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Verse 20
Theosis · English Bible
Tobit

Tobit 1

Old TestamentTheosis · English Bible

1The book of the words of Tobit, the son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe of Nephthali; 2who in the time of Enemessar king of the Assyrians was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser. 3I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the way of truth and justice, and I did many alms-deeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians. 4And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel, being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, and, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages. 5Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal. 6But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree, having the first-fruits and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron. 7The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem: 8and the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Debora my father's mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father. 9Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias. 10And when we were carried away captives to Nineve, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the Gentiles. 11But I kept myself from eating; 12because I remembered God with all my heart. 13And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor. 14And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media, ten talents of silver. 15Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Media. 16And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry, 17and my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him. 18And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he was come, and fled from Judea, I buried them privily; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they were sought for of the king. 19And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear. 20Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias. 21And there passed not fifty days, before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararath; and Sarchedonus his son reigned in his stead; who appointed over his father's accounts, and over all his affairs, Achiacharus my brother Anael's son. 22And Achiacharus intreating for me, I returned to Nineve. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, and keeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts: and Sarchedonus appointed him next unto him: and he was my brother's son.

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Tobit 1:20

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)19th century

Tobit performed many acts of kindness for his fellow Jews; he provided sustenance for the hungry and garments for the needy, and he buried the destitute. Yet, for these good deeds, he faced plunder from adversaries and risked his own life. Once freed from peril, he boldly resumed his altruistic actions. However, through an unforeseen incident connected to these deeds, he lost his eyesight and fell into poverty. Where is the rescue that the Lord promises to those who do good in times of distress? This deliverance seems postponed, only to manifest in a more extraordinary manner. The angel Raphael guides Tobit's son, blesses him with a joyful union, grants him wealth, and restores his father’s sight. Through these experiences, more than mere words, he teaches Tobit, Edna, Tobiah, and us the value of prayer accompanied by fasting and charitable giving, emphasizing that doing good is far superior to accumulating material riches. Tobit, in his own words, expresses, “Many alms are done to my brethren and to my tongue. My bread I give to the hungry, and my garments to the naked, and if any of my kin I see dead, and cast out of the walls of Nineveh, I will bury him.” He metaphorically “shut up his alms in his cage,” or stored his generosity in the divine treasury. We see if that treasure is safeguarded and whether it ultimately protects him. He laments, “All my possessions were plundered, and nothing was left to me.” Furthermore, the compassionate act of burying the slain was what led to his loss of sight. What do we conclude from this? Did his benevolence ultimately lead him astray, much like his wealth? Certainly not! The divine treasury, which had kept his goodness and prosperity concealed, was opened by an angel; through this act, Tobit regained his sight, his fortunes, his family’s well-being, and enjoyed a long and serene life, attributing all of this to his charitable deeds. “Children, behold, almsgiving works and truth delivers,” he proclaimed in his final words. This reflects his message on the feast day commemorating the most devout Emperor Nicholas Pavlovich, delivered in the Mariinsky Church of the Imperial Widow's House, marking the fiftieth anniversary of this charitable institution.