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

Episode: Day 72: The Plains of Moab (2026)
Date: March 13, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

On Day 72, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through Numbers 24-25, Deuteronomy 26, and Psalm 107, examining pivotal spiritual events as Israel encamps on the plains of Moab. The episode highlights God’s persistent faithfulness—even as His people act unfaithfully—contrasted with calls to radical generosity and care for the vulnerable. Fr. Mike brings out deep connections between Israel’s story and modern Christian discipleship, focusing on themes of faithfulness, blessing, judgment, and communal responsibility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Balaam’s Blessings and Balak’s Frustration

• Context: Balak, king of Moab, hires Balaam to curse Israel.
• God’s Intervention: Despite Balak’s persistence, Balaam is compelled by God to bless Israel instead.
  • “Balaam says words of blessing over the people of Israel. And this is remarkable, not only because here is God who is telling this soothsayer... what to say. And the words that God speaks are blessings.” (19:18)
• Four Oracles: Balaam gives four oracles—each a blessing, including a clear Messianic prophecy:
  • “I see him, but not now. I behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17)
• Balak’s Anger:
  • “I called you to curse my enemies. And behold, you have blessed them these three times.” (Numbers 24:10)

2. Israel’s Unfaithfulness in the Plains of Moab

• Moral Collapse: While God is ensuring blessing for Israel, the nation is seduced into spiritual and physical adultery with the Moabites, participating in pagan worship and immorality.
  • “The people of Israel began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab... they ate and bowed down to their gods.” (Numbers 25:1-2)
• Sacrilege in the Camp:
  • Zimri (an Israelite) publicly brings a Midianite woman, Cozbi, into the sacred space, committing a blatant act of defiance.
  • “This guy Zimri, and this gal Cosby, were not just around the temple... they were engaging in sexual relations in the very tent of meeting.” (21:37)

3. Zeal for Holiness: The Act of Phinehas

• Phinehas’ Action: Witnessing such sacrilege, Phinehas acts decisively by killing Zimri and Cozbi, stopping a plague that has killed 24,000 Israelites.
  • “Phineas sees this, this desecration, this massive sacrilege happening... he puts a spear through both of them... And then God declares, yeah, that was the right thing to do.” (22:50)
• Divine Approval: God rewards Phinehas with a “covenant of peace” for his zeal.

4. Deuteronomy 26: First Fruits, Tithes, and Social Justice

• Offering the First Fruits: Moses commands Israel to bring the first fruits to God as an act of gratitude and worship.
  • “Not only are the people of Israel commanded to give the tithes... but they’re also called to give that tithe on the third year... for the sojourner, the fatherless, the orphan, and the widow.” (24:30)
• Radical Responsibility:
  • Emphasis that care for the poor, orphan, widow, and stranger isn’t outsourced, but is the personal, communal responsibility of the faithful.
  • “We wouldn’t look to other people to take care of it. We would look to ourselves. We look to our community. We look to our parish.” (25:41)
  • Challenge to consider: “To what degree am I being called to give my first fruits in worship, but also my first fruits to the care of the people around me, the stranger, the widow, the orphan.” (26:02)

5. Psalm 107: A Litany of God’s Mercy

• Structure: A prayerful recounting of God’s steadfast love in delivering His people from various troubles: hunger, imprisonment, sickness, peril at sea.
• Key Refrain:
  • “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.”
  • “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men.”
• Closing Reflection:
  • “Whoever is wise, let him give heed to these things. Let men consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Blessing in the Face of Unfaithfulness
  • “While the Lord God is prohibiting Balaam from cursing... the people of Israel are being false to the Lord, their God. This is the goodness of God, but this is also the darkness of our hearts.” (20:44)
• On Communal Generosity:
  • “Imagine how different our parishes would be, how transformed our world would be, if just on a regular basis, we gave our first fruits... for the service of those who could not care for themselves.” (25:05)
• Conviction and Consolation:
  • “Whether to console or convict, Lord God, you have my permission. Whatever I need, I will receive from your hand.” (27:15)

Segment Timestamps

• Scripture Readings: 00:04–18:00
• Reflection on Numbers 24–25 (Balaam & Unfaithfulness): 18:00–22:50
• On the Zeal of Phinehas: 22:51–23:45
• Deuteronomy 26 & Reflection on Tithing and Charity: 24:00–26:30
• Closing Prayer/Challenge: 26:30–27:45

Summary and Takeaway

Day 72 serves as a powerful meditation on the tension between God’s unwavering fidelity and human weakness. God’s blessings come even when His people falter, yet His call to holiness and justice remains uncompromising. The episode concludes with Fr. Mike inviting listeners to examine their generosity, care for the vulnerable, and readiness to allow God to console or convict their hearts—emphasizing that transformation begins with personal receptivity and communal responsibility.

“Let’s keep praying for each other, because again, the word of God convicts us. And the word of God moves us to belong more and more to him.” —Fr. Mike Schmitz (27:45)