Father Mike Schmitz hosts The Bible in a Year podcast on day 82, reading from The Bible using The Great Adventure Bible timeline from Ascension. He covers the conquest and judges period, specifically focusing on Book of Joshua chapters 5-7 and Book of Psalms 125.

The episode explores Israel's entry into the Promised Land, beginning with the circumcision of all males who had been born during the 40-year wilderness journey. Father Mike examines the fall of Jericho through divine intervention and the tragic consequences of Achan's disobedience.

The narrative connects to broader themes of covenant renewal, cosmic spiritual warfare, and God's promise of redemption. Father Mike references future readings from Book of Hosea that promise transformation of shame into hope, while also drawing connections to stories from Book of Genesis.

Covenant Renewal Through Circumcision in the Promised Land

Upon entering the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to circumcise all Israelite males who had been born during the 40-year wilderness journey, as none had been circumcised during that time.

This circumcision represented breaking free from the history of slavery in Egypt and renewing the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob established in Book of Genesis.

The timing required tremendous trust, as circumcised men would be vulnerable to attack, similar to the story in Book of Genesis where Simeon and Levi killed the men of Shechem after they were circumcised.

"This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you" - God's declaration after the circumcision was completed at Gilgal.

Divine Provision Transitions from Manna to Promised Land Produce

Israel celebrated Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho, marking their first Passover in the Promised Land.

The manna ceased the day after Passover when they ate produce from the land, ending 40 years of supernatural provision in the wilderness.

This transition represented God's continued care in a different form - from miraculous daily provision to blessing the work of their hands in the Promised Land.

Joshua's Vision Reveals Cosmic Battle Beyond Human Warfare

When Joshua encountered the commander of the Lord's army and asked "Are you for us or for our adversaries?", the angel simply answered "No."

Father Mike explains this reveals the wrong question - instead of asking if God is on our side, we should ask if we're on God's side, echoing Abraham Lincoln's insight.

The vision revealed this wasn't merely warfare against other peoples, but a cosmic battle against principalities and powers, as St. Paul would later describe.

The Canaanite cultures practiced human sacrifice to Moloch and built societies upon wickedness and degradation of human dignity.

Jericho's Miraculous Fall Through Divine Intervention

God commanded Israel to march around Jericho once daily for six days, then seven times on the seventh day with trumpets and shouting.

"The wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him" - the miraculous collapse after following God's precise instructions.

Only Rahab and her household were spared because she had hidden the Israelite spies, demonstrating God's mercy within judgment.

All silver, gold, bronze, and iron were devoted to the Lord's treasury, while everything else was destroyed as devoted to destruction.

Achan's Sin Brings Defeat and Costly Justice

Achan secretly took "a beautiful mantle from Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels" from Jericho's devoted items.

His disobedience caused Israel's defeat at Ai, resulting in 36 Israelite deaths and the people's hearts melting "like water."

God revealed Achan's sin through a systematic process of elimination by tribe, family, and household until he was identified.

Achan and his entire household were executed and stoned, with the place named Valley of Achor, meaning "trouble" or "shame."

Father Mike emphasizes this wasn't a triumphant moment but a tragic necessity that the Israelites viewed with sorrow, not celebration.

Promise of Redemption: Transforming Shame into Hope

Book of Hosea chapter 2 promises that God will transform the Valley of Achor from a place of trouble and shame into "a door of hope."

Father Mike applies this personally: "Every one of us has a valley of Achor" - places of shame, trouble, or wounds that seem permanent.

"I can take this valley of trouble, this valley of shame, and I can transform it into a door of hope" - God's promise of redemption for surrendered pain.

The prayer invitation: surrender our valleys of trouble to God for transformation, trusting His power to redeem even our lowest moments.