It’s National Bible Month! I didn’t really know we had this ”holiday” here in the Philippines, but it says so in a poster I saw on the The Filipino Homeschooler, along with the invitation to visit The Bible Museum during the month of January.
The Bible Museum is located along United Nations Avenue in Manila, right across the National Police District. If you’re wondering if it’s near the Philippine Bible Society building, that’s exactly it.
What to see at the Bible Museum
The Bible Museum is a neat, but very small museum. Once you enter, you will be greeted by several huge boards that will help you understand the history of the Bible and the people you read about in it.
In the middle are glass cases where a handful of meaningful artifacts are placed. According to the staff who assisted us (the tour guide was not available when we came), these artifacts were contributed to them from Israel.
The widow’s mite
There was a sample of the widow’s mite in in Luke 21: 1-4.
In the story, the widow had nothing but gave all that she had – a small coin, as an offering. Her faith was commended by Jesus over those that gave plenty but only cost them a fraction of their entire wealth.
As you can see in this picture, the coin was indeed very small.
Popular spices and the Widow’s coin (inside the circular glass in the box on the right)
The oil lamp
Then there was the oil lamp which was mentioned in The Parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25: 25-13.
The parable was all about the 10 virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not bring extra jars of oil. The wise ones brought both their lamps and jars of oil because they knew that they will be waiting a long time.
The foolish virgins had to run off to buy more oil, but doors were shut on them because the bridegroom arrived while they were gone and the banquet had started without them.
The oil lamp. See how small it is? That’s why you need to bring an extra jar of oil!
The horn
And then there was the horn that was used to gather people or to signal war. It looks nothing like the animal horns in my Bible picture books .
This one is made of metal and is beautifully designed.
We weren’t able to touch it but it didn’t look light. It looks like something the priests carried before the ark of the covenant.
A horn used by the Hebrews
Papyrus
There was also a video prepared to show how papyrus was made. Papyrus was what they used for paper during those days. After the video, the kids were allowed to touch and feel one.
Did you know that it takes 30 days to complete making one?
Mezuzah (məˈzo͝ozə). The Israelites carved Bible verses in them and hung them on their doors.
Miniature model of the Tabernacle where Israelites brought their sacrifices for the priests for offering.
The next room
The next room was a small cave-like space where they displayed different pottery. The lady didn’t tell us if these were artifacts, but it was nicely presented.
We were led to a room full of Bibles of different versions, produced in different years. All these Bibles were behind glass so we could only admire them from behind it.
Costumes
The last room had different costumes that you guests could try on and have photos of.
I got a little teary eyed seeing the Pharaoh’s headdress and the multi-colored robe hanging at the rack when I entered. The story of Joseph has always had a special place in my heart.
I urged the kids to try on the costumes and they gamely posed for pictures.
Why go to The Bible Museum
The Bible Museum in Manila is one of the only three Bible Museums in the world. The other two are in the United States of America and in Korea.
I haven’t been to the other two, but this one is very small.
There may be not so many things to see in there, but the ones we did see were worth seeing. There’s just something about historical pieces that connects you to the past.
And in this case, this past is significant to every Christian who has come to know salvation that is in Christ.
The Bible Museum accepts walk-ins every Fridays and Saturdays this January. Basic entrance fee is PHP 50, but there are tours that you can avail for your groups.
To know more about it, please visit The Bible Museum’s website.
”For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” 1 Corinthians 1:18.