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Tobit (or Toviyahu in Hebrew), was an Israelite from the tribe of Naphtali, his father was named Tobiel and he was taken as a captive from his hometown. Tobit was an Elohim-fearing, honest and a righteous man who would always help the poor, widows and those in need. He always did what was right in the sight of Elohim, unlike the rest of his tribe who rejected the commandments and laws Yahuah set for the people. Tobit, had a son that he named Tobias with his wife Anna, and they were taken captive to Nineveh. However, he refused to eat the same foods locals of Nineveh did as he took Yahuah and his faith seriously. 

The new emperor of Nineveh was an evil and malevolent one, he cursed Yahuah and was punished by him accordingly. The emperor (Sennacherib) grew mad and ended killing many Israelites but Tobit would always give them decent burials to respect them before Sennacherib could find the bodies. Later on, a citizen of Nineveh exposed Tobit to the emperor Sennacherib and Tobit feared for his life as he knew that if Sennacherib found him he would be in great danger, and so he grew fearful and fled with his family to escape the emperors judgement. Just 6 weeks later, the emperor was assassinated by his two sons and Tobit's nephew (Ahi' kar) helped Tobit to return to Nineveh by putting in a good word for him to the new emperor: Esarhaddon.

When Tobit returned to Nineveh the Festival of Weeks (a scared Jewish festival) began and when he saw the abundance of food prepared he asked his son Tobias to find people living in poverty who take Yahuah's commandments seriously to share the festival meal with them. Tobias listened and went out to find someone, soon after he returned with shouting saying "Someone has been murdered!". Tobit, being shocked and devastated by the news, remembered what the prophet Aaron prophesied to the people of Bethel about how their happiness and festivals of joy will become funerals and cries of grief, and he began to weep. 

After sunset he took a bath to cleanse himself and dug a grave to bury a dead man, his neighbours seeing this chastised him for his actions as it was the reason why he had to flee from Nineveh in the first place, they thought he was crazy. One fateful night, Tobit went out to his courtyard to sleep but wasn't aware that there were sparrows above him and had nothing to cover his head. The sparrows droppings fell on his eyelids causing him to become blind, Tobit went to see doctors to cure the blindness but they could do absolutely nothing and instead made it worse to the point his eyesight was fully gone. Anna had to go to work and took up the job of weaving, one day she was working and was paid a full price along with a goat. Tobit, being blind, heard the goats bleats and assumed that Anna had stolen the goat and told her to return it to the owners, to not eat stolen food. She became angry and shouted and Tobit refusing him and Tobit became ashamed.

Tobit was embarrassed and ashamed, then he became sorrowful and began to cry and prayed Yahuah to show mercy to him to him and to free his body, spirit and soul from torment even to the point he was asking for Yahuah to end his life, to put a stop to his pain and suffering. He asked Elohim for the forgiveness of his sins and his ancestors that rejected and were disloyal to his holy commands. 

Now, on the same day there was a troubled woman who went by the name Sarah, who lived in the city of Ecbatana in Media. She was married seven times but an evil demon Asmodeus would kill each one before the marriage was completed and a female servant insulted her greatly and accused her of killing her husbands. Sarah was depressed and wept heavily, wanting to hang herself, then she refused to commit the act of suicide knowing that Elohim would punish her and nothing good would come out of it. Her father would also be disgraced among the peoples . She went on to pray to Yahuah for his mercy and grace to show upon her life. Yahuah heard both Tobit's and Sarah's prayers and sent his angel Raphael to help them and cured Tobit of his blindness and gave Sarah a husband, who was Tobias, Tobit's son. Raphael was then ordered by Yahuah to expel the demon from Sarah giving her peace.

There are lots of lessons we can learn from Tobit and his endeavours in these 3 chapters. I, for one can say that in all situations we should strive to be righteous, honest and compassionate to others just like Tobit, who never stopped doing what was right, no matter what we experience in our everyday lives and we can also learn from Sarah that no matter what someone tells you that, you can never get anywhere in life because of your past you should keep going and never give in to those devil-inspired words, because Yahuah always gives an abundance of grace and help to the compassionate and humble. I also learnt that, when we are in need of help we should give our prayers and supplications to Yahuah alone because he is merciful and willing to help the innocent and God-fearing.

As Romans Chapter 8:28 says:

"And we know that all things work together for good to those that love Elohim, to those who are called according to his purpose."

By Maryam Oyedokun

Tobit remembered that he had left with Gab'ael and collected it to give to his son Tobias before he died, so he called him and told him all the things he should do before he dies, to honour his mother, to always do the things that pleases her and that do not disgrace her, to not grieve her, and that when she dies to bury her right next to him. Tobit also told Tobias to remember Yahuah all the days of his life and to never fall into the paths of sin. He also told Tobias to not turn away the from the poor and people in need so that Yahuah wont turn from him. "For charity delivers from death and keeps you from entering darkness and for all who produce it charity, is an excellent offering in the presence of Yahuah." 

Tobit continued to warn his son about living in immorality and being just, to not take a wife from outside his tribe just like Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who took wives from their own brethren. To not drink wine in excess and turn to drunkenness, to seek advice from every wise man and to not despise useful counsel so that his ways will be made straight by Yahuah. "So my son, remember my commands and do let them be blotted out of your mind. And now let me explain to you about the ten talents of silver which I left in trust with Gab'ael the sun of Gabri'as at Rages in Media. Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You will have great wealth if you fear Yahuah and refrain from sin and do what is righteous and pleasing in his sight."

Then Tobias answered, Father I will do everything that you have commanded me, but how can I obtain the money when I do not know the man. Tobit handed him a receipt and told him to find a man to go with him and that he would pay the man money as long as he lived. After this discussion, Tobias went out to look for a man and he found Raphael, who was the same angel who bound the demon Asmodeus. However, Tobias was not aware of this. So Tobias asked the man "Can you go with me to Rages in Media? Are you familiar with the region?" Raphael the angel replied, "Yes, I will go with you; I am familiar with Rages and I have stayed with our brother Gab'ael". Tobias went to tell his father Tobit and he became interested and wanted to know what tribe and family Raphael was from, to see if he was trustworthy and reliable enough. 

Tobit let Raphael inside his house to discuss and greeted him, he then asked him what tribe and family he was from. Raphael replied "Are you looking for a tribe or a family or are you looking for someone who will take your son to Rages?" Tobit replied and said to him "I would like to know, your people and your name." Raphael replied to Tobit and said "I am Azarias the son of the great Ananias one of your relatives." Tobit said to him that he should not be upset, that he wanted to know his tribe and remembered that Azarias is from a noble lineage, for he used to know Ananias and Jathan when he accompanied them to Jerusalem to worship Yahuah. He also recounted how they never strayed from Yahuah, unlike the rest of his tribe. Tobit went on to give Azarias and Tobias money and expenses for the journey and told his son Tobias to get ready to go out with him. "Go with this man; Yahuah who dwells in heaven will prosper your ways, and may he send his angel to attend to you." After, they both departed for their journey. Anna witnessing her sons departure, began to weep solemnly and asked Tobit why he had sent their only child away, that money could never compare to the child that Yahuah gave them. Then, Tobit told her to not worry that he will soon return as he believes an angel will go with him, So Anna stopped crying.

Now, as they proceeded on their journey, they arrived at the river Tigris and decided to camp there at evening. Tobias went down to the river to bathe himself. Then a fish leaped up from the water to swallow him and Raphael told him to catch the fish, Tobias caught it. Then, the Azarias (the angel)  told him to cut the fish open and take the heart, liver and gall and put them away safely. Tobias did as told as roasted the fish for them to eat. They both continued on their journey until they came near to Ecbatana. Tobias said to the angel, "Brother Azarias, what do we need to use the liver, gall and heart from the fish for?" The angel replied "For the heart and liver, we need it so if a demon gives trouble to anyone, you can make smoke from these before a man or woman, and that person will never be troubled again. For the gal, anoint with it a man who is blind and he will be cured. Now, when they approached Ecbatana, Raphael said to Tobias that they will stay with one of his relatives: Raguel who has an only daughter named Sarah. He suggested that he and Sarah should marry for he is entitled to her and her inheritance and that the girl is also sensible and beautiful. 

"Now listen to my plan. I will go to her father, and as soon as  we return from Rages we will celebrate, because I know that Raguel cannot give her to another man without incurring the penalty of death because you are meant to be with her. Tobias was unsure and told Azarias about the rumours he has heard about Sarah that he had seven husbands and each of them have died. He is the only son that his father and mother have and is afraid that if he does marry her he will die also like the previous husbands. He also reveals that there is a demon in love with her and harms those who approach her. 

Tobias tells the angel that he is afraid that he may die and cause his father and mother great sorrow into the grave as they have no other son to bury them. But the angel said to him. "Do you not remember how your father told you to take a wife from your people?" Listen to me brother, for she will be given to you in marriage this night." He told Tobias that when he enters the bridal chamber, he should take ashes from incense to make some smoke. The demon would smell it and then flee to never return. "Do not be afraid, for she was destined for you from eternity. You will save her and she will go with you." When Tobias heard this he fell in love with Sarah and deeply longed for her.

From this section of the book of Tobit we can learn from Tobit that as people of Yahuah, we should always share our knowledge of righteousness with people including our families so that they never forget the way of Yahuah, we can also learn that Yahuah always helps those who continuously follow him, as seen by the second appearance of angel Raphael who disguised as a regular human being to help Tobias on his journey to Rages. From Tobias we can learn to always believe in Yahuah and to never grow weary and following him even if we do not know what is in store for us in the future. Never fear the power of the devil, but fear Yahuah and obey him. From Tobit himself, we can see his fervent faith and trust in Yahuah throughout the chapters as a whole, through his faithful character we can learn that if you do not give up on Yahuah he wont give up on you.

As Mathew Chapter 17:20 says:

 “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 

By Maryam Oyedokun