This is Episode 9 of Bible Rebel’s 10-part ‘Bible 101’ series. It’s about seven minutes in length and briefly covers the exceptions to the principle of understanding scripture in a strict literal sense.
You can find the complete 10-part series here.
“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.”
― Hans Christian Andersen
Well said, Hans.
I’ve found the secret: train your mind to see even the most mundane things for what they are – miraculous works of God.
From the tiniest being in existence to the vast splendor of a starry night, it’s all meant to show the glory and wonder of our loving Creator.
Here are some interesting and insightful quotes about the fourth book of the Bible, Numbers.
“Numbers reminds us that spiritual progress requires trust and obedience. Israel’s wanderings reveal that unbelief stalls the journey, but God’s patience endures even in the midst of human failure.”
“In Numbers, we see a God who walks with His people even when they complain, rebel, and wander. Grace is not a New Testament invention—it’s woven throughout the wilderness story.”
“Numbers is a book of transition—from promise to fulfillment. It shows that while God prepares His people for blessing, He also forms them through discipline, shaping them into a covenant community.”
“The Book of Numbers reveals the seriousness of sin and the faithfulness of God. The wilderness becomes a classroom where God teaches His people to trust His word above their fears.”
What was the religious faith of the Pilgrims?
The Pilgrims were predominantly English Separatists, a branch of the Puritan movement within Protestant Christianity.
Separatists believed the Church of England was too corrupt to reform and chose to break away entirely (unlike other Puritans who sought to reform it from within).
Their faith was deeply Protestant, emphasizing personal Bible reading, simple worship without liturgy or ritual, covenant community life, and strong moral discipline.
The Pilgrims were mainly Puritan Separatists — English Protestant Christians who left the Church of England to practice their faith freely.
The kidnappings, murder, and ongoing Christian persecution happening in Nigeria right now is an alarming reminder of the darkness and evil in our current age.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (KJV)
The roaring lion remains loose in Nigeria.
According to a January 2025 report by Open Doors, Nigeria topped the world’s list for the number of Christians killed (3,100) and kidnapped (2,830) in 2024 — far more than any other country. Catholic News Agency
A watchdog group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), estimated that in the first seven months of 2025 alone, over 7,000 Christians were killed and around 7,800 abducted. wng.org
In state-level incidents earlier in 2025: for instance, “Fulani herdsmen” reportedly killed five Christians during a Bible study in Kaduna. CBN
In response to mounting pressure, the Nigerian government has denied systematic persecution claims, characterizing reports as distortions propagated by “foreign lobbyists.” Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom. The Nigerian Inquirer
Gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papyri, Niger State, and abducted 303 pupils and 12 teachers — one of the largest mass kidnappings recorded in Nigeria. Victims were both male and female. TIME
This attack came in a week that also saw other kidnappings and church attacks. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) issued alarm, and the incident has increased international scrutiny on Nigeria’s ability to protect religious minorities. TIME
On November 20, 2025, a coalition of Nigerian Christian and civil-society groups publicly urged the U.S. government to intervene, warning that the ongoing targeted killings, mass displacements, and destruction of Christian communities may amount to genocide. International Christian Concern
Their appeal signals a growing belief among Nigerian Christians that the violence is not random or isolated — but rather a systematic and sustained campaign against them. This raises major human rights, diplomatic, and security concerns. International Christian Concern
As watchdogs we need to be aware of current spiritual trends in our culture so that we can boldly and pointedly proclaim our faith in Jeshua our Messiah as the antidote to darkness, nihilism, and occultism.
CNN is currently reporting on the popularity of witchcraft among the among the population.
“Witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism are more popular than ever, with some estimates topping 2 million practitioners in the US. CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan met with modern witches to discover what they’ve found in witchcraft that they haven’t elsewhere.”
Here’s the intro video to their full report (which is apparently behind a paywall.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIWZhsVNo9A&t=26s
CNN reports that there may now be 2 million or more people in the U.S. identifying as witches, pagans, or Wiccans.
The story follows modern practitioners and explores why people are drawn into witchcraft today — for some, it’s disillusionment with organized religion; for others, it’s community, healing, or a more personal spiritual path. Modern Ghana
It also looks at how witchcraft is being reimagined in contemporary culture (not just as fantasy or superstition). Modern Ghana
Also, Time recently did an article on the rise of witchcraft in modern America.
An excerpt from the piece:
“Although the practice of witchcraft is not new—people have long turned to the occult for cosmic intervention during difficult times—this trend is unique because the practice of hiring witches to do spellwork is no longer considered taboo.”
Forewarned is forearmed, fellow watchdogs.
This post was originally published on in April, 2025 and updated on November 22,2025.
Howdy, I trust all is well with you as you sit here on death row with the rest of us.
Someone recently asked me why an all-loving and all-powerful God would hide and allow for so many folks to doubt His existence.
The so called ‘hiddenness of God’, which has been debated in philosophical/theological discussions for a long time, raises the question of why God doesn’t just make His presence undeniably clear to everyone.
Do we ask why the clockmaker doesn’t show himself every time we look at a big, beautiful grandfather clock? Nope. Because the clock is proof of the clockmaker.
God isn’t hidden, you can see Him everywhere you look.
Psalm 19:1-2 – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (KJV)
How can any intelligent person look at the creation and not see the Creator? So, no, God is not hidden – people who claim He is are in denial.
Romans 1:19-21 – Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Not only has God revealed Himself through the Book of Creation, He has also shown Himself perfectly through the written Word of God, the Bible, and in complete fullness by the Word made flesh, Jeshua our Messiah, the only begotten son of God.
Even so, I understand the argument: Why doesn’t God just do a bunch of magic tricks for everyone all the time so that they will see Him and love Him?
Well, part of the answer to that question is imbedded in the question itself. See if you can figure it out before our next little chat when we’ll dig a little deeper into the hiddenness of God.
Until then,
Your fellow death row occupant
It seems evident to me that the universe and our wonderful world couldn’t possibly be the result of random coincidence. True science points directly at a Creator. So does simple common sense.
Here are four examples of how God has fine tuned His creation.
Life depends on an exact set of conditions in the subatomic world:
Some interesting and insightful quotes about the third book of the Bible, Leviticus.
“Leviticus teaches us that holiness is not an abstract concept but a way of life, shaping how we live, how we love, and how we treat one another.”
— Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the UK
“In Leviticus God shows that true worship must begin with atonement. Without reconciliation to God, nothing we do can be pleasing in His sight.”
— John Calvin, Reformer and theologian
“Leviticus forms the vital foundation for understanding Jesus’ work. Its sacrifices and purity codes point forward to the healing, forgiveness, and restoration He brings.”
— N.T. Wright, New Testament scholar and bishop
“Though many parts of Leviticus appear obscure to us, the whole book points to Christ, the true sacrifice and our great High Priest.”
— Matthew Henry, Bible commentator
Bind your goals to your values.