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

Episode: Day 85: Fighting for Each Other
Date: March 26, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Overview

Day 85 of “The Bible in a Year” walks listeners through Joshua chapters 12-14 and Psalm 129. Fr. Mike Schmitz both reads and contextualizes these passages, exploring the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan, the distribution of land, and the deep challenges presented by these sections of Scripture. He addresses the “troubled times” of Joshua—the violence and destruction—by reflecting on their meaning within salvation history and offers pastoral guidance on how to understand God’s fidelity, Israel’s calling, and the ultimate plan for harmony and unity among people.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historical Context and Joshua’s Conquests

• Joshua 12: Lists kings and lands conquered by Moses and Joshua, emphasizing God’s faithfulness in delivering the land.
• Joshua 13-14:
  • Joshua is “old and advanced in years” (17:33) and there’s still land to possess; God’s work through Israel is ongoing.
  • Specific lands are allotted to the tribes, with unique mention of the Levites, whose inheritance is “the Lord himself.”
  • The story of Caleb, now 85 but still strong, asking Joshua for the hill country promised him (20:11).

2. Moral and Theological Challenges of Violence in the Conquest

• Fr. Mike acknowledges the difficulty modern listeners have with the brutality described, emphasizing:
  • “This is not meant to be whitewashing of history … These are troubled times and it was not part of God’s original plan. His original plan was peace, harmony with Himself, with each other, with creation.” (25:52)
• He explains three key points to understand the theological rationale:
  1. Judgment for Moral Corruption:
     • The Canaanites’ practices (“two kinds of corruption”), especially sexual immorality (referenced in Leviticus 18) and child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12), are cited as reasons for divine judgment.
  2. Hyperbolic Language of Total Destruction:
     • The biblical commands to “destroy everyone” are described as a form of ancient hyperbole.
       • “It’d be very hard to do business with someone or marry someone that has been completely destroyed.” (27:54)
     • Contradictions in the text (e.g. total destruction vs. later mention of survivors in Joshua 15) suggest the language is not literal but meant to emphasize the seriousness of the plight.
  3. Limited, Not Universal, Warfare:
     • The violence is restricted to Canaan and not a permanent or universal mandate. God’s ultimate aim is reconciliation and harmony.
     • “God’s will is the union of people, harmony back with each other, harmony within ourselves, harmony above all with him.” (29:05)

3. Reflection on God’s Relationship With Israel

• The division of land highlights God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises, but also Israel’s ongoing task to trust and follow Him.
• Special focus on Caleb's faithfulness:
  • “I am this day 85 years old. I am still as strong to this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me. … So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day.” (20:11)
  • Caleb exemplifies wholehearted faith and perseverance.

4. Prayer and Personal Application

• The episode concludes with a prayer of gratitude for God’s self-revelation through Scripture and a petition for continued transformation and unity:

  • “We ask you to please continue to reveal your heart to us that we can reveal our hearts to you. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (22:44)

• Fr. Mike encourages listeners to “keep fighting for each other,” urging mutual prayer and support as the year (and the reading plan) continues.

  • “Let us keep fighting for each other. Let’s keep praying for each other. Let’s keep holding each other up.” (30:24)

Memorable Quotes

• On the challenge of conquest narratives:
  • “Not only was this not part of God's original plan, his original plan was peace, right? Harmony in ourselves, harmony with each other, in harmony with God. And now here we live in this broken and divided world.” (25:45)
• On the hyperbolic language of destruction:
  • “We’re looking at hyperbole here, that no man was left alive, no woman was left alive, no children were left alive. That is hyperbole.” (28:42)
• On God’s ultimate vision:
  • “God’s will is not the destruction of someone who believes something differently, but God’s plan, His will is the union of people, harmony back with each other.” (29:05)
• On perseverance and faith:
  • [Caleb:] “I am still as strong to this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me. … So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day.” (20:11)
• On community and support:
  • “Let us keep fighting for each other. Let’s keep praying for each other. Let’s keep holding each other up.” (30:24)

Notable Timestamps

• 00:04-04:20 — Introduction, reading plan instructions and passages for the day
• 04:21-17:48 — Scripture reading: Joshua 12-14 and Psalm 129
• 18:00 — Prayer of gratitude and invocation
• 21:30 — Deep dive into the context and challenges of Conquest narratives
• 25:45 — Explanation of God’s original plan and the “troubled times”
• 27:54 — Explaining hyperbole in ancient battle narratives
• 29:05 — God’s ultimate plan of reconciliation and harmony
• 30:24 — Final exhortation: “keep fighting for each other”

Conclusion

This episode situates the conquest of Canaan within the broader biblical story, reminding listeners that God’s story is ultimately one of love, transformation, and unity. Fr. Mike navigates tough theological issues with honesty and pastoral care, leaving listeners challenged, comforted, and motivated to persevere together in faith and prayer.