The Book of Tobit
Chapter 5
¹ Then Tobias answered his father Tobit, "I will do everything that you have commanded me my father; ² but how can I obtain the money from him, since he does not know me and I do not know him? What evidence am I to give him so that he will recognize and trust me, and give me the money? Also, I do not know the roads to Media, or how to get there."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verses 1 to 2)
Oh, Job my friend it seems that your orientation skills are as good as mine, for if it were not for GPS I would not arrive anywhere. I thank You, God, for inventing such means. Many times we would like to obey You, my God and Father, however, doubts find a way into our hearts and minds and we start trusting in what we know and not in what You can make known to us Amen.
³ Then Tobit answered his son Tobias, "He gave me his bond and I gave him my bond. I divided his in two; we each took one part, and I put one with money. And now twenty years have passed since I left this money in trust. So now, my son find yourself a trustworthy man to go with you, and we will pay him wages until you return. But get back the money from Gabael."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 3)
Oh God my Father when You formulate a plan for us You take into consideration all the technical details. You tell us what to say, when and how to say it in order for us to achieve our objective. I pray that when my time comes I will also be ready Amen.
⁴ So Tobias went out to look for a man to go with him to Media, someone who was acquainted with the way. He went out and found the angel Raphael standing in front of him; but he did not percieve that he was an angel of God.
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 4)
Oh God my Father at the right place and at the right time, You permit us to meet people who are angels to us and without our knowledge, You help us by means of such people Amen. I thank You, my God and Father, for many times You have sent me such people Amen.
⁵ Tobias said to him, "Where do you come from young man?""From your kindred, the Israelites," he replied, and I have come here to work." Then Tobias said to him. "Do you know the way to go to Media?"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 5)
Oh God, my Father You know that my only wish is to be able to work, to be of service to others. You know that this is something that I am not totally doing as according to my wishes. However oh God my Father, may Your will be done. If I am to find another job that may be more fulfilling even though it may pay less may Your will be done and not mine. Amen.
Oh God my Father You know the way leading to my Salvation, I pray that You continue to send me people to enlighten me in Your ways Amen.
⁶ "Yes", he replied, "I have been there many times: I am acquainted with itٰٰ and know all the roads. I have often travelled to Media, and would stay with our kinsman Gabael who lives in the Rages of Media. It is a journey of two days from Ecbatana to Rages; for it lies in a mountainous area, while Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain."
Oh God my Father You know the way leading to my Salvation, I pray that You continue to send me people to enlighten me in Your ways Amen.
⁶ "Yes", he replied, "I have been there many times: I am acquainted with itٰٰ and know all the roads. I have often travelled to Media, and would stay with our kinsman Gabael who lives in the Rages of Media. It is a journey of two days from Ecbatana to Rages; for it lies in a mountainous area, while Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 6)
Oh God, my Father, this verse reminds me of an episode in my life when I also asked for directions since I was not familiar with the territory. I was also on a journey to meet the brothers of Mother Theresa at Noto in Sicily. I thank You for sending the resident who also told me that he knew the way to the convent. Even though I was not accepted by the brothers to live the same life, it was an enriching experience, by which You told me what You did not wish of me to become Amen.
⁷ Then Tobias said to him, "Wait for me, young man, until I go in and tell my father; for I do need you to travel with me, and I will pay you your wages." ⁸ He replied, "All right, I will wait; but do not take too long."
⁷ Then Tobias said to him, "Wait for me, young man, until I go in and tell my father; for I do need you to travel with me, and I will pay you your wages." ⁸ He replied, "All right, I will wait; but do not take too long."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verses 7 to 8)
Oh God my Father many times You give us perfect opportunities to advance in our life, however when tend to question a lot more than necessary instead of taking You at Your word and often miss out on the opportunity. I pray that we have more faith in You than in ourselves Amen.
⁹ So Tobias went in to tell his father Tobit and said to him, "I have just found a man who is one of our own Israelite kindred!" He replied, "Call the man in, my son, so that I may learn about his family and to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is trustworthy enough to go with you."
¹⁰ Then Tobias went out and called him, and said, "Young man, my father is calling for you." So he went in to him, and Tobit greeted him first. He replied, "Joyous greetings to you!" But Tobit retorted "What joy is left for me any more? I am a man without eyesight; I cannot see the light of heaven, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer see the light. Although still alive, I am among the dead. I hear people but I cannot see them." But the young man said, "Take courage; the time is near for God to heal you; take courage." Then Tobit said to him, "My son Tobias wishes to go to Media. Can you accompany and guide him? I will pay your wages, brother." He answered, "I can go with him and I know all the roads, for I have often gone to Media and have crossed all its plains, and I am familiar with its mountains and all of its roads."
¹¹ Then Tobit said to him, "Brother of what family are you and from what tribe? Tell me brother,"
¹³ He replied, " I am Azariah, the son of the great Hananiah, one of your relatives."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 13)
Many times oh God my Father You send us people in our lives who although appear to us as being strangers are of great significance to us. You send us people inspired by You, who in fact are our spiritual brothers and sisters Amen.
¹⁴ Then Tobit said to him, "Welcome! God save you, brother. Do not feel bitter toward me, brother, because I wanted to be sure about your ancestry. It turns out that you are a kinsman, and of good and noble lineage, For I knew Hananiah and Nathan, the two sons of Shemeliah, and they used to go with me to Jerusalem and worshipped with me there, and were not led astray. Your kindred are good people; you come of good stock. Hearty welcome!"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 14)
Oh God, my Father, I pray that You help us overcome our sense of insecurity and learn to trust others without needing to rely on proof and facts Amen.
¹⁵ Then he added, " I will pay you a drachma a day as wages, as well as expenses for yourself and my son. So go with my son, ¹⁶ and I will add something to your wages," Raphael answered, "I will go with him; so do not fear. We shall leave in good health and return to you in good health, because the way is safe."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verses 15 to 16)
Oh God my Father when we place our trust in You and not in our material resources, we have a guarantee of success. Amen.
¹⁷ So Tobit said to him, "Blessings be upon you brother." Then he called his son and said to him, "Son, prepare supplies for the journey and set out with your brother. May God in heaven bring you safely there and return you in good health to me; and may his angel, my son accompany you both for your safety," Before he went out to start his journey he kissed his father and Mother. Tobit then said to him, "Have a safe journey,"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 17)
Oh God, my Father even though we are given assurance by others we still experience doubts and unbelief. I pray oh God that You strengthen our faith Amen. Oh God my Father I pray as in the case of Tobit that I merit and obtain Your blessing before making important decisions in life Amen.
¹⁸ But his mother began to weep, and said to Tobit, "Why is it that you have sent my child away? Is he not the staff of our hand as he goes in and out before us?"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 18)
Oh God, my Father when couples do not agree on important decisions there will be stress in the family. Moreover when decisions are not the fruit of collaboration but only from one member of the family as in the case of Tobit. I pray for all couples who are experiencing such tensions in their family, to stop pray, hug each other and discuss the issue at hand Amen.
¹⁹ Do not heap money upon money, but let it be a ransom for our child.
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 19)
Oh God my Father as in the case of Tobit's wife, we learn to focus on the other side of the coin and not solely on how much we are going to gain from the situation in terms of money Amen.
²⁰ For the life that is given to us by the Lord is enough for us."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 20)
Oh God, my Father, I pray not to be rich but to have enough to cater for my basic needs to live an honest living which gives me the opportunity of continuing my life of prayer and my work Amen.
My God and Father I would like to end this meditation on the fifth chapter of the book of Tobit with the following prayer:-
Oh God, my Father if we can pay and get the antivirus for the Covid-19 we would surely invest all our money in purchasing it. If we had to pay for our entrance in heaven we may not care so much because our minds have become worldly and as soon as this pandemic passes we will return to our old alienated lives. I pray that we learn and become aware that we are not in control of our lives but You are Amen. Moreover, apart from COVID-19 there is also the virus of sin which is more deadly since it can destroy both the body and the soul Amen.
⁹ So Tobias went in to tell his father Tobit and said to him, "I have just found a man who is one of our own Israelite kindred!" He replied, "Call the man in, my son, so that I may learn about his family and to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is trustworthy enough to go with you."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 9)
Oh God, my Father many times we end up caught in mixed loyalties during sensitive situations. On the one hand, we pledge our obedience to fulfil Your will and on the other hand, we end up entangled with the calls of the world as in the case of Tobias who was called to delay the messenger in order to obey Tobit his father. I pray that during such moments You give us perfect knowledge and insight in order to make the right decisions Amen.
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 10)
Oh God my Father many times we think we are seeing, and have a plan for the future and our hearts are at rest, when in truth we feel protected by the welfare of the world and in truth we are blind, living among those who are alive but being spiritually dead. I pray for healing, especially during times when I feel that my hope in human beings has reached a point of non-existence. As much as I trust in You I would like to trust in others however every time I tried I ended up disappointed and sorry that I did so. I place my total trust in You my God and Father Amen.
¹¹ Then Tobit said to him, "Brother of what family are you and from what tribe? Tell me brother,"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 11)
Oh God, my Father even though You reveal Yourself to me day by day, as in the case of Tobit there are always pending questions that I would wish to have answered in my relationship with You Amen.
¹² He replied, "Why do you need to know my tribe?" But Tobit said, "I want to be sure, brother, whose son you are and what your name is."
¹² He replied, "Why do you need to know my tribe?" But Tobit said, "I want to be sure, brother, whose son you are and what your name is."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 12)
Oh God, my Father even though we would like to take You at Your word and place our trust in You we still have the feeling of uncertainty and mistrust towards both our fellow persons and even towards You. I pray that You heal our uncertainty and help us to let go and trust Amen.
¹³ He replied, " I am Azariah, the son of the great Hananiah, one of your relatives."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 13)
Many times oh God my Father You send us people in our lives who although appear to us as being strangers are of great significance to us. You send us people inspired by You, who in fact are our spiritual brothers and sisters Amen.
¹⁴ Then Tobit said to him, "Welcome! God save you, brother. Do not feel bitter toward me, brother, because I wanted to be sure about your ancestry. It turns out that you are a kinsman, and of good and noble lineage, For I knew Hananiah and Nathan, the two sons of Shemeliah, and they used to go with me to Jerusalem and worshipped with me there, and were not led astray. Your kindred are good people; you come of good stock. Hearty welcome!"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 14)
Oh God, my Father, I pray that You help us overcome our sense of insecurity and learn to trust others without needing to rely on proof and facts Amen.
¹⁵ Then he added, " I will pay you a drachma a day as wages, as well as expenses for yourself and my son. So go with my son, ¹⁶ and I will add something to your wages," Raphael answered, "I will go with him; so do not fear. We shall leave in good health and return to you in good health, because the way is safe."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verses 15 to 16)
Oh God my Father when we place our trust in You and not in our material resources, we have a guarantee of success. Amen.
¹⁷ So Tobit said to him, "Blessings be upon you brother." Then he called his son and said to him, "Son, prepare supplies for the journey and set out with your brother. May God in heaven bring you safely there and return you in good health to me; and may his angel, my son accompany you both for your safety," Before he went out to start his journey he kissed his father and Mother. Tobit then said to him, "Have a safe journey,"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 17)
Oh God, my Father even though we are given assurance by others we still experience doubts and unbelief. I pray oh God that You strengthen our faith Amen. Oh God my Father I pray as in the case of Tobit that I merit and obtain Your blessing before making important decisions in life Amen.
¹⁸ But his mother began to weep, and said to Tobit, "Why is it that you have sent my child away? Is he not the staff of our hand as he goes in and out before us?"
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 18)
Oh God, my Father when couples do not agree on important decisions there will be stress in the family. Moreover when decisions are not the fruit of collaboration but only from one member of the family as in the case of Tobit. I pray for all couples who are experiencing such tensions in their family, to stop pray, hug each other and discuss the issue at hand Amen.
¹⁹ Do not heap money upon money, but let it be a ransom for our child.
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 19)
Oh God my Father as in the case of Tobit's wife, we learn to focus on the other side of the coin and not solely on how much we are going to gain from the situation in terms of money Amen.
²⁰ For the life that is given to us by the Lord is enough for us."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 20)
Oh God, my Father, I pray not to be rich but to have enough to cater for my basic needs to live an honest living which gives me the opportunity of continuing my life of prayer and my work Amen.
²¹ Tobit said to her, "Do not worry; our child will leave in good health and return tonus in good health. Your eyes will see him on the day when he returns to you in good health, Say no more! Do not fear for them, my sister.
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 21)
Oh God, my Father, I thank You for this biblical verse for it is very encouraging. I feel that You are telling me that my daughter left in good health and that in good health she will come back to me. Amen.
²² For a good angel will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health."
(The Book of Tobit Chapter 5 verse 22)
Oh God, my Father, I thank You that my wife is caring for my daughter, however, I pray that when the time is according to Your will I will be able to see her again Amen.
Oh God, my Father if we can pay and get the antivirus for the Covid-19 we would surely invest all our money in purchasing it. If we had to pay for our entrance in heaven we may not care so much because our minds have become worldly and as soon as this pandemic passes we will return to our old alienated lives. I pray that we learn and become aware that we are not in control of our lives but You are Amen. Moreover, apart from COVID-19 there is also the virus of sin which is more deadly since it can destroy both the body and the soul Amen.
