which he will choose to make his name dwell.

[Unknown Co-host]

There you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine and of your oil, and the firstlings of your herd and flock that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. And if the way is too long.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

For you, so that you are not.

[Unknown Co-host]

Able to bring the Tithe. When the Lord your God blesses you because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

To set his name there, then you shall turn it into money, and bind.

[Unknown Co-host]

Up the money in your hand and go to the place which the Lord your God chooses, and spend the money for whatever you desire, oxen or sheep.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Or wine, or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves.

[Unknown Co-host]

And you shall eat there before the.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Lord your God, and rejoice you and your household.

[Unknown Co-host]

And you shall not forsake the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you. At the end of every three years you shall bring forth all the tithe.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns.

[Unknown Co-host]

And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

The work of your hands that you do. Psalm 96 Praise to God who comes in judgment.

[Unknown Co-host]

O sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord all the earth Sing to the Lord, Bless his name Tell of his salvation from day to day.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.

[Unknown Co-host]

He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols. But the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

O families of the peoples.

[Unknown Co-host]

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in holy attire. Tremble before him all the earth.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Say among the nations the Lord reigns. Yes, the world is established, it shall never be moved.

[Unknown Co-host]

He will judge the peoples with equity.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

[Unknown Co-host]

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it. Let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy before the Lord.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

For he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth. Father in heaven, we thank you for your word. We thank you for your scripture today. We thank you also for the great wisdom that you give to us in helping us understand your word. Lord God, for all the times we are perplexed and troubled. Not just perplexed, but deeply troubled, even troubled in our heart by you or by your Teaching what you reveal about yourself. We ask that you give us not only take away a spirit of skepticism or spirit of cynicism, but you give us a spirit of openness, a spirit.

[Unknown Co-host]

Of truth and a spirit of honesty.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

A spirit of trust that when we.

[Unknown Co-host]

Don'T understand, we ask.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And when we still don't understand, we continue to ask. Lord God, give us a spirit of trust. Give us a spirit of. That is open to whatever it is.

[Unknown Co-host]

You will for us this day and.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Every day, we make this prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

[Unknown Co-host]

Amen. In the name of the Father and.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. So in today's readings from numbers, numbers, chapter 15, it's kind of a reiteration, right? Remember that this is the people of.

[Unknown Co-host]

Israel as they're beginning their journey.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

They're now going to be beginning their journey into the wilderness. And. And so here is Moses, who continues.

[Unknown Co-host]

To remind them about the offerings. So we covered all of those offerings.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

In greater detail in the book of Leviticus. And this is roughly the same time in the history of Israel, roughly the same time when those laws of Leviticus were being offered. And how important it is for these.

[Unknown Co-host]

Laws, remember, the heart of these laws.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Is that God has said, no, you are my people.

[Unknown Co-host]

And he has set his love upon them.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Now, this is so important that these laws, the consequences of sin or the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Consequences of rebelling against the Lord are.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

So great that they shock us, right? That capital punishment as a violation of the Sabbath. The man is picking up sticks. It says here in Numbers, chapter 15, beginning with verse 32, the man gathering.

[Unknown Co-host]

Sticks on the Sabbath day.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And what do we do with this? And it says, well, take him outside.

[Unknown Co-host]

The camp and stone him to death with stones.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And we can look at that, we can hear that and think, that is, I don't want to say crazy, but.

[Unknown Co-host]

That is something we wouldn't expect.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That might be something we would expect, but not something we expect out of God's law. Not necessarily something we expect from the.

[Unknown Co-host]

God who is mercy and the God who is love.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

So how do we understand this? There's a couple things we need to understand.

[Unknown Co-host]

First is the Lord God made provision.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Both for people making sins or committing.

[Unknown Co-host]

Sins unwittingly and those who are committing sins flagrantly. So here's someone who unwittingly, I didn't realize this. I accidentally committed this sin.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I accidentally had a violation against the Lord. And God says, yeah, I mean, you could come back to me. And there's forgiveness. But this phrase that is used in numbers 15, where it says, but if.

[Unknown Co-host]

The person who sins with a high.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Hand, with a high hand, what that reference is is someone who's openly rebelling, someone who's saying, essentially, I am choosing.

[Unknown Co-host]

To be set apart, I'm choosing to.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Make myself not part of God's people, then the consequence would be, well, you're being treated like someone who's not part of God's people. And the punishment for that was death, is the capital punishment.

[Unknown Co-host]

And it can seem so again extreme.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

For us when it comes to our understanding if here's a person violating the Sabbath and the consequences death.

[Unknown Co-host]

But keeping in mind there was provision.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

For when someone wasn't sinning with a high hand, when this was something that was done unwittingly, something that was not done in great rebellion. The second piece of this is that the people of Israel remember their mission is going to be through them, God is going to bless the entire world. So they have to be different from.

[Unknown Co-host]

The rest of the entire world. It's one of the reasons why when.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

We get to Deuteronomy and we have these commands, and some of the commands are the tithe. The tithe isn't simply because God wants.

[Unknown Co-host]

A worship, although that is so important.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

For us that we have to be our, have our hearts set on God, Worship of God. But the tithe is also provide for the Levites. Part of your tithe goes to them.

[Unknown Co-host]

Why?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Because they don't have an inheritance with other tribes of Israel, meaning they don't get land. And so you have to supply for the priests.

[Unknown Co-host]

But the other thing, so that's compassion, right?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That's taking care of each other.

[Unknown Co-host]

But the other piece of the tithe.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Is especially that third year tithe that we heard of in Deuteronomy, chapter 14.

[Unknown Co-host]

Is this is for those who are fatherless, this is for those who are widows. This is for those who are strangers among you, who don't have employment.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And so keep this in mind. The same God who commanded that the person who is picking up sticks on the Sabbath day be executed is the same God who says, but those fatherless.

[Unknown Co-host]

Those who are orphans, those who are widows, those who are among you who are strangers, care for them, make sure.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That you make an extra effort to.

[Unknown Co-host]

Show them my mercy and show them my love.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Now that on the surface for us can be like that seems so. I don't wanna say schizophrenic, but you know, it can seem like a dichotomy or a paradox that we cannot reconcile. But the reconciliation.

[Unknown Co-host]

You have to be other, right? You have to be separate.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And one of the ways you're separate that's so clear is how you worship and how you live, like how you eat, how you mourn the death of people among you. For example, it says, you shall not shave your head.

[Unknown Co-host]

Why?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Because in that area, when people would.

[Unknown Co-host]

Mourn, they would shave their heads in.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

A particular way to commemorate this offering.

[Unknown Co-host]

Of the person to another God.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And this is again, so utterly important that because if God is going to.

[Unknown Co-host]

Use the people of Israel to bless the world, they cannot be like the rest of the world, specifically, as I.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Said, in how they worship and how they live, how they dress and how they eat.

[Unknown Co-host]

So these laws are of vital importance.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Not because the law itself has. I mean, it all has depth, obviously. But I'm trying to make the case for the fact that this is the same God who can both say, yes, the consequence of violating the Sabbath is the death penalty, as well as make sure that those who are most vulnerable among you are taken care of.

[Unknown Co-host]

It is the same God.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Because there's a big picture going on in this moment. Now, I want to make one last point. It's in the end of numbers, chapter 15, where it comes to the tassels. On the garment, it says, upon the.

[Unknown Co-host]

Tassels, each of them will have a cord of blue. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord to do them. Follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you're inclined to do, but you shall remember and do all my commandments.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

When you look at this tassel now.

[Unknown Co-host]

The blue cord, what's up with blue?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Well, remember that the garment spoken of worn by the priests were had woven blue in it.

[Unknown Co-host]

Remember that there are a number of times where God says, okay, the color.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That is used in the temple, not only was it scarlet and other, but also blue, this being an important reminder that you would wear that would have that reminder of, oh, God's holiness. Because we see that blue in the tabernacle, we see that blue in the tent of meeting, we see that blue in the temple. And so once again, the scripture on your doorpost, mezuzah, the scripture on your.

[Unknown Co-host]

Forehead or arm is a tefillin.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And the scripture that is not a scripture. But the thread that is on your shawl is called the tzitzit. Just in case any of you get on Jeopardy. And have to answer that question, we keep praying for each other as we're moving right along today's.

[Unknown Co-host]

Day 64.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And so we continue to lift up.

[Unknown Co-host]

Our eyes to the Lord and call.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Upon his name in for each other. And we call upon his name for ourselves because we need grace. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you again tomorrow. God bless.