The Good Deeds of Tobit
The Book of Tobit is the most extravagant of the apocryphal writings. In it angels and demons appear, not as visionary messengers, but as actual dwellers among men, interposing in life’s daily avocations, for good or evil, slaying or protecting. Moreover the book tells a vigorous, interesting story, approaching to folk lore or fairy tale in style and form. It is a popular work, widespread, and ancient, dating back to probably the second century B.C.
The story is of the trials of the good Hebrew, Tobit, and his rescue from adversity through the adventures of his young son Tobias, guided by the angel Raphael. Tobit was an Israelite of the tribe of Naphtali, carried captive to Assyria at the time of the downfall of the northern kingdom. He alone of all the people of the North remained true to the ancient faith of Jerusalem. His piety made him noted even among his captors, and he rose to high rank and wealth in Nineveh. Amid all his activities, he never forgot his countrymen, aiding them by gifts of money and especially by burying those who were slain by the Assyrian king. This so angered the monarch that Tobit, despite his high favor, was severely punished. Yet the noble Hebrew persisted in performing what he believed to be his duty; he continued his burial of the monarch’s victims, but did the work secretly by night.
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