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

Episode: Day 67 – God’s Justice and Refuge (2026)
Date: March 8, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Readings: Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 19-20, Psalm 99

Episode Overview

On Day 67, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the intricate themes of God’s justice, the unique inheritance of the Levites, the institution of cities of refuge, principles of testimony and punishment, and the reason behind difficult war commands in Deuteronomy. He reflects on how these ancient laws reveal God’s character—especially His justice, mercy, and desire for true worship—and how these lessons resonate in our lives today.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Duties and Inheritance of the Levites (Numbers 18)

• Levites Have No Land:
  • Unlike the other tribes, Levites are not given property or land; their inheritance is God Himself.
  • Fr. Mike highlights:

    “Those of the tribe of Levi are not given land, they’re not given an inheritance...God says, 'I’ll be your inheritance.' Your job is to be serving me...leading worship of me.” (22:08)

• Tithes and Support:
  • The people support the Levites through sacrifices and tithes, as compensation for holy service.
  • Levites themselves are instructed to tithe from what they receive:

    “It’s very, very clear that to the Levites, they have to give a tithe of their tithe...So even though they’re receiving the gift...they also have to offer a tithe which is so beautiful and so just, fair and just.” (23:20)

• Justice and Responsibility:
  • God’s system requires mutual dependence and participation in worship, sustaining the Levites materially and spiritually.

2. God’s Justice: Cities of Refuge & Law (Deuteronomy 19)

• Cities of Refuge:
  • Three (later six) cities set aside as sanctuaries for those who kill unintentionally, preventing cycles of vengeance.
  • Only those guilty of manslaughter (not murder) could claim asylum:

    “It’s trying to avoid crimes of passion or revenge, but saying, 'no, we’re going to only exact this justice when it’s been expressly proven...that this was murder, not simply manslaughter.'” (24:25)

• Multiple Witnesses:
  • Legal proceedings require two or three witnesses to establish guilt—ensuring fairness and avoiding false accusations.
• False Accusation Consequence:
  • If a malicious witness is uncovered, the punishment intended for the accused falls on the false accuser.
• Principle of Lex Talionis (“Eye for Eye”):
  • Proportional justice:

    “Your eye shall not pity, it shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” (Deut 19:21)

  • Fr. Mike points out this was to limit retaliation, not escalate it.

3. War, Mercy, and Judgment (Deuteronomy 20)

• Provision for Peace:
  • Before attacking, Israel must offer peace to distant cities.
• Exception – Canaanite Nations:
  • Total destruction ordered for the local Canaanite nations, framed as “wars of judgment” due to their extreme sinfulness, especially child sacrifice:

    “These are what you might call wars of judgment...the people of Canaan who are living violent, destructive, and wicked lives.” (25:29) “One of the practices...is they will sacrifice their own children...to this false god Molech...” (25:42)

• Historical and Theological Context:
  • Fr. Mike stresses the need to read these commands with historical and theological lenses, recognizing their distinct purpose and context.
  • He acknowledges listener discomfort and offers reassurance:

    “If we approach this and we are cynical...if we have questions...we wrestle with stuff. Jacob wrestled with the angel...But one of the things we have to increase in our own hearts is our trust and our confidence in Him.” (26:50) “It was...these wars of judgment on those people. But also...because God knew...if they live in the midst of these broken people...they’re going to change their hearts.” (28:10)

• Practical Consolation:
  • Moses ultimately predicts Israel will fail these commands, highlighting God’s foreknowledge and mercy.

4. Divine Justice, Human Questions, and Trust

• Struggling with Tough Passages:
  • Fr. Mike encourages listeners not to give up, even when scripture is challenging:

    “I know it upsets a lot of us. But keep this in mind. This is not out of context...Whenever it gives us pause, whenever it gives us trouble, it’s okay. It is okay, because the Lord is faithful. He is just.” (29:17 & 31:05)

• God’s Universal Love:
  • Even as God exacts judgment, He remains loving towards all people:

    “He makes the sun shine on the good and the bad. He makes the rain shine on the evil and the good. And He loves you. Even in our brokenness, He still chooses us.” (31:25)

5. Psalm 99: God’s Holiness and Justice

• God is Exalted and Just:
  • The Psalm extols God as just, holy, and forgiving, reinforcing the episode’s theme.

    “Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity. You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” (Psalm 99)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Levites’ unique calling:

  “Your job is to be serving me...The price is—you don’t get land...but the goodness is...you get to worship...” (22:12)

• On cities of refuge and avoiding cycles of violence:

  “Places of...refuge. At the same time...if you’re someone who has killed someone on purpose...the elders of that city of refuge will hand you over to trial.” (24:10)

• On wrestling with scripture and God’s word:

  “Jacob wrestled with the angel. That’s not a bad thing, to wrestle with the Lord and to say, God, what is your word trying to teach me?” (26:55)

• On God’s justice and our trust:

  “He never ever commands us to do anything unjust because he cares for every person.” (31:20)

• On the ultimate reason for these commands:

  “God needed to preserve the people of Israel and their faith so that you and I, right now, this day, could be blessed.” (28:30)

Important Timestamps

• [22:08] – Explanation of the Levites’ inheritance and tithing
• [23:20] – Justice of Levites tithing from their own tithes
• [24:10] – Cities of refuge as places of just mercy
• [26:50] – Wrestling with hard passages and increasing trust
• [28:10] – Canaanite judgment explained; context of God’s command
• [29:17] – Encouragement to continue amid difficult readings
• [31:05] – God’s justice and love for all
• [31:35] – Closing prayer for God’s mercy on all listeners

Tone & Language

Fr. Mike’s tone remains pastoral, approachable, and empathetic. He acknowledges the difficulty of hard passages, encourages engagement and honest questions, and continually points listeners to God’s justice and mercy. He balances scriptural fidelity with thoughtful, prayerful reflection—inviting trust without minimizing obstacles.

Summary Takeaways

• The priestly tribe’s unique reliance on God and the community highlights total dependence on the Lord.
• Cities of refuge institutionalize mercy in law, replacing blood vengeance with ordered justice.
• God’s difficult commands about the Canaanites are situated within a historic and moral context—Fr. Mike urges trust in God’s justice while inviting space for genuine struggle and questions.
• Psalm 99 reinforces God’s sovereignty, justice, and holiness.
• Listeners are encouraged to remain faithful, pray for one another, and stay open to wrestling with challenging parts of God’s word.

Next Steps:
Fr. Mike will continue unfolding the story of Israel and the enduring lessons of God’s justice and mercy—inviting listeners to keep journeying, with trust and community, through every challenging chapter.