The verse "And he called the angel, and said to him, “Take half of all that you all have brought.”" (Tobit 12:5) refers to Tobit offering a reward to the angel Raphael after Raphael has revealed his true identity and divine purpose in their lives. Let's break down what this means:
Context: This happens near the end of the Book of Tobit. Tobit and his son Tobias have experienced a series of miraculous events, orchestrated by the angel Raphael in disguise. Tobias traveled to Media, retrieved the money owed to Tobit, found a wife (Sarah), and healed Tobit's blindness.
"And he called the angel": After Raphael revealed himself, Tobit recognized the divine nature of the help they received.
"Take half of all that you all have brought": This is the key part. Tobit, overwhelmed with gratitude, wants to give half of their wealth (probably referring to the money brought back from Media, plus possibly other riches) to Raphael as a reward. This is intended as a sign of immense appreciation for the angel's guidance and assistance.
Significance:
Acknowledging Divine Help: The offer represents Tobit's recognition that their good fortune wasn't simply luck or coincidence. They understood they had received divine intervention.
Inadequate Reward: In the following verses, Raphael refuses the gift, stating that God is the source of their blessings. He emphasizes that their gratitude should be expressed through praising and giving thanks to God, not by offering material wealth to an angel.
Spiritual Focus: Raphael redirects Tobit's attention from material offerings to spiritual devotion, stressing the importance of living righteously and sharing their blessings with others.
In essence, the verse illustrates Tobit's heartfelt gratitude and attempt to repay the angel, but also sets the stage for Raphael's instruction that true thankfulness lies in worshipping God and living a virtuous life.
The verse "And he called the angel, and said to him, “Take half of all that you all have brought.”" (Tobit 12:5) refers to Tobit offering a reward to the angel Raphael after Raphael has revealed his true identity and divine purpose in their lives. Let's break down what this means:
Context: This happens near the end of the Book of Tobit. Tobit and his son Tobias have experienced a series of miraculous events, orchestrated by the angel Raphael in disguise. Tobias traveled to Media, retrieved the money owed to Tobit, found a wife (Sarah), and healed Tobit's blindness.
"And he called the angel": After Raphael revealed himself, Tobit recognized the divine nature of the help they received.
"Take half of all that you all have brought": This is the key part. Tobit, overwhelmed with gratitude, wants to give half of their wealth (probably referring to the money brought back from Media, plus possibly other riches) to Raphael as a reward. This is intended as a sign of immense appreciation for the angel's guidance and assistance.
Significance:
Acknowledging Divine Help: The offer represents Tobit's recognition that their good fortune wasn't simply luck or coincidence. They understood they had received divine intervention.
Inadequate Reward: In the following verses, Raphael refuses the gift, stating that God is the source of their blessings. He emphasizes that their gratitude should be expressed through praising and giving thanks to God, not by offering material wealth to an angel.
Spiritual Focus: Raphael redirects Tobit's attention from material offerings to spiritual devotion, stressing the importance of living righteously and sharing their blessings with others.
In essence, the verse illustrates Tobit's heartfelt gratitude and attempt to repay the angel, but also sets the stage for Raphael's instruction that true thankfulness lies in worshipping God and living a virtuous life.
