Podcast Summary: Introduction to Desert Wanderings (with Jeff Cavins)

Podcast: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Ascension
Episode: Introduction to Desert Wanderings (with Jeff Cavins) (#2026)
Date: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz is joined by biblical scholar Jeff Cavins to introduce the "Desert Wanderings" period of salvation history, the fourth era in the Great Adventure Bible Timeline. This time frame covers the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as chronicled in the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy. The conversation explores the themes, challenges, and spiritual lessons from this period, focusing on trust, testing, obedience, the Shema, and the connections to the future of Israel and Christian life today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Structure of the Desert Wanderings Period

• Primary Texts: Numbers (narrative), Deuteronomy (“second law”, commentary and instruction) ([01:26]–[02:32])

  • Numbers is the main storyline of the wilderness journey.
  • Deuteronomy provides additional laws and guidance due to the people's hardness of heart.

• Timeline Context: Occurs after the Exodus and before the conquest of Canaan. The color “tan” on the Bible Timeline represents the desert ([01:44]).

2. Narrative Highlights & Thematic Elements

• Key Events in Numbers ([03:44]–[07:37]):

  • The Israelites leave Sinai after one year; receive the tabernacle, priesthood, and law.
  • Spies are sent to Canaan from Kadesh Barnea. Ten out of twelve spies discourage entry; only Joshua and Caleb trust God.
  • As punishment for their lack of trust, Israel is condemned to wander for 40 years—a recurring biblical motif for testing and preparation.
  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [04:58]): “For every day that you are spying out the land, you will wander for a year in this wilderness... 40 years now they’re going to be wandering in the desert. And that’s really the story of the Book of Numbers and this period.”

• Testing and Training in Trust ([07:37]–[08:39]):

  • The desert is both a place of testing and training—learning to trust in God’s provision, moving beyond mere mental assent to deeply rooted faith.

  • Quotation (Fr. Mike, [08:07]): “Would you also say training? Because I like to say that, but... it’s testing, but also I’m being trained in trust.”

  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [08:39]): “God said, I brought you out here in the wilderness... to show you that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

• Change of Generations ([08:39]):

  • All adults over 20 years old die during the wandering, leaving a new generation to enter the Promised Land. Even Moses will not enter.

3. Tangible Reminders of Covenant: The Tzitzit

• Biblical sign of identity and obedience ([09:40]–[11:30]):

  • The Israelites wear tassels (“tzitzit”) on their garments to symbolize the commandments (613) and their identity as God’s people.

  • Contemporary parallels: Scapulars, crucifixes; visible reminders of spiritual identity.

  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [11:27]): “When you see those tzitziot, you are reminded that you are a son, you’re a daughter of the commandments. And this is where you learn to trust God.”

4. Notable Moments in Numbers

• Other Rituals and Stories ([12:24]–[15:47]):

  • Nazarite vow, leadership by 70 elders, the bronze serpent (a foreshadowing of Christ), the priestly blessing (Numbers 6: The Lord bless you and keep you...).

  • Numbers 33: A recap of all Israel’s journeys—a summary for reflection.

  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [12:56]): “This [Numbers 6 blessing] was a blessing that I said over my daughters every day before they went to school... that blessing becomes a major theme in the narrative now.”

5. Theological Theme: Living Among Idolatry & Key Teachings of Deuteronomy

• Deuteronomy’s Structure and Key Message ([15:47]–[17:31]):

  • Retells the Israelites’ past and anticipates their future, preparing them to enter a land (Canaan) full of idolatry and foreign practices.

  • Moses offers “the key” to faithfulness: The Shema and diligent pass-down of faith.

  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [16:00]): “The most famous verse in the entire Bible for the Jewish people... Deuteronomy 6.4... Shema, Israel, Adonai Eloheino, Adonai echad. Hear O Israel. The Lord our God is one Lord...”

• Shema: Loving and Serving One God ([16:47]):

  • Absolute loyalty to the one true God is the foundation for Israel’s—and the Church’s—future success.

6. The Importance of Family and Passing on the Faith

• Diligent Teaching ([17:31]–[20:20]):

  • Parents are commanded to teach God’s laws to their children at all times, making the home a “mikdash ma’at” (small temple) consecrated to God’s law.

  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [19:13]): “If you want to be successful, you’ve got to live like there’s only one God, me. And you have to teach your children, and your home has to become... a small temple where you worship me. You teach your children. That is the key to success.”

• Personal Conversion and Evangelization ([20:35]–[21:54]):

  • True faith begins with personal conversion, which then overflows to family and community.
  • It’s never too late to begin again.

7. Foreshadowing Israel’s Kings & Their Downfall

• Deuteronomy 17:14 and Lessons for the Future ([21:54]–[24:03]):

  • Moses’ warnings about the qualifications for the future king: must not accumulate many horses, many wives, or excessive wealth.

  • These guidelines will be ignored, leading to the downfall of Saul, David, and especially Solomon.

  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [23:28]): “You must not have multiple horses, you must not have many wives, and you shall not greatly multiply silver and gold... we’ll see later in the story how this became a downfall for Israel.”

8. Key Passages and Lessons for Listeners

• Suggested Focus Passages ([25:13]–[27:03]):
  • Deuteronomy 24: Provision for divorce (referenced by Jesus).
  • Deuteronomy 16: Pilgrimage feasts—precedents for coming to worship and for the Mass as spiritual pilgrimage.
  • Numbers 33: Journey recap, helps track the narrative.
  • Reminders that Jesus fulfills and transforms the law.

9. Moses’ Fatherly Heart and Prophetic Vision

• Moses as Shepherd and Prophet ([27:03]–[29:10]):

  • Moses’ final speeches reflect deep love: both encouragement and warning, knowing the people’s weaknesses.

  • The Old Testament is Christ-centered, and even the Book of Numbers prophesies Christ (Numbers 24:17, Balaam’s oracle).

  • Quotation (Jeff Cavins, [28:27]): “A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel... there is one coming that’s going to make sense out of all this and fulfill all of this..."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:58] Jeff Cavins: “For every day that you are spying out the land, you will wander for a year in this wilderness... 40 years now they’re going to be wandering in the desert.”
• [08:39] Jeff Cavins: “God said, I brought you out here in the wilderness... to show you that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
• [11:27] Jeff Cavins: “When you see those tzitzit, you are reminded that you are a son, you’re a daughter of the commandments.”
• [16:00] Jeff Cavins: “Shema, Israel, Adonai Eloheino, Adonai echad. 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 your soul and with all your might.”
• [19:13] Jeff Cavins: “You’ve got to live like there’s only one God... and your home has to become... a small temple where you worship me. You teach your children. That is the key to success.”
• [23:28] Jeff Cavins: “You must not have multiple horses, you must not have many wives, and you shall not greatly multiply silver and gold... we’ll see later in the story how this became a downfall for Israel.”
• [28:27] Jeff Cavins: “A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel... there is one coming that’s going to make sense out of all this...”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:04 – Introduction & transition to the Desert Wanderings
• 01:26 – Structure of the period: Numbers & Deuteronomy
• 03:44 – The role of genealogies and numbering; why “boring” passages matter
• 04:58 – The spy story, consequences, and motif of “40” as testing
• 07:37 – The purpose of wandering: trust, identity, and trial
• 09:40 – Exodus to Deuteronomy: commandments and the tzitzit as ongoing reminders
• 12:24 – Famous moments in Numbers: Nazirite vow, bronze serpent, priestly blessing
• 15:47 – The two keys from Deuteronomy for thriving in a land of idolatry
• 16:00 – The Shema: Israel’s core proclamation of faith
• 17:31 – Passing on the faith: homes as small temples
• 21:54 – Deuteronomy’s prophecy about kings and the future downfall of Israel
• 25:13 – Additional key passages and why they matter
• 27:03 – Moses’ final speech and its tone of paternal urgency and hope
• 28:27 – Balaam’s prophecy: Messianic hope in Numbers

Conclusion

Fr. Mike and Jeff Cavins close by encouraging listeners to see the desert not just as a time of dryness, but as one of formation, invitation to deeper trust, and attentiveness to God’s Word. The lessons of the Desert Wanderings remain vital for Christians today, especially in challenging times—be it wandering, hardship, or spiritual testing. Through trust, obedience, and diligent teaching in the home, the story of salvation continues in each believer’s life.

Memorable Closing Thought ([29:47]–[30:11]):
“If you’re listening to this during one of the most unusual times in American history... like Deuteronomy, it can be a desert. Listen to what the Lord is saying to you... Don’t waste it.” — Jeff Cavins

For the next episode, listeners are encouraged to bring new insight to their reading of Numbers and Deuteronomy, seeing in these stories their own journey of trust, failure, redemption, and hope in God’s faithfulness.