AI Summary
5 min readOn day 204 of the Bible in a Year, Father Mike Schmitz reads from Zephaniah 1 and 2, Isaiah 28 and 29, and Proverbs 11:9–12. The episode’s central concern is the nature of the “Day of the Lord”—a coming judgment that is both terrifying and purifying—and the specific failures that bring it about. Father Mike unpacks the prophet Zephaniah’s five indictments against Judah, showing how each one is not merely a surface sin but a rupture in the people’s relationship with God.
The Danger of Drunkenness and the Darkening of the Intellect
In Isaiah 28, the prophet begins by condemning the drunkenness of Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel). Father Mike uses this to explain why drunkenness is considered a grave sin. He draws a sharp distinction between the blessing of wine, which “gives joy to men’s hearts,” and the sin of drunkenness. The problem is not the drink itself, but what drunkenness does to a person made in God’s image. The fall brought three consequences: a darkening of the intellect, a weakening of the will, and an attraction to sin (concupiscence). Drunkenness, Father Mike argues, “emphasizes all three of those things. It emphasizes all three consequences of the fall.” When drunk, a person cannot think clearly, cannot choose wisely, and is drawn to things they would normally avoid. The prophet’s warning to Ephraim is that living in this state—perpetually dulled and
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:03) **Podcast Introduction & Day's Reading** - Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the episode, introduces the Bible in a Year podcast, and lists the day's readings: Isaiah 28-29, Zephaniah 1-2, and Proverbs 11:9-12.
- 2 (00:47) **Starting Zephaniah & Isaiah 28** - Fr. Mike notes Zephaniah is a four-chapter book of prophecy and begins reading Isaiah 28.
- 3 (01:05) **Isaiah 28: Warning to Drunkards of Ephraim** - The prophecy condemns the drunkenness of Ephraim (the northern kingdom) and its leaders, contrasting it with the Lord as a "crown of glory" for the remnant.
- 4 (03:06) **Isaiah 28: Scoffers & the Precious Cornerstone** - The passage shifts to Jerusalem's rulers who make a "covenant with death," and God declares he will lay a "precious cornerstone" in Zion—a sure foundation for those who believe.
- 5 (04:39) **Isaiah 28: The Farmer's Wisdom** - A parable about a farmer who does not plow continually but uses different methods for different crops, illustrating that God is "wonderful in counsel" and acts in his own time.
- 6 (05:23) **Isaiah 29: The Siege of Ariel (Jerusalem)** - Isaiah prophesies against "Ariel" (Jerusalem), describing a siege and the people's spiritual blindness, where they honor God with lips but hearts are far from him.
- 7 (07:40) **Isaiah 29: Hope for the Future** - The chapter concludes with a promise of restoration: the deaf shall hear, the blind see, and the meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
As we begin reading the Book of Zephaniah, Fr. Mike draws our attention to the first five accusations Zephaniah declares against the people of Judah: idolatry, lack of prayer, poor leadership, superstitions, and lack of belief in God's judgment. Today we read Isaiah 28-29, Zephaniah 1-2, and Proverbs 11:9-12.
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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