Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 71 of The Bible in a Year podcast, a program brought to you by Ascension that uses the Great Adventure Bible timeline to read through The Bible from Genesis to Revelation over the course of a year.

Today's reading covers Numbers chapter 23, Deuteronomy chapters 24-25, and Psalm 106, continuing the story of Balaam's failed attempts to curse Israel and exploring various laws given to the Israelites.

Father Mike reads from the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition and emphasizes how these ancient texts reveal both God's faithfulness and practical wisdom for organizing community life.

Balaam's Oracles: When Hired Curses Become Blessings

Balak repeatedly tries to get Balaam to curse Israel from different locations, but God puts words of blessing in Balaam's mouth instead.

Balaam declares 'God is not man that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it?' - demonstrating God's unchanging nature.

Despite appearing to obey God in the text, church fathers and New Testament writers view Balaam as 'a man for hire' motivated by payment rather than genuine devotion.

Father Mike notes that 'God uses a bigger donkey in Balaam to speak his words' - referencing yesterday's talking donkey story.

Deuteronomy's Practical Laws: From Marriage to Oxen

The various laws in Deuteronomy chapters 24-25 address real situations that arose among the Israelites, like making up rules for kickball as problems emerge.

Divorce laws specify that a woman cannot return to her first husband after marrying and divorcing a second man, calling this 'an abomination before the Lord.'

Criminal punishment is limited to 40 lashes maximum 'lest your brother be degraded in your sight' - preserving human dignity even in punishment.

The command 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain' shows kindness to working animals, allowing them to eat while laboring.

Social Justice Laws: Caring for the Vulnerable

Harvesting laws require leaving forgotten sheaves, remaining olives, and unpicked grapes 'for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.'

Workers must be paid daily wages 'before the sun goes down, for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it, lest he cry against you to the Lord.'

Loan practices are regulated: lenders cannot enter borrowers' homes to seize collateral, and poor people's cloaks must be returned by nightfall.

The principle 'You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt' motivates compassionate treatment of vulnerable people.

Psalm 106: A Pattern of Rebellion and Redemption

The psalm confesses 'Both we and our fathers have sinned. We have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly' while praising God's enduring mercy.

Israel's pattern includes forgetting God's works, testing Him in the wilderness, worshipping the golden calf, and sacrificing children to demons.

Despite repeated rebellions, God 'remembered for their sake his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his mercy.'

Father Mike emphasizes the psalm's call to 'remember what you have done, remember your faithfulness' as essential spiritual practice.