Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 66 of The Bible in a Year podcast, reading from The Bible using the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition and The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press.

Today's readings cover Numbers chapter 17, Deuteronomy chapters 17-18, and Psalm 98, exploring themes of divine authority, proper worship, and prophetic promises.

The episode addresses Aaron's miraculous rod, legal requirements for witnesses, limitations on future kings, prohibited occult practices, and a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate prophet like Moses.

Aaron's Rod Confirms Divine Authority

God commanded Moses to collect twelve rods from tribal leaders and place them in the tent of meeting, promising that the chosen leader's rod would sprout.

Aaron's rod for the house of Levi 'had sprouted and put forth buds, and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds' - Father Mike

This miracle definitively established that only Aaron's family from the tribe of Levi could serve as priests, ending the people's rebellious murmuring.

Biblical Justice Requires Multiple Witnesses

Capital punishment for idolatry required testimony from two or three witnesses, not just one accuser to prevent false accusations.

The witnesses themselves had to throw the first stones, ensuring they couldn't 'pawn this off to someone else' - Father Mike

This system represented God's wisdom in transitioning from 'might makes right' to a just legal framework with built-in safeguards.

Future Kings Face Divine Restrictions

The Bible prophetically outlines limitations for Israel's future monarchy: kings cannot multiply horses, wives, or wealth for themselves.

'He shall not multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away' - a warning that would prove prophetic with Solomon's downfall.

Solomon's 300 wives and 700 concubines fulfilled this exact warning, as 'his heart turns to serve other gods' - Father Mike

Kings were required to write and read God's law daily to remain humble and obedient to divine authority.

Moses Prophesies the Coming Messiah

In Deuteronomy 18, Moses declares: 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren'

'Ultimately, that prophet like Moses is our Lord Jesus' - Father Mike identifies this as a messianic prophecy

Jesus fulfills this role as the final prophet who leads believers into their baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and king.

Worship Standards and Prohibited Practices

Only unblemished animals could be sacrificed to God, establishing the principle that 'we give God our best' - Father Mike

Divination, sorcery, necromancy, and consulting mediums were declared 'abominations to the Lord' and strictly forbidden.

These worship standards from The Bible reveal 'how the Lord desired to be worshipped in the past' and inform present worship - Father Mike