The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Day 65: Revolt Against Moses
Date: March 6, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episodes Covered: Numbers 16; Deuteronomy 15 & 16; Psalm 97

Episode Overview

This episode unfolds the dramatic narrative of rebellion in the wilderness, examining Korah’s revolt against Moses and Aaron, and the subsequent response from God. Fr. Mike explores themes of spiritual leadership, justice, humility, and care for the poor, drawing connections between Israel’s history and lessons for modern life. The readings are contextualized through reflection and prayer, abiding by the Bible Timeline's structure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Revolt of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16)

• Background of the Rebels:
  Korah (of the Kohathite Levites), Dathan, and Abiram (from the tribe of Reuben) lead a rebellion, questioning Moses’ and Aaron’s unique roles as leaders and priests ([01:58]).

• Rebels’ Accusation:
  “You have gone too far, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” —The rebels confront Moses ([02:43]).

• Moses’ Response:
  Moses’ first action is prayer:

  “When Moses heard it, he fell on his face…”
  —Numbers 16:4, discussed by Fr. Mike ([20:24])

  Fr. Mike highlights Moses’ humility and choice to turn to God when unjustly accused before addressing the matter with righteous anger.

• God’s Judgment:
  God decisively identifies His chosen leaders:

  • Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their households are swallowed up by the earth.
  • The 250 co-conspirators are consumed by fire ([05:43], [24:22]).
  • Their censers are made into a covering for the altar as a permanent sign (Numbers 16:39, Fr. Mike at [25:04]).

  Fr. Mike frames this as God establishing justice—not vengeance—and clarifying who is called to priesthood.

• Aftermath & Continued Rebellion:
  Astonishingly, the remaining Israelites accuse Moses and Aaron, provoking God’s wrath—resulting in a devastating plague, only stopped when Aaron intervenes with incense:

  “And he stood between the dead and the living. And the plague was stopped.” ([11:28])

  Over 14,700 people perish in the plague.

2. Reflection: Spiritual Addiction and Misremembering the Past

Fr. Mike draws attention to the Israelites’ distorted view of Egypt as “a land flowing with milk and honey” ([22:40]), illustrating how people can glamorize their former bondage:

“They're describing their home, they're describing their place of slavery as a land flowing with milk and honey… they're addicted to their past. They're addicted to this comfort, they're addicted to their former way of life. And they have to be cured of this addiction.”
—Fr. Mike ([22:54])

He relates this to the human tendency to nostalgically misremember sinful or broken pasts, resisting God’s guidance toward true freedom.

3. God’s Law of Justice and Mercy (Deuteronomy 15)

• The Sabbatical Year and Release of Debts (Deut 15:1-2):
  Every seventh year, all debts among Israelites are released, symbolizing collective freedom and mercy. Provision is made to prevent any poor among them ([27:17]).

• Care for the Poor:

  • Openhanded generosity is mandated:

    “You shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need…”
    —Deuteronomy 15:7-8; highlighted by Fr. Mike ([28:35])

  • Attitude matters:

    “You will do this with an open hand. You won’t do this grudgingly… even think badly about those who are poor among you. You will provide for them and help them and serve them.”
    —Fr. Mike ([29:22])

  • Freeing Hebrew Servants:
    Servants are to be freed in the seventh year, and blessed with resources for new beginnings. If a servant wishes to stay, they may become a bondsman for life ([29:55]).

4. Worship, Festivals, and Justice (Deuteronomy 16)

• Major Feasts Reaffirmed:

  • Passover
  • Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
  • Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)

  All males must appear before God at the prescribed place, with offerings appropriate to their means ([31:00]).

• Justice Above All:

  “You shall not pervert justice, you shall not show partiality, and you shall not take a bribe. …Justice and only justice you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God gives you.”
  —Deuteronomy 16:19-20, read and emphasized by Fr. Mike ([32:30])

  The episode closes with a reminder that justice and faithful worship are at the heart of God’s covenant.

5. Praise and God’s Justice (Psalm 97)

• The psalm celebrates God’s reign, justice, and deliverance for those who reject evil and idols ([18:47]).

  “The Lord loves those who hate evil. He preserves the lives of his saints.”
  —Psalm 97:10

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Moses’ Humility:

  “Moses’ response is to pray. Now he gets mad. …But his first response is, okay, this person's attacking me and unjustly, right? …But Moses turns to the Lord first.”
  —Fr. Mike ([20:44])

• On Israel’s Spiritual Amnesia:

  “They're looking back at this place of slavery, place of bondage, and saying that was the land flowing with milk and honey, which is absolutely remarkable... And yet isn't that how we can live as well?”
  —Fr. Mike ([23:33])

• On Generosity to the Poor:

  “You shall give to him freely. And your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him. …For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you, you shall open wide your hand.”
  —Deuteronomy 15:10-11, highlighted by Fr. Mike ([29:45])

• On Worship and Justice:

  “Care for the poor. Love those people around you with justice and with mercy and with joy. And then in chapter 16, and also worship the Lord your God. This is so key.”
  —Fr. Mike ([32:05])

Important Timestamps

• [01:58] Reading of Numbers 16: The rebellion begins
• [11:28] Aaron stops the plague
• [18:47] Psalm 97: God’s justice and joy for the righteous
• [20:24] Fr. Mike’s reflections begin
• [22:40] Comparing Egypt to the Promised Land
• [27:17] Deuteronomy 15: Sabbatical laws and care for the poor
• [29:22] Openhanded giving
• [31:00] Deuteronomy 16: Festivals and proper worship
• [32:30] Mandate for justice and prohibitions against bribes
• [32:05] Concluding thoughts and prayer for the listeners

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike’s engaging, knowledgeable, and pastoral style combines scriptural analysis, storytelling, and contemporary application. He balances reverence for the biblical narrative with warmth, encouragement, and practical insight for spiritual growth.

This episode emphasizes the centrality of prayerful leadership, the dangers of nostalgia for spiritual bondage, and the call to live out God’s justice with generosity and fervor for true worship—a message as relevant today as it was in ancient Israel.