Tobit

The Unknown Guide

Tobiah spoke to Tobit: “Father, I shall do everything you have asked.

But how can I get the money from this man? He doesn’t know me, and I don’t know him. What proof of identity should I provide to earn his trust and receive the money? Also, I do not know the way to Media.”

Then Tobit answered his son Tobiah: “Each of us set his signature to a note which I cut in two so that each could keep half of it. I put one part of the money. It has been twenty years since I deposited that money! So, son, find a trustworthy man to go with you, and on your return, I shall give him wages; but bring back that money from Gabael while I am still alive.”

Tobiah went to look for a man, and he found Raphael. Raphael was an angel, but Tobiah was unaware of it.

Tobiah said to Raphael: “Can you go with me to Rages in Media? Do you know the place?”

The angel said to Tobiah: “I will go with you. I know the way and I have even spent a night with your relative, Gabael.”

Tobiah said to Raphael: “Wait for me. I am going to speak to my father. I want you to come with me to Media and I will pay you.”

Raphael said to Tobiah: “Go, but do not delay.”

Tobiah went in and said to his father: “I have found the man who will go with me.” His father said: “Bring this man to me. I want to know the name of his tribe. I want to know if I can trust him to go with you.” Tobiah went out and called Raphael. Tobiah said to Raphael: “Young man, my father wants to see you.”

Raphael entered the house and approached Tobit.

Tobit said to him: “Friend, what is the name of your tribe and your family? Tell me.”

Raphael said to him: “Are you looking for a tribe and a family or for a hired man to go with your son?”Tobit said to him: “Friend, I want to know your tribe and your name.”

Raphael said: “I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the Great, one of your kinsmen.”

Tobit said to him: “Welcome, my brother! Please don’t be upset with me for trying to find out your tribe and family name. For now, I believe you are a relative of mine, belonging to a noble and respected lineage. In fact, I knew Ananias and Nathan, sons of Shemeliah the Great. We used to travel together to worship in Jerusalem and bring the firstborn of our sheep, along with a tithe of our produce, to offer to God. They did not adopt pagan practices when other countrymen went off course. My friend, you come from good stock.

But tell me, what wage should I give you— a drachma a day, and whatever is necessary for you as well as for my son?

I shall give you something extra if you return safely.They settled on that.Raphael said to Tobit: “I will go with him. Do not be afraid. We shall set out in safety and return to you in safety because I am sure of the way.”

Then Tobit called his son Tobiah and said to him: “My child, prepare what you need for the journey and set out with your friend. May the God of Heaven protect you on your way and bring you safely back to me. May his angel accompany you.”Then Tobiah prepared to leave. He kissed his father and mother, and Tobit said to Tobiah: “Safe journey!”

Anna, the mother of Tobiah, burst into tears and said to Tobit: “Why have you sent away our child? Is he not our support as he comes and goes?”

Anna said: “What use is it to add money to money? Better we save our son’s life.

Is not what God has provided for us enough to live on?”

Tobit said to her: “Don’t get upset, my sister. He will return safely. You will see him again.

Indeed, a good angel will go with him; he will have a successful journey and he will return in safety.”