Father Mike Schmitz hosts this Bible in a Year podcast episode, day 65, reading from Numbers 16, Deuteronomy 15-16, and Psalm 97 using The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press and the Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition.

The episode centers on themes of rebellion against God's appointed authority and divine justice, beginning with Korah's revolt in Numbers 16 where Levites challenged Moses and Aaron's priestly authority, resulting in divine judgment that swallowed the rebels alive.

The Deuteronomy passages shift focus to social justice and worship, outlining the sabbatical year laws for debt forgiveness, care for the poor and servants, and the three major annual festivals that required pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Korah's Rebellion Against Priestly Authority

Korah, from the Kohathite family of Levites who served closest to God's presence, led 250 leaders in challenging Moses and Aaron's exclusive priestly role, saying 'You have gone too far, for all the congregation are holy.'

Moses' immediate response was prayer - 'when Moses heard it, he fell on his face' - before proposing the incense test to determine God's chosen priests - Father Mike

God's judgment was swift and dramatic: 'the ground under them split asunder, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up... they went down alive into Sheol.'

Even after witnessing this divine judgment, the people continued rebelling, leading to a plague that killed 14,700 before Aaron's intercession stopped it by standing 'between the dead and the living.'

The Addiction to Past Bondage

Dathan and Abiram described Egypt as 'a land flowing with milk and honey' - the same phrase used for the Promised Land - revealing their addiction to familiar slavery over uncertain freedom.

Father Mike draws parallels to modern life: 'So often we can look back on our past, even if that was a past of sin... and say, yeah, but you know, I mean, it was really fun.'

This represents how people become 'addicted to their past' and 'addicted to this comfort' even when it was a place of bondage - Father Mike citing Jeff Cavins

Sabbatical Year Laws and Care for the Poor

Every seventh year required complete debt forgiveness: 'Every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor... because the Lord's release has been proclaimed.'

God's vision was comprehensive social justice: 'there will be no poor among you, for the Lord will bless you in the land' if they obey His commandments.

Hebrew servants served maximum six years and were freed with generous provisions: 'You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press.'

Generosity must be wholehearted: 'You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him.'

The Three Major Festivals of Worship

All Hebrew males were required to appear before God three times yearly: at Passover (Feast of Unleavened Bread), Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), and Tabernacles (Feast of Booths).

Each festival included specific provisions for the marginalized: 'you and your son and your daughter, your manservant and your maidservant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.'

The festivals combined worship with social responsibility, ensuring 'They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed' and that everyone could participate in the celebration.

Justice and Righteous Judgment

Local judges must maintain absolute integrity: 'You shall not pervert justice, you shall not show partiality, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise.'

The standard is uncompromising: 'Justice, and only justice you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God gives you.'

Psalm 97 reinforces God's character: 'righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne' and 'The Lord loves those who hate evil.'