Tobit 5:11-15: a reflection

11He said to him, “Do you seek a tribe and a family, or a hired man which will go with your son?” And Tobit said to him, “I want to know, brother, your kindred and your name.” 12And he said, “I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, of your kindred.” 13And he said to him, “Welcome, brother. Don’t be angry with me, because I sought to know your tribe and family. You are my brother, of an honest and good lineage; for I knew Ananias and Jathan, the sons of Shemaiah the great, when we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of our increase; and they didn’t go astray in the error of our kindred. My brother, you are of a great stock. 14But tell me, what wages shall I give you? A drachma a day, and those things that be necessary for you, as to my son? 15And moreover, if you both return safe and sound, I will add something to your wages.”

As Tobias prepares for a long and dangerous journey, his father seeks a companion to go with him and guide him, and one presents himself, offering to travel with the young man. What Tobit does not know, though the reader does, is that this companion is more than he appears; God has provided, in this traveler, a guide and protector for the journey, though his true nature is hidden. God had arranged a companion and guide for the journey, providing help that Tobit did not fully recognize.

Notice God's provision of a companion and guide, unrecognized. Tobit sought a traveling companion for his son, and one came; but this companion was God's own provision, sent to guide and protect on the journey, though Tobit did not know his true nature. God had provided the very help the journey required, arranging a guide and protector, though the provision was hidden, not recognized for what it was. God's care went before them, providing a companion for the way, whose true help would become clear only in time.

That is worth taking to heart, for God provides companions and help for our journey, sometimes unrecognized at the time. Along the way of our lives, God provides help, companions, guidance, provision for the journey; and we may not always recognize these as God's provision at the time, seeing only ordinary people or circumstances, as Tobit did not recognize the true nature of his son's companion. Do not assume that God has left you without help for your journey because you cannot always see his hand; he provides companions, guidance, and help along the way, sometimes unrecognized at the time, as he provided a guide for Tobias's journey. Trust that God goes before you, providing what your journey requires, even help you may not recognize as his at the time, as he arranged an unrecognized guide and protector for Tobias's dangerous journey; God's care provides companions and help for the way, whether or not we recognize them at the time.

Lord, as Tobias prepares for a long and dangerous journey, his father seeks a companion to go with him and guide him, and one presents himself. What Tobit does not know, though the reader does, is that this companion is more than he appears; you have provided, in this traveler, a guide and protector for the journey, though his true nature is hidden. You had arranged a companion and guide, providing help that Tobit did not fully recognize. Show me your provision of a companion and guide, unrecognized. Tobit sought a traveling companion for his son, and one came; but this companion was your own provision, sent to guide and protect, though Tobit did not know his true nature. You had provided the very help the journey required, though the provision was hidden. Your care went before them. Take that to my heart, for you provide companions and help for my journey, sometimes unrecognized at the time. Along the way of my life, you provide help, companions, guidance, provision; and I may not always recognize these as your provision at the time, seeing only ordinary people or circumstances, as Tobit did not recognize his son's companion. Keep me from assuming that you have left me without help for my journey because I cannot always see your hand; you provide companions, guidance, and help along the way, sometimes unrecognized. Help me trust that you go before me, Lord, providing what my journey requires, even help I may not recognize as yours at the time.