Overview of Day 26: God Responds to Job (2026)
Father Mike Schmitz (Ascension) reads and reflects on Genesis 49–50, Job 41–42, and Psalm 17 as part of the Bible in a Year (Great Adventure timeline). This episode closes the Genesis/patriarchs period and focuses on three central moves in Scripture: Jacob’s final blessings (including the messianic promise through Judah), Joseph’s forgiveness and providential perspective, and God’s response to Job—ultimately revealing himself as the answer to suffering. Psalm 17 frames the episode as a prayer for vindication and protection.
Readings covered (brief)
- Genesis 49–50
- Jacob blesses his twelve sons (notably the promise to Judah).
- Jacob’s burial in Machpelah; Joseph comforts and forgives his brothers; Joseph’s death and burial instructions.
- Job 41–42
- God’s description of Leviathan (a powerful, untamable creature) and a series of divine questions.
- Job’s confession, repentance, and humility; God rebukes Job’s friends, instructs sacrifices and prayer; Job’s fortunes restored and long life granted.
- Psalm 17
- David’s plea for God’s vindication, protection from enemies, and hope to behold God’s face.
Key passages & what they mean
- Genesis 49:8–12 (Judah)
- Jacob prophesies leadership and kingship descending from Judah: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah...” — interpreted messianically (David and ultimately Jesus).
- Genesis 50:19–21 (Joseph)
- “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good…” — Joseph articulates how God can bring good from human wrongdoing; a model of forgiveness and trust in God’s providence.
- Job 41 and 42:1–6
- God answers Job not by explaining suffering but by revealing divine majesty and presence; Job’s proper response is awe, repentance, and trust: “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
- Psalm 17
- A model prayer for protection and vindication that echoes themes of trust and reliance on God in the face of persecution.
Main takeaways & theological insights
- Messianic promise in the patriarchal narrative:
- Jacob’s blessing of Judah anticipates Israelite kingship and ultimately Christ’s kingship—Scripture’s continuity toward a royal, salvific fulfillment.
- Providence and the problem of evil:
- Joseph’s testimony exemplifies “God’s permissive will”: God permits human freedom (and evil) but can bring about a greater good; trust in God’s overarching plan is central.
- God’s response to suffering:
- The book of Job does not offer a tidy logical answer for why suffering happens. Instead, God’s response is to reveal Himself. The core answer to the “problem of pain” is God’s presence—ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s solidarity with the suffering (the cross).
- Restoration and reconciliation:
- Genuine repentance, prayer, and God’s mercy lead to restoration (as with Job and his friends; Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers).
Notable quotes
- “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)
- Job’s confession: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted... I had heard of you by hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1–6)
- Psalm 17 refrain: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
Practical applications / action items
- When facing suffering or injustice, practice trust: remember that God can bring good from evil even when we don’t understand the reason.
- In conflict, aim for forgiveness and reconciliation modeled by Joseph—refuse to take God’s place in judgment.
- In seasons of pain and unanswered questions, seek God’s presence (prayer, Scripture, the face of Christ) rather than only intellectual explanations.
- Use Psalm 17 as a personal prayer for vindication and protection when feeling persecuted or falsely accused.
Episode highlights & pastoral emphasis
- Father Mike highlights three focal points:
- Judah’s blessing as a prophetic pointer to Davidic and messianic kingship.
- Joseph’s perspective on providence and forgiveness (“you meant it for evil…”).
- Job’s encounter: God answers suffering not by explanation but by revealing Himself; the crucified Christ is God’s ultimate solidarity with human suffering.
- Transition note: this episode closes the patriarchal era; tomorrow begins the Egypt/Exodus period (Exodus, Leviticus, continued Psalms).
God blesses listeners with encouragement to keep praying for one another as the podcast continues the reading plan.