Books Jesus Read

112

Books Jesus Read

Sennacherib as cup bearer, keeper of the signet ring, and steward over his accounts, and now Esarhaddon reappointed him. His name was Ahikar, and he was my nephew. Now, Ahikar put in a good word for me so I was permitted to return to Nineveh at the time of Pentecost. There, I found Anna and Tobias alive and well and we celebrated the feast as Anna spread a wonderful meal before us. I was hungry but could not enjoy the feast knowing that others were going without. So, I sent Tobias out with these instructions: “My son, go and look for a poor beggar among our people. Make sure he is completely dedicated to the Lord and bring him home so he may enjoy this feast with us.” 6 After a while, Tobias returned alone and shaken. “Father, I found a man who has been strangled to death! He is one of our own people, and his body has been left in the market.” Leaving the meal, I ran to the market to retrieve the man’s body. But recalling the persecution I suffered for burying the king’s enemies, I brought the body home and waited until after dark to bury it. When at last I sat down to the feast it was late and I could not really enjoy the meal. A prophecy of Amos kept coming to mind: “Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your festivities into lamentation” ( Amos 8:10 ). I slept outdoors that night since I was ceremonially unclean, having handled a dead body. Exhausted, I leaned up against a tree and cried myself to sleep on account 6 Tobit practices generosity toward those he deems worthy. Two centuries later, the New Testament’s teachings would also emphasize generous giving, but without restrictions (e.g. Matt 5:40–42).