A Day Out - The British Museum and the Bible

A Great Day Out : Bible and the British Museum

This past weekend, I was able to go to the British Museum with my eldest daughter and her friend. We went on a journey through what many may completely over-look when visiting. The VAST amount of items that can be found at the British Museum that are evidence of the truth of the Bible are incredible!

The British Museum is a treasure trove of history, offering visitors an incredible opportunity to connect with ancient biblical civilizations, and to see many artifacts that align with and affirm the historical accounts of the Bible. For people who already believe the bible is true and also for history junkies, walking through its halls is like stepping back in time and witnessing the world of the Bible come alive.

When I was young this is how it went...you are sitting there doing your bible readings, making your way through lists of the kings of Israel and Judah and their interactions with other nations around them and it ALL just blurred together. For one, I couldn’t even pronounce some of the names! Tiglath-Pa-what?? Sennach……?? I would sit there and wonder ‘Why are these random people even named?’  One of the most remarkable aspects of the British Museum is that many of those un-pronounceable names from years gone by relate directly to the events, places, and people of the Bible! For example:

• The Cyrus Cylinder: This small clay cylinder records King Cyrus of Persia’s decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples (Ezra 1:1-4). It’s a tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Ezra and Nehemiah!!!
• The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III: This fascinating artifact depicts King Jehu of Israel bowing before the Assyrian king. It’s one of the few physical representations of an Israelite king found outside the Bible. You could be looking at the ONLY known ‘picture’ of someone mentioned in the Bible!!
• The Taylor Prism (Sennacherib's Prism): This Assyrian artifact describes King Sennacherib’s military campaigns, including his siege of Jerusalem during King Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kings 18-19). It corroborates the biblical account of how God miraculously delivered Jerusalem from destruction.
• Ancient Assyrian Reliefs: The museum houses stunning wall panels from the palaces of Assyrian kings, showing the wealth, power, and culture of the empire that played a significant role in biblical history.
• Artifacts from Babylon: Items like bricks with Nebuchadnezzar’s name and inscriptions remind us of the Babylonian exile and figures like Daniel who lived in this empire.

Why is this all so fascinating?! For centuries, sceptics doubted the historical validity of many biblical accounts. But discoveries like these in the British Museum affirm that the Bible isn’t just a spiritual book—it’s a historical one. Names, events, and places mentioned in Scripture can be seen and verified in the artifacts preserved through time.

Visiting the British Museum offers more than just a history lesson—it’s a chance to see God’s Word reflected in the real world. These artifacts are a testament to the Bible’s reliability and the enduring truth of God’s promises.

If you’re planning a visit to London, carve out time to explore the British Museum! Before we went, I looked around online and found a book called "Through the British Museum with the Bible" by OneDay. It was crazy informative and gave good step-by-step instructions on making out way around.

Exhausting as the day was, it was a day that deeped our faith and brought the pages of the Bible to life.