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

Episode: Day 69: The Bronze Serpent (2026)
Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Main Scripture: Numbers 21, Deuteronomy 22, Psalm 102

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through Numbers 21, Deuteronomy 22, and Psalm 102. The central focus is the story of the bronze serpent, Israel’s journey and battles, miscellaneous laws in Deuteronomy, and heartfelt reflection on God’s justice and mercy. Fr. Mike provides commentary connecting Old Testament stories to Christian life, especially how signs of shame and death become, through God’s action, sources of hope and healing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Numbers 21 - The Bronze Serpent and Battles

• Israel’s Complaint and Punishment ([05:52]):
  • Israel grows impatient and speaks against God and Moses.
  • God sends fiery serpents; many Israelites die.
  • The people repent and ask Moses to pray for them.
• Moses as Intercessor ([22:15]):
  • “He continues to intercede. He continues to be a shepherd of the people. He continues to be a father for these people, even though he knows he will not be allowed to enter the promised land...”
• The Bronze Serpent as Prefiguration ([23:20]):
  • God commands Moses to make a bronze serpent. Those who look upon it are healed.
  • Fr. Mike draws a parallel to Jesus:

    “Later on, Jesus will say, just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who look upon him will be saved.” ([23:35])

  • The symbol of death (serpent/cross) becomes a symbol of healing and hope:

    “The sign of our shame becomes the symbol of our hope. The sign of our sin becomes the symbol of our hope.” ([24:00])

2. Israel’s Journey & Victory Over Kings

• Battles against Sihon (king of the Amorites) and Og (king of Bashan) are described, with God granting Israel victory ([09:30]).
• These victories fulfill God’s promise and mark significant steps toward entering the Promised Land.

3. Deuteronomy 22 – Miscellaneous Laws and Justice

• Laws of Kindness and Responsibility ([25:50]):

  • Provisions for helping one's fellow Israelite (returning lost animals, helping a fallen donkey or ox).
  • Kindness extended even to animals (e.g., not taking both a mother bird and her young).
  • “Here’s God who just has even these small acts of kindness...a bird’s nest...if the mother is there, you cannot kill both the mother and her young. Why? Because don’t be cruel.” ([26:55])

• Practical Justice ([27:40]):

  • Requirement for parapets (guardrails) on roofs for safety.
  • Prohibitions on mixing seeds, plowing with mismatched animals, and wearing mixed fabrics.
  • “Just so remarkable...if anyone falls from your house, it’s just so remarkable.” ([28:10])

• Sexual Morality and Dignity of Women ([28:30]):

  • Laws concerning accusations of premarital sex, adultery, sexual assault.
  • Stress on not falsely accusing women, reflecting God’s movement toward greater justice and dignity.
  • “In a world in which women could be considered disposable, God’s law here in Deuteronomy is saying, she is not.” ([30:05])

• Historical Context ([29:40]):

  • Fr. Mike frequently reminds the audience these laws are steps toward more just treatment in a brutal ancient world.
  • “Even in this situation, right, this is God leading a brutal and vicious people in a world where men and women were not considered to be equal, to say, let’s take those steps...from great inequality to a place of greater equality.” ([29:50])

4. Reflection on Justice, Mercy, and Worth

• Fr. Mike emphasizes the intrinsic worth of each person—single, married, widow(er), child ([32:00]).
  • “You matter. You matter, and you think later on, Jesus is going to say...you are worth more than many sparrows...” ([32:45])
• Listeners are reminded that biblical laws are fundamentally about affirming the value and dignity of human beings as God’s creation.

  “If my life matters, I need to live it like it matters. And if other people around me, if their lives matter, then I need to treat them like they matter.” ([33:10])

5. Sensitive Topics: Sexual Assault in Deuteronomy 22

• Fr. Mike addresses challenging laws regarding sexual assault ([34:00]).
  • He explains the context and the intention to make distinctions between consensual acts and assault, even if the law feels imperfect by modern standards.
  • Deep compassion is expressed for survivors:

    “If that’s you and that’s been your experience, please know that you are worth so much. You are worth the death of the Lord. You are worthy in his eyes. He loves you so much. You are not disqualified from his love. You are not used up. You are worthy. You are beautiful. And the Lord takes our ashes and replaces our ashes with jewels. The Lord Jesus can restore everything. And if you’ve been assaulted, or if something horrible has happened...hand it over to the Lord. He can make us new.” ([36:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Moses’ perseverance ([22:20]):
  • “He continues to intercede. He continues to be a shepherd of the people. He continues to be a father for these people, even though he knows he will not be allowed to enter the promised land...”
• On the bronze serpent and the cross ([23:35]):
  • “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who look upon him will be saved.”
• On the dignity of women ([30:05]):
  • “In a world in which women could be considered disposable, God’s law here in Deuteronomy is saying, she is not.”
• To survivors of assault ([36:00]):
  • “Please know you are worth so much. You are not disqualified from his love. You are not used up. You are worthy. You are beautiful. He can make us new.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [05:52] – Israelites complain; fiery serpents sent
• [09:30] – Israel’s victories over Sihon and Og
• [22:15] – Reflection on Moses’ enduring role as intercessor
• [23:35] – Connection: bronze serpent and Christ on the Cross
• [25:50] – Deuteronomy’s laws on neighborliness and justice
• [28:30] – Laws regarding sexual morality and women’s dignity
• [34:00] – Addressing the complexity of sexual assault laws
• [36:00] – Direct message to survivors and call to seek healing

Tone and Delivery

Fr. Mike’s tone is compassionate, honest, and pastorally sensitive. He provides historical context, draws connections to Christian faith, and offers words of hope and encouragement—particularly for those who may be troubled or wounded by difficult biblical passages.

Summary Takeaways

• The episode highlights God’s work in transforming signs of sin and shame into symbols of hope—the bronze serpent foreshadowing Christ’s cross.
• Mosaic law, while “imperfect” by today’s standards, represented a substantial progression toward justice and dignity in its context—especially for women and the vulnerable.
• The dignity of every person is at the heart of God’s law; everyone “matters” and is precious to God.
• Sensitive topics are acknowledged with care, offering reassurance of God’s steadfast love and healing for all, especially those who suffer.
• The call to listeners: live as if your life and the lives of others truly matter, in response to the truth that we all belong to God.

End of Summary