Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Episode: Introduction to Desert Wanderings (with Jeff Cavins) (2025) Release Date: February 21, 2025

Presented by Ascension

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of the Desert Wanderings period, Fr. Mike Schmitz welcomes listeners to the fourth phase of the Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Joining him is Jeff Cavins, a renowned Catholic Bible scholar, who delves into the significance of this period as the Israelites embark on their 40-year journey through the wilderness.

Overview of the Desert Wanderings Period

Fr. Mike Schmitz [00:04]:
"The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension. Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today."

Jeff Cavins introduces the Desert Wanderings as a pivotal era, primarily covered in the Book of Numbers, supplemented by Deuteronomy. This period marks the Israelites' transition from slavery in Egypt to their preparation to enter the Promised Land.

Jeff Cavins [01:25]:
"We're going to look at Numbers as the primary narrative book for the desert wanderings. And then in the Bible timeline, it is the color kind of a tan standing for the desert. You know, the desert experience."

Role of Numbers and Deuteronomy

Numbers serves as the main narrative, chronicling the Israelites' experiences and challenges in the desert. Deuteronomy, on the other hand, provides a second set of laws, addressing the Israelites' recurring disobedience and offering guidance for future generations.

Jeff Cavins [02:00]:
"Numbers is the narrative, but Deuteronomy is a second law... filled with wonderful guidance and wisdom for us."

Fr. Mike highlights the dual nature of these books: while Numbers contains recounting and sometimes repetitive narratives, Deuteronomy offers actionable wisdom and laws that are directly applicable to daily life.

Themes and Key Lessons

Testing and Training of Faith

A central theme is the testing of the Israelites' faith and trust in God. Their reluctance to enter the Promised Land, evidenced by the report of the 12 spies, results in a 40-year period of wandering—a time for both testing and training.

Jeff Cavins [05:00]:
"The number 40 is a number of testing... like Lent, it is a number of testing. It's a number of finding out who you really are."

The Shema and Tzitzit

The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) emerges as a foundational declaration of monotheism, emphasizing the importance of loving and trusting the one true God. The discussion also touches on the tzitzit—fringes on garments serving as constant reminders of God's commandments.

Jeff Cavins [16:47]:
"Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord and you shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul and with all of your might."
Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:24]:
"It's like we would have scapulars or we would have a crucifix. I've been claimed by Christ. There's something like that."

Leadership and Responsibility

The conversation explores the themes of leadership through Moses' final speeches and the eventual transition to Joshua. The responsibilities and faults of leaders, such as Moses' inability to enter the Promised Land due to disobedience, are examined.

Jeff Cavins [21:54]:
"He will fulfill everything he's promised. In numbers, chapter 24, we have one of the greatest real prophecies of the coming of Jesus, which is Balaam's prophecy."

Modern Applications

Fr. Mike and Jeff draw parallels between the Israelites' journey and contemporary life. They emphasize the importance of trusting God, teaching children, and living as witnesses to God's singularity amidst a world rife with distractions and idolatry.

Jeff Cavins [17:13]:
"You have to live like there's only one God, me. And you have to teach your children. And your home has to become what Israel called a mikdash ma'at."

Fr. Mike Schmitz [20:20]:
"Be interiorly converted yourself, like, belong fully to the Lord yourself, and pass it on. I see this too."

The discussion underscores the necessity of personal and familial commitment to God's word as a foundation for societal and spiritual success.

Prophecy and Fulfillment

Jeff highlights Balaam's prophecy in Numbers 24:17, which foretells the coming of Jesus. This prophecy serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, showcasing the continuity of God's plan for salvation.

Jeff Cavins [28:10]:
"A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel."

Conclusion and Prayer

As the episode wraps up, Fr. Mike offers a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for the insights shared and requesting strength to remain faithful whether in the Promised Land or the wilderness. Jeff provides a final encouragement to listeners, urging them to embrace the lessons of the desert wanderings in their own lives.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [30:11]:
"We ask that you please... help us to always remember you are faithful to your promises and in our weakness, help us to be faithful to you."

Key Takeaways

• Desert Wanderings is a period of testing and training, emphasizing trust in God.
• Numbers provides the narrative of the Israelites' challenges, while Deuteronomy offers laws and guidance.
• Shema and tzitzit symbolize the centrality of God in daily life.
• Leadership carries immense responsibility, as seen through Moses and his successors.
• Modern believers can draw inspiration to live faithfully and teach the next generation amidst societal challenges.
• Prophecies in Numbers foreshadow the coming of Jesus, linking the Old Testament to the New Covenant.

Notable Quotes

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [00:04]:
  "We encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture."

• Jeff Cavins [02:32]:
  "Numbers is the narrative book... Deuteronomy is the last speech of Moses, and it introduces a number of things."

• Jeff Cavins [15:59]:
  "Shema, Israel, Adonai, Eloheino, Adonai echad. Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord..."

This episode sets the foundation for the Desert Wanderings period, encouraging listeners to deepen their understanding of Scripture and apply its timeless lessons to their daily lives.