Books Jesus Read

Chapter 5: Suffering and Spirituality – Tobit and Sarah

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Then Raguel directed his servants to fill in the grave, and the wedding feast continued for another fourteen days.

The Journey Home Now, Raguel had taken an oath that the newlyweds should not leave home before the fourteen days of the feast were completed. Then, the couple would be sent on their way to the home of Tobias, taking half of all Raguel’s goods with them and receiving the other half after he and Edna had died. Since Tobias could not leave before the wedding feast was completed, he directed Raphael to take a servant and two camels, and to leave for Rages in Media to retrieve the money from Gabiel, and to invite him to the wedding feast. Tobias reminded Raphael, “My father is counting the days since we left on our journey. If we delay, he will be greatly concerned for me.” So Raphael traveled quickly to Rages. There he presented Gabiel with the receipt Tobit had given them, and Gabiel brought out the money. The two of them left for Ecbatana the following morning, and arrived at the wedding feast where Tobias introduced his wife to Gabiel. Meanwhile, Tobit had been counting the days since his son had departed. When they did not arrive back by the expected time he said, “What has delayed them? Has Gabiel died and was there was no one left to redeem my receipt?” Then his wife Anna said, “My son has been gone too long! He must be dead! I have nothing left to live for, since the light of my eyes is gone.” “Calm down,” said Tobit, “he is safe so do not be anxious.” “Do not deceive me,” she replied, “surely my son is dead!”