Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 31 of the Bible in a Year podcast, a daily journey through Scripture using The Great Adventure Bible timeline from Ascension Press. As a Catholic priest, Father Mike guides listeners through the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, helping them encounter God's voice through systematic Bible reading.

This episode covers Exodus 8 (continuing the plagues in Egypt), Leviticus 6 (laws for burnt offerings and sin offerings), and Psalm 48 (praising God's strength in Zion). Father Mike reflects on reaching the one-month milestone of consistent Scripture reading and draws parallels between Pharaoh's procrastination and our own spiritual delays.

The Plague of Frogs and Pharaoh's Procrastination

When Moses offers to remove the frogs, Pharaoh chooses 'tomorrow' instead of immediate relief, demonstrating the human tendency to delay necessary spiritual decisions.

"Be pleased to command me when I am to entreat for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed" - Moses gives Pharaoh the choice of timing.

After the frogs died, "Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and would not listen to them, as the Lord had said."

Divine Power Versus Egyptian Magic

Egyptian magicians successfully replicated the frog plague "by their secret arts" but completely failed to produce gnats from dust.

"The magicians said to Pharaoh, This is the finger of God" - acknowledging their inability to match God's power in creating gnats.

God distinguishes between Egyptian territory and Goshen where Israelites live: "no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord."

Leviticus Laws for Sacred Offerings

Burnt offerings must remain on the altar hearth "all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it."

"Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually, it shall not go out" - emphasizing the perpetual nature of worship.

Priests must wear specific linen garments when handling ashes, then change clothes before carrying ashes "outside the camp to a clean place."

Sin offerings have strict rules: "Whatever touches its flesh shall be holy" and earthen vessels used must be broken afterward.

Scripture as Spiritual Tool and Mirror

Father Mike describes Scripture's threefold function: "Sometimes the Bible is a flashlight...sometimes it is a mirror...and sometimes it's sandpaper."

Pharaoh's procrastination serves as a mirror reflecting our tendency to delay spiritual decisions: "Maybe not today. Maybe I'll just catch up tomorrow."

Day 31 represents a significant milestone - one month of consistent Bible reading using The Great Adventure Bible timeline approach.