Scripture Daily

Context No. 3925 of 4322 · Tobit

Context · Reflection

Tobit 1:15-22: in context

15And when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his place. In his time, the highways were troubled, and I could no longer go into Media. 16In the days of Enemessar, I did many alms deeds to my kindred: I gave my bread to the hungry, 17and my garments to the naked. If I saw any of my race dead, and thrown out on the wall of Ninevah, I buried him. 18If Sennacherib the king killed any, when he came fleeing from Judea, I buried them privately; for in his wrath he killed many; and the bodies were sought for by the king, and were not found. 19But one of the Ninevites went and showed to the king concerning me, how I buried them, and hid myself; and when I knew that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear. 20And all my goods were forcibly taken away, and there was nothing left to me, save my wife Anna and my son Tobias. 21No more than fifty five days passed before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat. And Sarchedonus his son reigned in his place; and he appointed Achiacharus my brother Anael’s son over all the accounts of his kingdom, and over all his affairs. 22Achiacharus requested me, and I came to Nineveh. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, steward, and overseer of the accounts. Sarchedonus appointed him next to himself, but he was my brother’s son.

Tobit, an exile in Nineveh, describes a life marked by quiet, costly acts of mercy. He gave his bread to the hungry and his clothing to the naked, and, at great personal risk, he buried the bodies of his own people whom the king had killed and thrown out, even though burying them was forbidden and risked his life.

When he was found out, he had to flee, and all his goods were seized. His compassion cost him dearly. There is a challenge here in Tobit's example. He did what was right, the works of mercy, not only when it was easy but when it was dangerous and costly. Burying the dead brought him no reward and much risk, yet he did it because it was right and because these were his people. It is one thing to be kind when kindness is safe and applauded; it is another to keep doing good when it may cost us our security, our possessions, even our safety. Tobit's persistence in mercy under threat is a model of a righteousness that does not calculate the cost but simply does what is right before God.

Do I keep doing what is right, the works of mercy, even when they are costly or dangerous, as Tobit did, or does my kindness stop where it begins to threaten my own safety and comfort?

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