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

Episode: Day 76: War Against Midian (2026)
Date: March 17, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

On Day 76, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through challenging passages focusing on the Israelites’ war with the Midianites (Numbers 31), Moses’ exhortation to “choose life” (Deuteronomy 30), and the thanksgiving expressed in Psalm 116. Through readings and reflection, Fr. Mike confronts the disturbing violence in Scripture and draws out spiritual lessons for contemporary faith, emphasizing God’s invitation to choose life and fidelity. He also reveals the liturgical richness of Psalm 116 in Catholic worship.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Context and Recap (00:04–03:10)

• Fr. Mike opens with the day’s readings: Numbers 31, Deuteronomy 30, Psalm 116.
• Notes the podcast follows The Great Adventure Bible Timeline and encourages listeners to keep up daily.
• Sets the scene: Israel has five days left in the “desert wanderings” period before entering the Promised Land and encountering the next biblical phase—Conquest and Judges.

2. The War Against Midian (Numbers 31) – Disturbing Obedience (03:11–09:30)

• Summary of the Passage:
  • God commands Moses to exact vengeance on the Midianites for leading Israel into idolatry and immorality.
  • 12,000 Israelite men, one thousand from each tribe, go to war.
  • Complete destruction: all Midianite males and kings are slain, including Balaam; women and children are taken captive; Moses insists all women who had relations with men and male children be killed due to their role in leading Israel into sin.
  • Spoils, captives, and goods are meticulously divided according to God’s instructions.
• Fr. Mike’s Commentary:
  • Calls the passage “troubling”:

    “So again, more troubling readings in Numbers, chapter 31. What does the Lord command through Moses?... That’s one of the reasons why the warfare there is like, kill everybody. I mean, which is really hard for us.” (13:12)

  • Explains the context: Refers back to Numbers 25, where Israel had fallen into idolatry through sexual immorality with the Midianites:

    “We forgot that way back in chapter 25. The people of Israel had been false, right? They had worshiped the Baal of Peor...” (14:03)

  • Clarifies the dramatic violence is not God’s ultimate will but responds to the spiritual weakness and susceptibility of Israel:

    “It’s not because God wanted everyone to die. That is not the case...that kind of warfare would not have existed if the people of Israel had been faithful.” (15:25)

3. God’s Real Desire: Not Death, but Life (Deuteronomy 30) (09:31–14:40)

• Powerful Message of Hope:
  • God’s ultimate desire is for Israel to prosper through obedience and relationship.

    “See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil... Therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and clinging to him...” (citing Deut 30:15, 19)

  • God promises restoration and compassion—even after failure and exile.
  • The nearness and attainability of God’s command:

    “It is not in heaven... But the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” (Deut 30:12-14, paraphrased)

• Fr. Mike’s Reflection:
  • Emphasizes that Scripture must be read in context:

    “We can never just take a moment out, a text out of context. We have to read Scripture in its entirety. And what God reveals is that, no, I’m the God of the living. I’m the God who loves everyone.” (16:29)

  • Anticipates God’s words in the Book of Wisdom:

    “I did not make death. And he does not rejoice in the destruction of the living.” (17:12)

4. "Complete Destruction" as a Drastic Spiritual Lesson (14:41–18:00)

• Why Such Harsh Commands?
  • Fr. Mike explains the severity (“total destruction”) is due to Israel’s frailty—they were easily led astray, susceptible to idolatry.

    “It is only because of the weakness of the people of Israel that Moses commands that all of the people of Midian be destroyed. It’s a hard word for us. It’s not necessarily a good word, but it is the word that is needed... for the last time, they are weak. And that’s us.” (18:20)

  • Draws a parallel with listeners today:
    • Just as Israel had to root out influences leading them from God, Christians must address what “steals our heart away from the Lord.”

    “There are things in my life that steal my heart away from the Lord. And I tolerate their presence...if I allow these things I know rob my heart from the Lord, then I have to be willing to end them, willing to get rid of them...” (19:10)

5. Psalm 116: Thanksgiving and the Eucharist (18:01–20:55)

• Psalm 116 as Eucharistic Psalm:
  • Fr. Mike highlights its role in priestly and Catholic prayer, tying “sacrifice of thanksgiving” to the Eucharist.

    “‘What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the chalice of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.’ This is what we do at every single Mass.” (20:20)

  • Reveals the Greek word for thanksgiving (“Eucharistia”):

    “We offer up the sacrifice of Eucharistia. We offer up the Eucharist at every Mass and call on the name of the Lord.” (21:07)

  • Encouragement for baptized listeners—kingdom priests—to unite with this sacrifice at Mass.

6. Takeaways and Encouragement (20:56–End)

• Difficult Readings, Steadfast Faith:
  • Acknowledges that some passages will be hard to understand or accept.
  • Encourages listeners not to give up, but to trust that God reveals his heart more deeply over time.

    “My encouragement is, don’t let this stop you. Don’t let this slow you down. We trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, knowing that even if we don’t understand all of God’s words in this moment, if we keep on moving, he reveals his heart more deeply and more deeply every day.” (22:10)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It’s not because God wanted everyone to die. That is not the case... that kind of warfare would not have existed if the people of Israel had been faithful.”
  (15:25, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• “I did not make death. And he does not rejoice in the destruction of the living...”
  (17:12, Fr. Mike Schmitz, paraphrasing Wisdom)

• “What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the chalice of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.”
  (20:20, Fr. Mike Schmitz quoting Psalm 116)

• “We offer up the sacrifice of Eucharistia. We offer up the Eucharist at every Mass and call on the name of the Lord.”
  (21:07, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• “Don’t let this stop you. Don’t let this slow you down. We trust in the Lord with all of our hearts, knowing that even if we don’t understand all of God’s words in this moment, if we keep on moving, he reveals his heart more deeply and more deeply every day.”
  (22:10, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Helpful Timestamps

• 00:04 — Introduction, Bible plan context
• 03:11 — Numbers 31 reading: War against Midian
• 09:31 — Deuteronomy 30: God’s faithfulness, call to choose life
• 14:41 — Fr. Mike’s reflection on troubling violence and spiritual application
• 18:01 — Psalm 116: Thanksgiving, Eucharist connection
• 20:56 — Final encouragement and closing prayer

Final Thoughts

Fr. Mike tackles some of the most difficult themes in Scripture with candor and compassion, connecting ancient struggles with idolatry to the modern listener’s spiritual journey. He offers honest wrestling with the text, encourages ongoing trust in God, and spotlights the deep relevance of the Eucharist for daily Christian life. This episode stands as an invitation to face challenging scriptures faithfully, always reading with an eye toward God’s ultimate desire—to choose life, receive mercy, and worship in gratitude.