Revenge of Nebuchadnezzar on the nations of the West

Following his victory, Nebuchadnezzar remembered his promise of revenge against the nations to his west, because they had disobeyed him in not helping him in his other war campaign. So Nebuchadnezzar plotted revenge with his second-in-command Holoferness. The strategy was a cruel invasion, plunder and explusion of the people in those nations to the west. Holoferness carried out his kings commands, and the passage records names of various places that have been conquered.



Judith 2 The Expedition against the West
In the eighteenth year, on the twenty-second day of the first month, there was talk in the palace of Nebuchadnez′zar king of the Assyrians about carrying out his revenge on the whole region, just as he said. 2 He called together all his officers and all his nobles and set forth to them his secret plan and recounted fully, with his own lips, all the wickedness of the region;[a] 3 and it was decided that every one who had not obeyed his command should be destroyed. 4 When he had finished setting forth his plan, Nebuchadnez′zar king of the Assyrians called Holofer′nes, the chief general of his army, second only to himself, and said to him,

5 “Thus says the Great King, the lord of the whole earth: When you leave my presence, take with you men confident in their strength, to the number of one hundred and twenty thousand foot soldiers and twelve thousand cavalry. 6 Go and attack the whole west country, because they disobeyed my orders. 7 Tell them to prepare earth and water, for I am coming against them in my anger, and will cover the whole face of the earth with the feet of my armies, and will hand them over to be plundered by my troops,[b] 8 till their wounded shall fill their valleys, and every brook and river shall be filled with their dead, and overflow; 9 and I will lead them away captive to the ends of the whole earth. 10 You shall go and seize all their territory for me in advance. They will yield themselves to you, and you shall hold them for me till the day of their punishment. 11 But if they refuse, your eye shall not spare and you shall hand them over to slaughter and plunder throughout your whole region. 12 For as I live, and by the power of my kingdom, what I have spoken my hand will execute. 13 And you—take care not to transgress any of your sovereign’s commands, but be sure to carry them out just as I have ordered you; and do not delay about it.”

Campaign of Holofernes
14 So Holofer′nes left the presence of his master, and called together all the commanders, generals, and officers of the Assyrian army, 15 and mustered the picked troops by divisions as his lord had ordered him to do, one hundred and twenty thousand of them, together with twelve thousand archers on horseback, 16 and he organized them as a great army is marshaled for a campaign. 17 He collected a vast number of camels and asses and mules for transport, and innumerable sheep and oxen and goats for provision; 18 also plenty of food for every man, and a huge amount of gold and silver from the royal palace. 19 So he set out with his whole army, to go ahead of King Nebuchadnez′zar and to cover the whole face of the earth to the west with their chariots and horsemen and picked troops of infantry. 20 Along with them went a mixed crowd like a swarm of locusts, like the dust of the earth—a multitude that could not be counted.

21 They marched for three days from Nin′eveh to the plain of Becti′leth, and camped opposite Becti′leth near the mountain which is to the north of Upper Cili′cia. 22 From there Holofer′nes[c] took his whole army, his infantry, cavalry, and chariots, and went up into the hill country 23 and ravaged Put and Lud, and plundered all the people of Rassis and the Ish′maelites who lived along the desert, south of the country of the Chel′leans. 24 Then he followed[d] the Euphra′tes and passed through Mesopota′mia and destroyed all the hilltop cities along the brook Abron, as far as the sea. 25 He also seized the territory of Cili′cia, and killed every one who resisted him, and came to the southern borders of Japheth, fronting toward Arabia. 26 He surrounded all the Mid′ianites, and burned their tents and plundered their sheepfolds. 27 Then he went down into the plain of Damas′cus during the wheat harvest, and burned all their fields and destroyed their flocks and herds and sacked their cities and ravaged their lands and put to death all their young men with the edge of the sword.

28 So fear and terror of him fell upon all the people who lived along the seacoast, at Sidon and Tyre, and those who lived in Sur and Oci′na and all who lived in Jam′nia. Those who lived in Azo′tus and As′calon feared him exceedingly.

Nebuchadnezzar defeats Arphaxad and captures Ecbatana

The first chapter of Judith is an interesting read which fills in the historical narrative during the Assyrian and Babylonian periods. At this time, it seems that Nebuchadnezzar has conquered Assyria (Nineveh) and is known as the king of the Assyrians, if this is the same Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who defeated Judah.

There appears to be another king, Arphaxad, who ruled Medes and it seems he is famous for building / fortifying a great city called Ecbatana. Nebuchadenezzar decided to go to war against Arphaxad and managed to convince the local people around the Tigris and Euphrates to join him in the war. He also called the people / nations around the extended region to join him. The region extended as far as Jerusalem, Egypt and Ethiopia. These nations would have heard of him but not under his rule yet, and so they refused.

Nebuchadnezzar was furious that the nations did not join him and vowed to destroy them. Perhaps this was the basis of his later conquest and extension of the Babylonian empire. Nebuchadnezzar had a decisive victory over Arphaxad and captured Ecbatana. The victory celebration lasted 120 days, perhaps signifying how important this victory was.


Judith 1

Arphaxad Fortifies Ecbatana
1 In the twelfth year of the reign of Nebuchadnez′zar, who ruled over the Assyrians in the great city of Nin′eveh, in the days of Arphax′ad, who ruled over the Medes in Ecbat′ana— 2 he is the king who built walls about Ecbat′ana with hewn stones three cubits thick and six cubits long; he made the walls seventy cubits high and fifty cubits wide; 3 at the gates he built towers a hundred cubits high and sixty cubits wide at the foundations; 4 and he made its gates, which were seventy cubits high and forty cubits wide, so that his armies could march out in force and his infantry form their ranks— 5 it was in those days that King Nebuchadnez′zar made war against King Arphax′ad in the great plain which is on the borders of Ragae. 6 He was joined by all the people of the hill country and all those who lived along the Euphra′tes and the Tigris and the Hydas′pes and in the plain where Ar′ioch ruled the Elymae′ans. Many nations joined the forces of the Chalde′ans.

Nebuchadnezzar Issues Ultimatum
7 Then Nebuchadnez′zar king of the Assyrians sent to all who lived in Persia and to all who lived in the west, those who lived in Cili′cia and Damas′cus and Leb′anon and Antileb′anon and all who lived along the seacoast, 8 and those among the nations of Carmel and Gil′ead, and Upper Galilee and the great Plain of Esdrae′lon, 9 and all who were in Samar′ia and its surrounding towns, and beyond the Jordan as far as Jerusalem and Bethany and Chel′ous and Kadesh and the river of Egypt, and Tah′panhes and Ra-am′ses and the whole land of Goshen, 10 even beyond Tanis and Memphis, and all who lived in Egypt as far as the borders of Ethiopia. 11 But all who lived in the whole region disregarded the orders of Nebuchadnez′zar king of the Assyrians, and refused to join him in the war; for they were not afraid of him, but looked upon him as only one man,[a] and they sent back his messengers empty-handed and shamefaced.

Arphaxad Is Defeated
12 Then Nebuchadnez′zar was very angry with this whole region, and swore by his throne and kingdom that he would surely take revenge on the whole territory of Cili′cia and Damas′cus and Syria, that he would kill them by the sword, and also all the inhabitants of the land of Moab, and the people of Ammon, and all Judea, and every one in Egypt, as far as the coasts of the two seas. 13 In the seventeenth year he led his forces against King Arphax′ad, and defeated him in battle, and overthrew the whole army of Arphax′ad, and all his cavalry and all his chariots. 14 Thus he took possession of his cities, and came to Ecbat′ana, captured its towers, plundered its markets, and turned its beauty into shame. 15 He captured Arphax′ad in the mountains of Ragae and struck him down with hunting spears; and he utterly destroyed him, to this day. 16 Then he returned with them to Nin′eveh, he and all his combined forces, a vast body of troops; and there he and his forces rested and feasted for one hundred and twenty days.

Tobit's End Time Prophecy

The story of Tobit fills in the gaps between the invasion of Israel by the Assyrians, whose capital is Nineveh, and the times when the Assyrians themselves is defeated by the Babylonians - whose king Nebuchadnez′zar is mentioned here.

Tobit lived to 158 years old and he warned his descendents to leave Nineveh because he believed Jonah's prophecy from God about the destruction of Nineveh is true. Tobias, son of Tobit, lived to 127 years old and heard of the destruction of Nineveh. So Tobias had obeyed his father and left Nineveh with is family, and settled in his father-in-laws place.

There was mention of alms giving and how effective of alms giving is, though this would be challenged by the Protestants. There was a story between the father and adopted son Nadab and Ahikar, where one led another into darkness, but in the end one was saved while the other fell.

Tobit also prophesied about the diaspora and the return of the Israelites. He also mentioned the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple in glory and the future era when all gentiles in the world would abandon their idols and come to worship at Jerusalem. These prophecies perhaps span across different time periods, including the rebuilding of the Temple, and later on the reign of our Lord Jesus on earth where every nation will gather in worship.





14 Tobit’s Final Counsel
 Here Tobit ended his words of praise. 2 He was fifty-eight years old when he lost his sight, and after eight years he regained it. He gave alms, and he continued to fear the Lord God and to praise him. 3 When he had grown very old he called his son and grandsons, and said to him, “My son, take your sons; behold, I have grown old and am about to depart this life. 4 Go to Media, my son, for I fully believe what Jonah the prophet said about Nin′eveh, that it will be overthrown. But in Media there will be peace for a time. Our brethren will be scattered over the earth from the good land, and Jerusalem will be desolate. The house of God in it will be burned down and will be in ruins for a time. 5 But God will again have mercy on them, and bring them back into their land; and they will rebuild the house of God,[a] though it will not be like the former one until the times of the age are completed. After this they will return from the places of their captivity, and will rebuild Jerusalem in splendor. And the house of God will be rebuilt there with a glorious building for all generations for ever, just as the prophets said of it. 6 Then all the Gentiles will turn to fear the Lord God in truth, and will bury their idols. 7 All the Gentiles will praise the Lord, and his people will give thanks to God, and the Lord will exalt his people. And all who love the Lord God in truth and righteousness will rejoice, showing mercy to our brethren.

8 “So now, my son, leave Nin′eveh, because what the prophet Jonah said will surely happen. 9 But keep the law and the commandments, and be merciful and just, so that it may be well with you. 10 Bury me properly, and your mother with me. And do not live in Nin′eveh any longer. See, my son, what Nadab[b] did to Ahi′kar who had reared him, how he brought him from light into darkness, and with what he repaid him. But Ahi′kar was saved, and the other received repayment as he himself went down into the darkness. Ahi′kar[c] gave alms and escaped the deathtrap which Nadab[d] had set for him; but Nadab[e] fell into the trap and perished. 11 So now, my children, consider what almsgiving accomplishes and how righteousness delivers.” As he said this he died in his bed. He was a hundred and fifty-eight years old; and Tobi′as[f] gave him a magnificent funeral. 12 And when Anna died he buried her with his father.

Death of Tobit and Anna
Then Tobi′as returned with his wife and his sons to Ecbat′ana, to Rag′uel his father-in-law. 13 He grew old with honor, and he gave his father-in-law and mother-in-law magnificent funerals. He inherited their property and that of his father Tobit. 14 He died in Ecbat′ana of Media at the age of a hundred and twenty-seven years. 15 But before he died he heard of the destruction of Nin′eveh, which Nebuchadnez′zar and Ahasu-e′rus had captured. Before his death he rejoiced over Nin′eveh.

Tobit's Thanksgiving and Prophetic Jerusalem

After realizing the great magnitude of blessings that God had endowed upon him and his family, Tobit wrote the prayer of Thanksgiving below. The words of praise are consistent with many of the praise of other Israelites from the Old Testament. Perhaps one thing that stood out is the description of the extravagance of Jerusalem. Although Jerusalem would have been quite magnificent in the times of Solomon, the description of Jerusalem using precious stones, gold and jewels suggest this may be a prophetic view of Jerusalem and not too different from the eternal Jerusalem described in Revelation.


Tobit 13: Tobit’s Thanksgiving to God
Then Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing, and said:
“Blessed is God who lives for ever,
    and blessed is his kingdom.
2 For he afflicts, and he shows mercy;
    he leads down to Hades, and brings up again,
    and there is no one who can escape his hand.
3 Acknowledge him before the nations, O sons of Israel;
    for he has scattered us among them.
4 Make his greatness known there,
    and exalt him in the presence of all the living;
because he is our Lord and God,
    he is our Father for ever.
5 He will afflict us for our iniquities;
    and again he will show mercy,
and will gather us from all the nations
    among whom you[a] have been scattered.
6 If you turn to him with all your heart and with all your soul,
    to do what is true before him,
then he will turn to you
    and will not hide his face from you.
But see what he will do with you;
    give thanks to him with your full voice.
Praise the Lord of righteousness,
    and exalt the King of the ages.
I give him thanks in the land of my captivity,
    and I show his power and majesty to a nation of sinners.
Turn back, you sinners, and do right before him;
    who knows if he will accept you and have mercy on you?
7 I exalt my God;
    my soul exalts the King of heaven,
    and will rejoice in his majesty.
8 Let all men speak,
    and give him thanks in Jerusalem.
9 O Jerusalem, the holy city,
    he will afflict you for the deeds of your sons,
    but again he will show mercy to the sons of the righteous.
10 Give thanks worthily to the Lord,
    and praise the King of the ages,
    that his tent may be raised for you again with joy.
May he cheer those within you who are captives,
    and love those within you who are distressed,
    to all generations for ever.
11 Many nations will come from afar to the name of the Lord God,
    bearing gifts in their hands, gifts for the King of heaven.
Generations of generations will give you joyful praise.
12 Cursed are all who hate you;
    blessed for ever will be all who love you.
13 Rejoice and be glad for the sons of the righteous;
    for they will be gathered together,
    and will praise the Lord of the righteous.
14 How blessed are those who love you!
    They will rejoice in your peace.
Blessed are those who grieved over all your afflictions;
    for they will rejoice for you upon seeing all your glory,
    and they will be made glad for ever.
15 Let my soul praise God the great King.
16 For Jerusalem will be built with sapphires and emeralds,
    her[b] walls with precious stones,
    and her towers and battlements with pure gold.
17 The streets of Jerusalem will be paved[c] with beryl and ruby and stones of Ophir;
18     all her lanes will cry ‘Hallelujah!’ and will give praise,
    saying, ‘Blessed is God, who has exalted you for ever.’”

Raphael reveals himself as one of God's seven angels

In this chapter, Raphael finally revealed that he is an angel of God. Before that, Tobit and Tobias thought he was a man whom they hired to journey with Tobias on his mission. During this mission, Raphael had fulfilled the main goal of helping recover the trust money, as well a many other things like showing how to cast out the demons around Sarah, healing Tobit and more. So they decided to give him half the treasures brought back by Tobias.

The angel revealed his identity and gave them advise to continue to praise God in all things. There is also some mention of almsgiving - that it is good to give alms than to hoard treasure for oneself. Jesus and the Old Testament have also taught about being generous. This chapter goes a bit further and says "almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin". Perhaps this is the controversial part that resulted in this book not being canonized. For it is our Lord Jesus himself that can deliver us from death and purge away every sin by his sacrifice on the cross.

A lot more is also revealed about Raphael in this chapter. He is one of seven of God's angels who presents the prayers from people to God. Raphael mentions that he heard the prayers of Tobit and Sarah, and also recognize the good deeds such as Tobit burying the dead without hesitation, at the beginning of this book.






Tobit 12:  Raph′ael’s Wages
Tobit then called his son Tobi′as and said to him, “My son, see to the wages of the man who went with you; and he must also be given more.” 2 He replied, “Father, it would do me no harm to give him half of what I have brought back. 3 For he has led me back to you safely, he cured my wife, he obtained the money for me, and he also healed you.” 4 The old man said, “He deserves it.” 5 So he called the angel and said to him, “Take half of all that you two have brought back.”

Raph′ael’s Exhortation
6 Then the angel[a] called the two of them privately and said to them: “Praise God and give thanks to him; exalt him and give thanks to him in the presence of all the living for what he has done for you. It is good to praise God and to exalt his name, worthily declaring the works of God. Do not be slow to give him thanks. 7 It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God. Do good, and evil will not overtake you. 8 Prayer is good when accompanied by fasting, almsgiving, and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with wrongdoing. It is better to give alms than to treasure up gold. 9 For almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin. Those who perform deeds of charity[b] and of righteousness will have fulness of life; 10 but those who commit sin are the enemies of their own lives.

Raph′ael Discloses His Identity
11 “I will not conceal anything from you. I have said, ‘It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God.’ 12 And so, when you and your daughter-in-law Sarah prayed, I brought a reminder of your prayer before the Holy One; and when you buried the dead, I was likewise present with you. 13 When you did not hesitate to rise and leave your dinner in order to go and lay out the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me, but I was with you. 14 So now God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. 15 I am Raph′ael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One.”

16 They were both alarmed; and they fell upon their faces, for they were afraid. 17 But he said to them, “Do not be afraid; you will be safe. But praise God for ever. 18 For I did not come as a favor on my part, but by the will of our God. Therefore praise him for ever. 19 All these days I merely appeared to you and did not eat or drink, but you were seeing a vision. 20 And now give thanks to God, for I am ascending to him who sent me. Write in a book everything that has happened.” 21 Then they stood up; but they saw him no more. 22 So they confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and acknowledged that the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.

Tobias returns home; Tobit's eyesight restored

Tobias finally arrived home, and we are reminded that they live in Nineveh, most probably as the captives from the kingdom of Israel resettled in Nineveh after the Assyrians defeated them. It also shows the Israelites obedience to God in submitting to God's will and trying to make a peaceful living, even as they were relocated to a different country.

The passage is a joyous account of the reunion of Tobias and his parents, and in addition, introducing his new wife. There was great celebration of the marriage, reflecting the family's thankfulness for God's greatness, mercy and blessings. There is also the account that Tobit's sight was miraculously restored. They seemingly used a 'method' of using the fish gall to sprinkle on their eyes, and Jesus also used a 'method' of spitting in the mud, mixing it and applying to the man's eyes. Despite these physical 'methods', there was no doubt to everyone involved there, that the healing came directly from God, and not the rituals.



Tobit 11 - Homeward Journey
After this Tobi′as went on his way, praising God because he had made his journey a success. And he blessed Rag′uel and his wife Edna.

So he continued on his way until they came near to Nin′eveh. 2 Then Raph′ael said to Tobi′as, “Are you not aware, brother, of how you left your father? 3 Let us run ahead of your wife and prepare the house. 4 And take the gall of the fish with you.” So they went their way, and the dog went along behind them.

5 Now Anna sat looking intently down the road for her son. 6 And she caught sight of him coming, and said to his father, “Behold, your son is coming, and so is the man who went with him!”

Tobit’s Sight Restored
7 Raph′ael said, “I know, Tobi′as, that your father will open his eyes. 8 You therefore must anoint his eyes with the gall; and when they smart he will rub them, and will cause the white films to fall away, and he will see you.”

9 Then Anna ran to meet them, and embraced her son, and said to him, “I have seen you, my child; now I am ready to die.” And they both wept. 10 Tobit started toward the door, and stumbled. But his son ran to him 11 and took hold of his father, and he sprinkled the gall upon his father’s eyes, saying, “Be of good cheer, father.” 12 And when his eyes began to smart he rubbed them, 13 and the white films scaled off from the corners of his eyes. 14 Then he saw his son and embraced him, and he wept and said, “Blessed art thou, O God, and blessed is thy name for ever, and blessed are all thy holy angels. 15 For thou hast afflicted me, but thou hast had mercy upon me; here I see my son Tobi′as!” And his son went in rejoicing, and he reported to his father the great things that had happened to him in Media.

16 Then Tobit went out to meet his daughter-in-law at the gate of Nin′eveh, rejoicing and praising God. Those who saw him as he went were amazed because he could see. 17 And Tobit gave thanks before them that God had been merciful to him. When Tobit came near to Sarah his daughter-in-law, he blessed her, saying, “Welcome, daughter! Blessed is God who has brought you to us, and blessed are your father and your mother.” So there was rejoicing among all his brethren in Nin′eveh. 18 Ahi′kar and his nephew Nadab[a] came, 19 and Tobi′as’ marriage was celebrated for seven days with great festivity.

Tobit and wife worries about Tobias

Tobias was still staying at his in-laws place according to tradition where he must stay for 14 days. In the meantime, his original goal to recover the trust money from Gabael had been completed. Back home, Tobit and his wife was very worried - to the point that Tobit's wife spoke out claiming Tobias has perished. Tobit was a little more hopeful, believing something must have delayed his son Tobias. Finally the 14 days were over and Tobias insisted that he goes home, knowing his parents must be worried. His in-laws Raguel and Edna send them away with blessings and half their possessions given to Tobias as promised.




10 Anxiety of the Parents
Now his father Tobit was counting each day, and when the days for the journey had expired and they did not arrive, 2 he said, “Is it possible that he has been detained?[a] Or is it possible that Gab′ael has died and there is no one to give him the money?” 3 And he was greatly distressed. 4 And his wife said to him, “The lad has perished; his long delay proves it.” Then she began to mourn for him, and said, 5 “Am I not distressed, my child, that I let you go, you who are the light of my eyes?” 6 But Tobit said to her, “Be still and stop worrying; he is well.” 7 And she answered him, “Be still and stop deceiving me; my child has perished.” And she went out every day to the road by which they had left; she ate nothing in the daytime, and throughout the nights she never stopped mourning for her son Tobi′as, until the fourteen days of the wedding feast had expired which Rag′uel had sworn that he should spend there.

Tobias and Sarah Start for Home
At that time Tobi′as said to Rag′uel, “Send me back, for my father and mother have given up hope of ever seeing me again.” 8 But his father-in-law said to him, “Stay with me, and I will send messengers to your father, and they will inform him how things are with you.” 9 Tobi′as replied, “No, send me back to my father.” 10 So Rag′uel arose and gave him his wife Sarah and half of his property in slaves, cattle, and money. 11 And when he had blessed them he sent them away, saying, “The God of heaven will prosper you, my children, before I die.” 12 He said also to his daughter, “Honor your father-in-law and your mother-in-law; they are now your parents. Let me hear a good report of you.” And he kissed her. And Edna said to Tobi′as, “The Lord of heaven bring you back safely, dear brother, and grant me to see your children by my daughter Sarah, that I may rejoice before the Lord. See, I am entrusting my daughter to you; do nothing to grieve her.”

Money recovered and Gabael blesses Tobias at his wedding

Tobias' unexpected wedding also meant that he could not fulfill his original mission of recovering his family's trust money from Gabael in Media. So Tobias made arrangements for Raphael to go instead and also invite Gabael to the wedding feast. Things went smoothly and Gabael released the trust money and also came to the wedding and blessed Tobias.


9 The Money Recovered
Then Tobi′as called Raph′ael and said to him, 2 “Brother Azari′as, take a servant and two camels with you and go to Gab′ael at Rages in Media and get the money for me; and bring him to the wedding feast. 3 For Rag′uel has sworn that I should not leave; 4 but my father is counting the days, and if I delay long he will be greatly distressed.” 5 So Raph′ael made the journey and stayed over night with Gab′ael. He gave him the receipt, and Gab′ael[a] brought out the money bags with their seals intact and gave them to him. 6 In the morning they both got up early and came to the wedding feast. And Gab′ael blessed Tobi′as and his wife.[b][c]

Tobias defeats the Demon and claims Sarah

The night of the wedding came and Tobias had followed Raphael's instructions carefully by burning the heart and liver of the animal to produce the incense. So the evil spirit did come to try to take the life of Tobias on the wedding night, as he did 7 times before. This time, because of the incense, he fled to Egypt and another interesting fact is that an angel caught the demon in Egypt.

We see two wonderful prayers of thanksgiving  in this chapter. The first prayer was by Tobias in the company of his wife. He praised and glorified God, and it was also a very appropriate wedding prayer by a man to God for giving him a wife. The second prayer was by Raguel, the father in law of Tobias, who was very thankful that Tobias survived. It seems that both Tobias and Sarah were the only children in their families. Raguel pledged to eventually give all his possessions to this new couple.





Tobit 8 - Tobias Routs the Demon
When they had finished eating, they escorted Tobi′as in to her. 2 As he went he remembered the words of Raph′ael, and he took the live ashes of incense and put the heart and liver of the fish upon them and made a smoke. 3 And when the demon smelled the odor he fled to the remotest parts of Egypt, and the angel bound him. 4 When the door was shut and the two were alone, Tobi′as got up from the bed and said, “Sister, get up, and let us pray that the Lord may have mercy upon us.”[a] 5 And Tobi′as began to pray,

“Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers,
    and blessed be thy holy and glorious name for ever.
    Let the heavens and all thy creatures bless thee.
6 Thou madest Adam and gavest him Eve his wife
    as a helper and support.
    From them the race of mankind has sprung.
Thou didst say, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone;
    let us make a helper for him like himself.’
7 And now, O Lord, I am not taking this sister of mine because of lust, but with sincerity. Grant that I may find mercy and may grow old together with her.” 8 And she said with him, “Amen.” 9 Then they both went to sleep for the night.

But Rag′uel arose and went and dug a grave, 10 with the thought, “Perhaps he too will die.” 11 Then Rag′uel went into his house 12 and said to his wife Edna, “Send one of the maids to see whether he is alive; and if he is not, let us bury him without any one knowing about it.” 13 So the maid opened the door and went in, and found them both asleep. 14 And she came out and told them that he was alive. 15 Then Rag′uel blessed God and said,

“Blessed art thou, O God, with every pure and holy blessing.
    Let thy saints and all thy creatures bless thee;
    let all thy angels and thy chosen people bless thee for ever.
16 Blessed art thou, because thou hast made me glad.
    It has not happened to me as I expected;
    but thou hast treated us according to thy great mercy.
17 Blessed art thou, because thou hast had compassion on two only children.
    Show them mercy, O Lord;
    and bring their lives to fulfilment in health and happiness and mercy.”
18 Then he ordered his servants to fill in the grave.

Wedding Feast
19 After this he gave a wedding feast for them which lasted fourteen days. 20 And before the days of the feast were over, Rag′uel declared by oath to Tobi′as[b] that he should not leave until the fourteen days of the wedding feast were ended, 21 that then he should take half of Rag′uel’s[c] property and return in safety to his father, and that the rest would be his “when my wife and I die.”

Tobias received Sarah in marriage

The travelers Raphael (the angel) and Tobias arrived at Raguel, the cousin of Tobit. They have obviously not met before and from the introduction, Raguel realized how they were related. We see a summary for Tobit again, who is from the tribe of Naphtali, from the northern kingdom of Israel. Tobit lived in the time when they Assyrians conquered Israel and re-distributed its population, hence Tobit was displaced to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria.

Following the feast, Tobias raised the proposal of his marriage to Sarah, daughter of Raguel. Raguel instantly recognized the right of Tobias to take Sarah as his wife. They discussed the fact that Sarah was married seven times, and the husbands all died on the wedding night. Nevertheless, both parties accepted that, proceeded to seal the marriage and Sarah was given to Tobias that night. Again Raguel, referred to his wife Edna as 'sister', indicating they were at least cousins.





Tobit 7 - Arrival at Home of Raguel
7 When they reached Ecbat′ana and arrived at the house of Rag′uel, Sarah met them and greeted them. They returned her greeting, and she brought them into the house. 2 Then Rag′uel said to his wife Edna, “How much the young man resembles my cousin Tobit!” 3 And Rag′uel asked them, “Where are you from, brethren?” They answered him, “We belong to the sons of Naph′tali, who are captives in Nin′eveh.” 4 So he said to them, “Do you know our brother Tobit?” And they said, “Yes, we do.” And he asked them, “Is he in good health?” 5 They replied, “He is alive and in good health.” And Tobi′as said, “He is my father.” 6 Then Rag′uel sprang up and kissed him and wept. 7 And he blessed him and exclaimed, “Son of that good and noble man!” When he heard that Tobit had lost his sight, he was stricken with grief and wept. 8 And his wife Edna and his daughter Sarah wept. They received them very warmly; and they killed a ram from the flock and set large servings of food before them.

Marriage of Tobias and Sarah
Then Tobi′as said to Raph′ael, “Brother Azari′as, speak of those things which you talked about on the journey, and let the matter be settled.” 9 So he communicated the proposal to Rag′uel. And Rag′uel said to Tobi′as, “Eat, drink, and be merry; 10 for it is your right to take my child. But let me explain the true situation to you. 11 I have given my daughter to seven husbands, and when each came to her he died in the night. But for the present be merry.” And Tobi′as said, “I will eat nothing here until you make a binding agreement with me.” 12 So Rag′uel said, “Take her right now, in accordance with the law. You are her relative, and she is yours. The merciful God will guide you both for the best.” 13 Then he called his daughter Sarah, and taking her by the hand he gave her to Tobi′as to be his wife, saying, “Here she is; take her according to the law of Moses, and take her with you to your father.” And he blessed them.[a] 14 Next he called his wife Edna, and took a scroll and wrote out the contract; and they set their seals to it. 15 Then they began to eat.

16 And Rag′uel called his wife Edna and said to her, “Sister, make up the other room, and take her into it.” 17 So she did as he said, and took her there; and the girl[b] began to weep. But the mother[c] comforted her daughter in her tears, and said to her, 18 “Be brave, my child; the Lord of heaven and earth grant you joy[d] in place of this sorrow of yours. Be brave, my daughter.”

Raphael teaches Tobias how to claim Sarah

In this passage, we continue to see various traditions of the Israelites, even from the time of Abraham. So Tobias continues on the journey with the angel Raphael. On the way, a curious thing occurred, that is a big fish capable of swallowing Tobias had an encounter with them. Raphael warned Tobias in time and he slew the fish. The other interesting thing is that Raphael told Tobias to keep the fish's heart, liver and gall, the first two will be used agains demons.

Next they arrived at Ecbatana, and headed towards the home of Raguel. Raguel is a relative of Tobias' family, and Raguel's daughter is rightfully able to marry Tobias, according to the Law of Moses. Tobias heard that the daughter had seven (7) marriages before but the groom always dies on the wedding night. They believed an evil spirit is the cause of this. The angel taught Tobias to make incense from the heart and gall of the fish, so that the smoke will cause the evil spirit around the daughter to go away. At this suggestion, Tobias agreed to Raphael's plans.



Tobit 6 - Journey to Rages
6 Now as they proceeded on their way they came at evening to the Tigris river and camped there. 2 Then the young man went down to wash himself. A fish leaped up from the river and would have swallowed the young man; 3 and the angel said to him, “Catch the fish.” So the young man seized the fish and threw it up on the land. 4 Then the angel said to him, “Cut open the fish and take the heart and liver and gall and put them away safely.” 5 So the young man did as the angel told him; and they roasted and ate the fish.

And they both continued on their way until they came near to Ecbat′ana. 6 Then the young man said to the angel, “Brother Azari′as, of what use is the liver and heart and gall of the fish?” 7 He replied, “As for the heart and the liver, if a demon or evil spirit gives trouble to any one, you make a smoke from these before the man or woman, and that person will never be troubled again. 8 And as for the gall, anoint with it a man who has white films in his eyes, and he will be cured.”

Raph′ael’s Instructions
9 When they approached Ecbat′ana,[a] 10 the angel said to the young man, “Brother, today we shall stay with Rag′uel. He is your relative, and he has an only daughter named Sarah. I will suggest that she be given to you in marriage, 11 because you are entitled to her and to her inheritance, for you are her only eligible kinsman. 12 The girl is also beautiful and sensible. Now listen to my plan. I will speak to her father, and as soon as we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage. For I know that Rag′uel, according to the law of Moses, cannot give her to another man without incurring the penalty of death, because you rather than any other man are entitled to the inheritance.”

13 Then the young man said to the angel, “Brother Azari′as, I have heard that the girl has been given to seven husbands and that each died in the bridal chamber. 14 Now I am the only son my father has, and I am afraid that if I go in I will die as those before me did, for a demon is in love with her, and he harms no one except those who approach her. So now I fear that I may die and bring the lives of my father and mother to the grave in sorrow on my account. And they have no other son to bury them.”

15 [b]But the angel said to him, “Do you not remember the words with which your father commanded you to take a wife from among your own people? Now listen to me, brother, for she will become your wife; and do not worry about the demon, for this very night she will be given to you in marriage. 16 When you enter the bridal chamber, you shall take live ashes of incense and lay upon them some of the heart and liver of the fish so as to make a smoke. 17 Then the demon will smell it and flee away, and will never again return. And when you approach her, rise up, both of you, and cry out to the merciful God, and he will save you and have mercy on you. Do not be afraid, for she was destined for you from eternity. You will save her, and she will go with you, and I suppose that you will have children by her.” When Tobi′as heard these things, he fell in love with her and yearned deeply for her.

The angel Raph'ael accompanies Tobias

In the previous chapter we learned that Tobit is a God fearing man and wanted to instill the same on his son Tobias. In this chapter, preparation is made to send Tobias to reclaim his trust money from a man in Media. A few interesting things can be seen here. The trust is being held by a man living in Media. God send his angel Raph'ael to take this journey with Tobias. Tobit is concerned and wanted to ensure the travelling companion, comes from a good family. The currency of the land where Tobit lived is the drachma. Tobit gives the blessing "heaven will prosper your way" - so prosper is used more interchangeably with the word "blessing" in today's terms, rather than "prosperity". Tobit refers to his wife as sister.




Tobit 5 - The Angel Raph′ael
5 Then Tobi′as answered him, “Father, I will do everything that you have commanded me; 2 but how can I obtain the money when I do not know the man?” 3 Then Tobit gave him the receipt, and said to him, “Find a man to go with you and I will pay him wages as long as I live; and go and get the money.” 4 So he went to look for a man; and he found Raph′ael, who was an angel, 5 but Tobi′as[a] did not know it. Tobi′as[b] said to him, “Can you go with me to Rages in Media? Are you acquainted with that region?” 6 The angel replied, “I will go with you; I am familiar with the way, and I have stayed with our brother Gab′ael.” 7 Then Tobi′as said to him, “Wait for me, and I shall tell my father.” 8 And he said to him, “Go, and do not delay.” So he went in and said to his father, “I have found some one to go with me.” He said, “Call him to me, so that I may learn to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is a reliable man to go with you.”

9 So Tobi′as[c] invited him in; he entered and they greeted each other. 10 Then Tobit said to him, “My brother, to what tribe and family do you belong? Tell me.” 11 But he answered, “Are you looking for a tribe and a family or for a man whom you will pay to go with your son?” And Tobit said to him, “I should like to know, my brother, your people and your name.” 12 He replied, “I am Azari′as the son of the great Anani′as, one of your relatives.” 13 Then Tobit said to him, “You are welcome, my brother. Do not be angry with me because I tried to learn your tribe and family. You are a relative of mine, of a good and noble lineage. For I used to know Anani′as and Jathan, the sons of the great Shema′iah, when we went together to Jerusalem to worship and offered the first-born of our flocks and the tithes of our produce. They did not go astray in the error of our brethren. My brother, you come of good stock. 14 But tell me, what wages am I to pay you—a drachma a day, and expenses for yourself as for my son? 15 And besides, I will add to your wages if you both return safe and sound.” So they agreed to these terms.

16 Then he said to Tobi′as, “Get ready for the journey, and good success to you both.” So his son made the preparations for the journey. And his father said to him, “Go with this man; God who dwells in heaven will prosper your way, and may his angel attend you.” So they both went out and departed, and the young man’s dog was with them.

17 But Anna,[d] his mother, began to weep, and said to Tobit, “Why have you sent our child away? Is he not the staff of our hands as he goes in and out before us? 18 Do not add money to money, but consider it as rubbish as compared to our child. 19 For the life that is given to us by the Lord is enough for us.” 20 And Tobit said to her, “Do not worry, my sister; he will return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him. 21 For a good angel will go with him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back safe and sound.” 22 So she stopped weeping.

Tobit instructing son, Tobais, in God's Laws

Tobit calls to his son Tobias and tells him of his wishes when he passes on. Tobit has set aside some money for Tobias in a trust. He tells Tobias to bury him and his mother in the same place.

This is followed by encouragement of how Tobias should live. Firstly he reminds his son to obey God's commandments, live accordingly and also be charitable to those who are less fortunate. Secondly he tells his son to avoid immorality by not marrying a foreign woman. Tobit references his ancestors Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and reminds his son how blessed they were because they married other own people. Thirdly, there is a lot of general advice. All of the encouragement from Tobit are in line with what God expected the Israelites to do.

A few verses that stood out are:
v13 For in pride there is ruin and great confusion;
v19 Bless the Lord God on every occasion; ask him that your ways may be made straight and that all your paths and plans may prosper. 
v19 the Lord himself gives all good things, and according to his will he humbles whomever he wishes.



Tobit 4 
Tobit Gives Instructions to His Son
On that day Tobit remembered the money which he had left in trust with Gab′ael at Rages in Media, and he said to himself: 2 “I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tobi′as so that I may explain to him about the money[a] before I die?” 3 So he called him and said, “My son, when I die, bury me, and do not neglect your mother. Honor her all the days of your life; do what is pleasing to her, and do not grieve her. 4 Remember, my son, that she faced many dangers for you while you were yet unborn. When she dies, bury her beside me in the same grave.

5 “Remember the Lord our God all your days, my son, and refuse to sin or to transgress his commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing. 6 For if you do what is true, your ways will prosper through your deeds. 7 Give alms from your possessions to all who live uprightly, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from any poor man, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. 8 If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. 9 So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. 10 For charity[b] delivers from death and keeps you from entering the darkness; 11 and for all who practice it charity is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High.

12 “Beware, my son, of all immorality.[c] First of all take a wife from among the descendants of your fathers and do not marry a foreign woman, who is not of your father’s tribe; for we are the sons of the prophets. Remember, my son, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers of old, all took wives from among their brethren. They were blessed in their children, and their posterity will inherit the land. 13 So now, my son, love your brethren, and in your heart do not disdain your brethren and the sons and daughters of your people by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion; and in shiftlessness there is loss and great want, because shiftlessness is the mother of famine. 14 Do not hold over till the next day the wages of any man who works for you, but pay him at once; and if you serve God you will receive payment.

“Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and be disciplined in all your conduct. 15 And what you hate, do not do to any one. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness go with you on your way. 16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus to charity, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you made it. 17 Place your bread[d] on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners. 18 Seek advice from every wise man, and do not despise any useful counsel. 19 Bless the Lord God on every occasion; ask him that your ways may be made straight and that all your paths and plans may prosper. For none of the nations has understanding; but the Lord himself gives all good things, and according to his will he humbles whomever he wishes.

Money Left in Trust with Gabael
“So, my son, remember my commands, and do not let them be blotted out of your mind. 20 And now let me explain to you about the ten talents of silver which I left in trust with Gab′ael the son of Gabri′as at Rages in Media. 21 Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have great wealth if you fear God and refrain from every sin and do what is pleasing in his sight.”

God listens to Tobit and Sarah's prayer

Tobit 3 
In the previous chapter, Tobit became blind and his wife was earning a living for the family. Here we see Tobit in a desperate situation and calling God to end his life on earth so that his despair and suffering would end. It is a serious prayer showing a man who really believed in the Almighty God, yet lost believe in any blessings that would come in this life.

As Tobit was praying, another woman was also in desperate prayer. Being accused of causing the demise of her seven husbands and perhaps seeing the hopelessness of her life, she too prayed a similar prayer as Tobit. Again her prayers of giving praise and honour to God first showed that she was a  believing woman, but too desperate and broken about her life situation.

In the final paragraph, we see these two individuals, Tobit and Sarah, were brought together by God's divine plan. The angel Raphael was send to heal Tobit's blindness, and arranged for Sarah to marry the son of Tobit. God not only hears prayers, but he had planned before the prayers were made. The Holy Spirit motivates people to pray, for what God has already ordained, so that when the plan is completed, God is glorified more.

Another point this passage reveals is that there are some bad things which are caused by opposing supernatural forces at work against mankind that leads to various suffering.







Tobit’s Prayer
3 Then in my grief I wept, and I prayed in anguish, saying, 2 “Righteous art thou, O Lord; all thy deeds and all thy ways are mercy and truth, and thou dost render true and righteous judgment for ever. 3 Remember me and look favorably upon me; do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offenses and those which my fathers committed before thee. 4 For they disobeyed thy commandments, and thou gavest us over to plunder, captivity, and death; thou madest us a byword of reproach in all the nations among which we have been dispersed. 5 And now thy many judgments are true in exacting penalty from me for my sins and those of my fathers, because we did not keep thy commandments. For we did not walk in truth before thee. 6 And now deal with me according to thy pleasure; command my spirit to be taken up, that I may depart and become dust. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and great is the sorrow within me. Command that I now be released from my distress to go to the eternal abode; do not turn thy face away from me.”

Sarah Falsely Accused
7 On the same day, at Ecbat′ana in Media, it also happened that Sarah, the daughter of Rag′uel, was reproached by her father’s maids, 8 because she had been given to seven husbands, and the evil demon Asmode′us had slain each of them before he had been with her as his wife. So the maids[a] said to her, “Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You already have had seven and have had no benefit from[b] any of them. 9 Why do you beat us? If they are dead, go with them! May we never see a son or daughter of yours!”

Sarah’s Prayer for Death
10 When she heard these things she was deeply grieved, even to the thought of hanging herself. But she said, “I am the only child of my father; if I do this, it will be a disgrace to him, and I shall bring his old age down in sorrow to the grave.”[c] 11 So she prayed by her window and said, “Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and blessed is thy holy and honored name for ever. May all thy works praise thee for ever. 12 And now, O Lord, I have turned my eyes and my face toward thee. 13 Command that I be released from the earth and that I hear reproach no more. 14 Thou knowest, O Lord, that I am innocent of any sin with man, 15 and that I did not stain my name or the name of my father in the land of my captivity. I am my father’s only child, and he has no child to be his heir, no near kinsman or kinsman’s[d] son for whom I should keep myself as wife. Already seven husbands of mine are dead. Why should I live? But if it be not pleasing to thee to take my life, command that respect be shown to me and pity be taken upon me, and that I hear reproach no more.”

An Answer to Prayer
16 The prayer of both was heard in the presence of the glory of the great God. 17 And Raphael[e] was sent to heal the two of them: to scale away the white films from Tobit’s eyes; to give Sarah the daughter of Rag′uel in marriage to Tobi′as the son of Tobit, and to bind Asmode′us the evil demon, because Tobi′as was entitled to possess her. At that very moment Tobit returned and entered his house and Sarah the daughter of Rag′uel came down from her upper room.