Father Mike Schmitz hosts this Bible in a Year podcast episode, reading from Genesis chapters 16-17, Job chapters 5-6, and Proverbs 1:20-33 using the Great Adventure Bible timeline.

The episode covers Abraham and Sarah's covenant with God, including the institution of circumcision and God's promise of Isaac. It also explores Job's suffering and his friends' inadequate responses, highlighting themes of surrender, control, and the need for presence over answers in times of difficulty.

Hagar's Story and the Consequences of Taking Control

Sarai suggests Abram take Hagar as a wife to bear children, but within five verses she's angry at him for following her plan - 'she's yelling at him for doing what she told him to do' - Father Mike

The angel of the Lord tells Hagar her son will be 'a wild donkey of a man, his hand against every man, and every man's hand against him'

Hagar calls God 'You are a God of seeing' after encountering the angel, asking 'Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?'

The Covenant and Name Changes at Age 99

God changes Abram's name to Abraham ('father of a multitude') and Sarai to Sarah when establishing the everlasting covenant

Abraham was 99 years old when circumcised, Ishmael was 13 - circumcision serves as the physical sign of covenant surrender to God's dominion

God promises Isaac will be born to 100-year-old Abraham and 90-year-old Sarah, causing Abraham to 'fall on his face and laugh'

The covenant includes the land of Canaan as 'an everlasting possession' for Abraham's descendants

Job's Suffering and Friends' Inadequate Responses

Eliphaz argues that God only punishes wrongdoers, telling Job to admit his sin, but Job maintains his innocence

Job responds that his friends are 'treacherous as a torrent bed' and questions why they don't offer kindness instead of judgment

'Sometimes the people who love us the most understand us the least' - Father Mike explains Job's isolation despite having friends present

The lesson is that 'sometimes the people in our lives don't need our answers as much as they just want us to be present' - Father Mike