Father Mike Schmitz hosts Day 39 of the Bible in a Year podcast, reading from Exodus 21, Leviticus 14, and Psalm 75 using The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press.

The episode tackles challenging biblical passages about slavery laws, ritual cleansing procedures, and divine justice. Father Mike addresses the difficult question of why God appears to regulate rather than condemn slavery in Exodus 21.

He explains that God meets people where they are culturally and gradually elevates their understanding of justice, starting with basic parameters for human treatment rather than expecting immediate cultural transformation.

Ancient Slavery Laws as Divine Pedagogy

Father Mike explains that God's slavery regulations in Exodus 21 represent 'lesson one' - meeting people at their cultural level rather than endorsing the practice permanently.

Ancient slavery differed significantly from modern chattel slavery, often serving as a survival mechanism for people with 'no prospect, nothing to sell, nothing to offer, but I can offer myself.'

The Israelites themselves had suffered under Egyptian slavery for 400 years, making regulated servitude a familiar cultural norm that God begins to transform through justice-based restrictions.

God establishes parameters like the seven-year release rule and protection against arbitrary treatment, teaching that humans 'are not truly your property, but they are a human being who's in your employ.'

Ritual Cleansing Requirements for Leprosy

Leviticus 14 prescribes a complex cleansing ritual involving 'two living clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet stuff with hyssop' for those healed of leprosy.

The ceremony requires killing one bird over running water, then dipping the living bird and materials in the blood before releasing it 'into open field.'

The cleansed person must undergo multiple washings, shave all hair twice, and bring specific offerings including 'two male lambs without blemish' and oil for anointing.

Accommodations exist for the poor, allowing 'two turtle doves or two young pigeons' instead of lambs, demonstrating concern for economic accessibility.

Divine Justice Over Human Power Systems

Psalm 75 declares God's ultimate authority: 'it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another' - contrasting divine justice with human power structures.

Father Mike contrasts biblical justice with ancient Mediterranean cultures where 'power is what rules' and 'utility is what rules' among the gods and goddesses.

God's identity emerges as 'a God of justice' who hears 'the cry of the poor' and demands that human actions be 'rooted in justice' rather than vengeance or utility.

The educational approach resembles teaching mathematics - 'students have to start somewhere' with basic concepts before advancing to higher levels of moral understanding.