AI Summary
5 min readOn day 180 of The Bible in a Year, Father Mike Schmitz reads 2 Kings 13–14, Amos 7–9, and Psalm 124. The episode’s central argument emerges not from the historical narrative of Israel’s kings, but from the prophet Amos’s confrontation with the northern kingdom. Father Mike identifies a single, uncomfortable spiritual mechanism: the way we treat time set apart for God reveals the true orientation of our hearts. The strongest evidence comes from Amos 8, where the prophet condemns merchants who cannot wait for the Sabbath and new moon festivals to end so they can return to selling grain—even as they trample the poor with dishonest scales. Father Mike uses this passage to draw a direct line to a common contemporary experience: the impulse to rush through prayer or worship in order to get back to our own priorities.
The prophet’s diagnosis: impatience with God’s time
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **Podcast Intro & Support Appeal** - Fr. Mike thanks listeners and announces ongoing efforts to expand the podcast to YouTube and other languages, asking for listener support to keep it free.
- 2 (01:08) **Episode Opening & Reading Plan** - Fr. Mike introduces Day 180, noting the readings: 2 Kings 13-14, Amos 7-9, and Psalm 124.
- 3 (02:14) **2 Kings 13: Jehoahaz & Jehoash of Israel** - The chapter recounts the reigns of two evil kings, their oppression by Syria, and Elisha’s final prophecy.
- 4 (06:12) **2 Kings 14: Amaziah of Judah & Jeroboam II of Israel** - Amaziah rules righteously but imperfectly, defeats Edom, then foolishly provokes war with Israel and loses.
- 5 (10:28) **Amos 7: Visions of Locusts, Fire, and the Plumb Line** - Amos intercedes for Israel, and God relents from judgment twice, then a plumb line symbolizes the nation’s unfitness.
- 6 (12:57) **Amos 8: The Basket of Summer Fruit & Famine of God’s Word** - The vision signals Israel’s end; God condemns their greed and exploitation of the poor.
- 7 (14:56) **Amos 9: Destruction, Captivity, and Restoration** - No one can escape God’s judgment, but the book ends with a promise to restore David’s fallen booth and replant Israel.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
As we conclude the book of Amos, we hear Amos rebuke the people for grudgingly giving their time to God, as in prayer or on the sabbath, and counting the minutes until they could do whatever they wanted. Fr. Mike points out that if we don't give our hearts and minds to God, we won't be able to stand heaven, where prayer and praise are everlasting. The readings are 2 Kings 13-14, Amos 7-9, and Psalm 124.
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.
Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
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