Overview of Day 74: Joshua Appointed (2026)
Father Mike Schmitz reads and reflects on Numbers 27–28, Deuteronomy 28, and Psalm 112. The episode covers (1) the case of Zelophehad’s daughters and the inheritance ruling that grants daughters land when no sons exist, (2) Moses’ commissioning of Joshua as his successor, (3) the sacrificial/ritual schedule in Numbers 28 (daily, Sabbath, monthly, Passover, Feast of Weeks), (4) the long catalogue of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28, and (5) Psalm 112’s praise of the righteous. Father Mike ties these readings into narrative and pastoral themes: justice, leadership succession, ritual life, covenant blessings/curses, and the typology linking Joshua (Yehoshua) to Jesus (Yeshua).
Key passages summarized
- Numbers 27:1–11 — The five daughters of Zelophehad (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, Tirzah) appeal for their father’s inheritance. God rules in their favor: if a man dies without sons, his inheritance goes to his daughters (then to brothers, paternal uncles, and nearest kin if no daughters).
- Numbers 27:12–23 — God instructs Moses to appoint a leader; Moses lays hands on Joshua son of Nun, commissioning him publicly and transferring some authority so the people will obey.
- Numbers 28 — Detailed prescriptions for sacrificial worship: the continual daily offerings (two year-old lambs morning and evening), Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, Passover and seven-day Feast offerings, and the Feast of Weeks offerings; includes specifics of animals, grain offerings, and drink offerings.
- Deuteronomy 28 — Long set of covenantal promises:
- Blessings for obedience: prosperity, fertility, victory over enemies, abundant rain, status among nations, and being “the head and not the tail.”
- Curses for disobedience: defeat, disease, exile, loss of produce and livestock, siege and famine, social breakdown, servitude to foreign nations, and being scattered among the nations.
- Psalm 112 — Portrait of the righteous who fear the Lord: generous, steady, prosperous, unafraid of evil tidings; their righteousness endures, and the wicked’s hopes come to naught.
Main takeaways and themes
- Justice and inclusion: The Zelophehad incident shows God’s concern for equitable inheritance and the willingness of Israel’s legal order to address petitions for justice—even from women—within ancestral-land systems.
- Succession and continuity: Joshua’s public commissioning provides leadership continuity. The rite (laying on of hands, public investiture) anticipates biblical patterns of commissioning and foreshadows messianic typology.
- Ritual structure matters: Numbers 28 records how Israel’s communal and calendar worship is structured—daily, weekly, monthly, and festival sacrifices demonstrate ongoing covenant relationship and dependence on God.
- Covenant fidelity is consequential: Deuteronomy 28 frames obedience and disobedience in stark terms—blessings follow faithful covenant-keeping; ruin and exile follow apostasy. The text is pastoral and covenantal, intended to motivate covenant faithfulness before entering the land.
- Typology: Joshua (Yehoshua) as the one who leads Israel into the land prefigures Jesus (Yeshua) leading his people into the promised “land” (baptism and new life). Father Mike highlights how New Testament themes echo these Old Testament patterns.
- God’s justice vs. timing of blessing: God is just and faithful; blessings/curses are real, though their timing or manifestation may not be immediate or straightforward.
Notable quotes from the episode
- “The congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.” (Numbers — instruction for appointing a leader)
- “Take Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit…” (commissioning language)
- “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments.” (Psalm 112)
- Father Mike’s pastoral line: “God is just. He is faithful and ultimately we get what we choose.”
Practical reflections / action items
- Personal reflection prompts:
- Where do I see God calling me to faithful obedience in my life?
- How do I respond to requests for justice in my community—especially from those with weaker social standing?
- What leadership transitions in my life need prayerful blessing and intentional commissioning?
- Spiritual practices:
- Read/deepen study of Numbers 27–28 and Deuteronomy 28 to see covenant structure and legal details.
- Pray Psalm 112, asking to grow in generosity, steadiness, and trust.
- Pray for current leaders and for those preparing to lead; consider the model of public commissioning and blessing.
- Social application: Consider how ancient inheritance rules sought to preserve family land while protecting daughters’ rights; reflect on modern practices that promote fair access to property and economic security for women and vulnerable groups.
Context & connections
- Genre/context: Numbers is a narrative of Israel’s wilderness journey; Deuteronomy is Moses’ final speech (a “second law”) recapping law and covenant before entry into Canaan.
- Legal and social logic: The inheritance ruling balances patriarchal land transmission with protections for daughters—reflecting the importance of family land continuity and the need for equitable remedies.
- Biblical typology: Joshua’s role as military and covenant leader typologically points forward to Jesus (Yeshua), who leads people into covenant life through baptism and fulfillment of God’s promises.
Closing pastoral note (from Father Mike)
Father Mike emphasizes prayer for one another, fidelity to God’s commandments regardless of immediate reward, and trust in God’s justice. He closes asking listeners to pray for him as he prays for them and invites them to return for the next day’s reading.