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

Episode: Day 74: Joshua Appointed (2026)

Date: March 15, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast by: Ascension

Episode Overview

In Day 74 of "The Bible in a Year," Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through several pivotal moments in salvation history as found in Numbers 27–28, Deuteronomy 28, and Psalm 112. This episode focuses on Moses resolving an inheritance issue with the daughters of Zelophehad, the official appointment of Joshua as his successor, the laws regarding offerings, and the stark blessings and curses outlined by Moses in Deuteronomy. Fr. Mike reflects on the justice of God's commands, the seriousness of obedience, and the deeper connections between Old Testament events and their fulfillment in Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Inheritance and Justice: The Daughters of Zelophehad

• Scripture Reference: Numbers 27
• The daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses because their father died without a son, risking their family's inheritance being lost.
• Moses consults God, who instructs that daughters may inherit if there are no sons, establishing a precedent for female inheritance.
• Insight: Fr. Mike highlights the complexity of inheritance laws in ancient Israel, designed to be as just as possible while accounting for dowries and maintaining tribe boundaries (14:55).

Quote:
“What we have is Moses being glad that the daughters of Zelophehad came before him because he’s like, we want to be just here... honor the Lord, also honor these families and all these people.” — Fr. Mike (17:45)

2. Joshua Appointed as Moses’ Successor

• Scripture Reference: Numbers 27
• God instructs Moses to appoint Joshua, a man "in whom is the spirit," by laying hands on him publicly, transferring leadership and authority.
• Joshua, one of only two faithful spies, is designated to lead Israel into the Promised Land.
• Fr. Mike draws a connection between Joshua ("Yeshua") as a type of Christ, who leads God’s people through the Jordan (baptism) to the promises of God (21:40).

Quote:
“Just like ancient Joshua is the one who leads the people of God into the promised land, the New Testament Yeshua, Jesus himself, is the fulfillment…He leads his people through the waters of baptism into the promised land.” — Fr. Mike (22:50)

3. Prescribed Offerings: Daily, Sabbath, Monthly, and Festival Sacrifices

• Scripture Reference: Numbers 28
• Detailed regulations for daily burnt offerings, Sabbath, monthly offerings, Passover, and Feast of Weeks.
• Emphasis on ongoing, rhythmic worship as a hallmark of Israel’s covenant fidelity.
• Fr. Mike doesn't elaborate deeply on these regulations in this episode, but their read-through underscores the intensity and regularity of Israel's worship life.

4. Blessings for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience

• Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 28
• Moses delivers a lengthy and vivid outline of blessings for faithfulness and devastating curses for abandonment of God's law.
• Blessings include prosperity, protection, fertility, and respect among nations.
• Curses are severe, involving defeat, disease, exile, suffering, and reversal of fortunes.
• Fr. Mike underscores that these are not arbitrary but are tied to the reality of covenant relationship and human choice (24:30).
• God’s justice and the principle that “ultimately we get what we choose” are thematic.

Quote:
“The Lord promises goodness—even if we don’t experience immediate blessings as a consequence of doing good and we don’t experience immediate curses as part of doing evil. And yet, God is just, he is faithful.” — Fr. Mike (25:35)

5. Psalm 112: The Blessings of the Righteous

• Praises those who fear the Lord and live justly.
• Fr. Mike reflects on God’s justice and the call to imitate His steadfastness regardless of circumstances (27:10).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We declare your justice to be just and we declare your goodness to be good—not because you need us or our declaration, but because we need to continue to declare that your justice is right and just and that your goodness is truly good.” — Fr. Mike Praying (26:30)
• “Joshua…Yeshua…Jesus himself is the fulfillment—not only of Moses, not only of David, he's a fulfillment of Joshua.” — Fr. Mike (22:56)
• “Ultimately we get what we choose, which is going to be one of the lessons in Scripture.” — Fr. Mike (25:45)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Introduction & Scriptural Readings: 00:04–07:45
• Inheritance Laws (Zelophehad’s daughters): 07:45–14:55
• Appointment of Joshua: 14:55–21:30
• Offerings and Sacrifices: 21:30–23:10
• Blessings and Curses (Deuteronomy 28): 23:10–25:35
• Psalm 112 & Final Reflection: 25:35–28:00
• Closing Prayer: 26:30–27:30

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike maintains a compassionate, thoughtful, and explanatory tone, speaking directly to listeners, with encouragement and clarity. He expresses gratitude and dependence on prayer—both offering his and requesting the listeners’. The approach is pastoral and gently catechetical, focused on connecting ancient scripture with present-day lives.

Summary Takeaways

• The laws regarding inheritance in Numbers highlight God’s concern for justice and inclusion, even within ancient patriarchal systems.
• The appointment of Joshua foreshadows Christ’s role as leader and savior, with direct typological links.
• Liturgical regularity in offerings shapes Israel’s identity and relationship with God.
• Deuteronomy’s blessings and curses emphasize the stakes of covenant faithfulness and the reality of divine justice.
• Psalm 112 calls believers to righteous living rooted in trust in God, regardless of present circumstances.
• Fr. Mike’s reflections encourage remaining faithful, trusting in God’s ultimate justice and grace.

For listeners new and old, this episode offers both an insightful look into Israel’s history and a spiritual meditation on obedience, leadership, justice, and the promises of God as fulfilled in Christ.