Christine Smith's Blog

The Book of Tobit

 Today I read the Book of Tobit – what a story of joy, family, trust, and obedience to and serving God!

Joy was what I was left appreciating after reading Tobit, for it so affirmed that true joy, true fulfillment in life, is a blessing bestowed by God, from God to us when we choose His will to be ours.  What blessings are in store, our mind can only begin to imagine. 

I appreciated Tobit’s’ wise advice to his son (advice for us all), the love of family – parents for children – children for parents – from a father and mother’s love of their son and his for them and of the father and daughter, the sadness and deep despair both of of Sarah and of Tobit, acts of kind respectful service and care to strangers, the hope and guidance of angel Raphael, love between husband and wife…and of course, the outcome of joy as love and healing came to all. 

The message of wisdom communicated and demonstrated by all is one of reassurance that despite appearances, despite sorrows suffered, if one seeks righteousness and to be in God’s will, He is with us always…always aware of what befalls us, the righteous desires of our heart and the despair we may suffer when we do not see nor understand…and He knows best what and when blessings to bestow. The faith Tobias and Sarah lived, as well as the faith of their parents, went not unnoticed, nor unrewarded, but in God’s perfect timing His pleasure with and knowledge of their heart was made known to them.  In this, we must all remind ourselves, that no matter the difficulties, we are never alone, never lost from His sight, and in this our spirit can be strong.  God wills us happiness and fulfillment, it is we who must live day in and day out in trust.  It is in seeking and following His will true joy is found.

It was a most happy story of those who lived lives in faith…in purity…and in praise for God.  If living in God’s will, we trust there is purpose, and in this we can courageously live.

In fact, I would describe The Book of Tobit, as a beautiful love story, a story of true appreciation, in so many ways: God toward us, we toward God, His advocates/angels toward God and us and we toward them, parent and child, and man and female.  I think it could be made into a wonderful film, as it demonstrates what I believe is the truth of our lives in relationship to God and in relationship to others.  We needn’t worry nor despair, though we wonder, we can rest knowing that living in God’s will is all that we need see and do.  It was uplifting and inspiring, a story of love of God and love of family.

The Book of Tobit brought to mind another scripture:”And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, KJV)

And it also made me think of the hymn/poem by William Cowper, God Moves in a Mysterious Way, from which I quote, “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform…Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head…”

I just feel so happy, and joyful, for having read The Book of Tobit today.