Father Mike Schmitz hosts The Bible in a Year podcast, reading from The Bible using the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition and the Great Adventure Bible timeline. The podcast is produced by Ascension and takes listeners through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, showing how the salvation story unfolds.

On day 53, Father Mike reads from Numbers chapter 2, Deuteronomy chapter 2, and Psalm 85. Numbers provides detailed organization of Israel's camp structure, while Deuteronomy offers Moses's retrospective narrative of the 38-year wilderness journey. The readings cover the precise arrangement of the 12 tribes around the tabernacle and God's instructions for peaceful passage through family territories.

Sacred Geography: Israel's Camp Around God's Presence

The 12 tribes camped in specific positions around the tabernacle - Judah to the east, Reuben to the south, Ephraim to the west, and Dan to the north, with the Levites surrounding God's presence in the center.

Total numbered Israelites reached 603,550, organized by families and tribal leaders, with Judah's camp being largest at 186,400 and marching first.

This organization transformed former slaves into 'a people who have the strength to be free' by giving them identity, order, and centering God in everything they did.

Judah Goes First: The Theology of Praise

Judah, meaning 'praise,' was positioned first to march and first into battle, teaching the principle that 'praise goes up first' in daily life.

Nashon, son of Aminadab, led Judah's tribe and appears in The refref-book-the-gospel-of-matthewrefref-book-the-gospel-of-matthewGospel of Matthew's genealogy connecting Abraham to Jesus through the tribe of Judah.

Though Judah was Jacob's fourth son, not the firstborn, he received the birthright blessing that 'the blessing to the whole world would come through the tribe of Judah.'

Family Boundaries: God's Faithfulness to All Descendants

God commanded Israel not to attack the Edomites (Esau's descendants) or Ammonites (Lot's descendants), saying 'they're your family' and 'I gave them this land.'

Moses recounts: 'These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, you have lacked nothing' as they purchased food and water rather than taking by force.

The 38-year wilderness period ended when 'the entire generation, that is, the men of war, had perished from the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them.'

Wrestling with Biblical Violence: God's Heart Revealed

Father Mike acknowledges discomfort with biblical violence, urging listeners to 'be comfortable with being uncomfortable' while promising explanations will come.

The Book of Wisdom reveals God's nature: 'God does not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.'

'We live in a broken world and in a violent world' where God works within reality rather than desiring violence for its own sake.

The family of God includes 'great times' and 'big fights,' 'heroes' and 'scoundrels,' 'moments of glory' and 'moments of shame' - Father Mike promises 'it all is going to make sense.'