TobitChapter 13

Tobit Chapter 13: Meaning

Tobit sings a prayer of praise to God and looks forward to the day Jerusalem will be rebuilt in glory.

Summary

After Raphael was gone, Tobit was full of joy and praise. He composed a long prayer to God. He praised God as the living, eternal God who both disciplines and shows mercy, who can bring people down and lift them back up. No one can hide from God's power, but God also heals everyone he has struck.

Tobit called on all Jewish people scattered across the nations to praise God in front of their neighbors and neighbors' nations. He told them to call out to God with their whole hearts. He said that if they turn back to God, God will turn back to them. He confessed that the exile was a punishment for sin, but held out hope that God would gather his people again.

Tobit then sang about the future of Jerusalem. He pictured the holy city being rebuilt with precious stones, sapphire walls, gold towers, and streets paved with jewels. He said the streets of Jerusalem would ring with praise and hallelujah. All the nations would one day come to worship God there.

Tobit ended with a personal blessing, hoping he would live to see even a few of his descendants witness Jerusalem's glory. He called everyone to bless the Lord who will reign over Jerusalem forever.

Historical Context

Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians not long before this story takes place. Jewish people in exile mourned the ruined city and the destroyed temple. Tobit's vision of a restored and glorious Jerusalem gave people real hope.

This kind of praise song, looking ahead to what God would do in the future, is similar to the songs of the Psalms and the visions in Isaiah. It helped Jewish exiles hold on to their faith and identity while living far from their homeland.