This verse from Tobit 13:6 is a powerful call to repentance and faith, offering hope and redemption to those who turn wholeheartedly to God. Let's break down its meaning:
"If you turn to him with your whole heart and with your whole soul, to do truth before him, then will he turn to you, and won’t hide his face from you."
This establishes a condition: sincere and complete repentance and devotion. It's not a superficial turning, but a transformation of the entire being (heart and soul).
"To do truth before him" implies living righteously, honestly, and in accordance with God's will. It means aligning actions with beliefs.
The promise is reciprocal: if people turn to God with their entire being, God will turn to them. He will not remain distant or unresponsive (hiding his face), but will show favor and presence.
"See what he will do with you. Give him thanks with your whole mouth."
This encourages believers to witness God's transformative power in their lives. It suggests that turning to God will result in positive changes and blessings.
The command to "Give him thanks with your whole mouth" emphasizes expressing gratitude fully and openly. It's about heartfelt praise and recognition of God's goodness.
"Bless the Lord of righteousness. Exalt the everlasting King."
This is a call to worship and acknowledge God's attributes. "Lord of righteousness" speaks to God's just and upright nature. "Everlasting King" highlights God's eternal reign and sovereignty.
"I give him thanks in the land of my captivity, and show his strength and majesty to a nation of sinners."
This shows the speaker (likely Tobit) expressing gratitude to God even in difficult circumstances ("land of my captivity"). This suggests that one can find strength and hope in God regardless of their present condition.
"Show his strength and majesty to a nation of sinners" indicates a mission to testify to God's power and glory, even to those who are not believers. It's an act of evangelism and witness.
"Turn, you sinners, and do righteousness before him. Who can tell if he will accept you and have mercy on you?"
This is a direct appeal to "sinners" (those who have strayed from God's path) to repent and live righteously.
The phrase "Who can tell if he will accept you and have mercy on you?" does not indicate doubt about God's willingness to forgive, but rather emphasizes the importance of repentance and faith. It is also saying that God is sovereign. The speaker is not sure to what extent their pleas will find favor with God.
In Summary:
Tobit 13:6 is a powerful call for genuine repentance, faith, and worship. It assures those who sincerely turn to God that He will respond with favor and presence. The verse emphasizes expressing gratitude, acknowledging God's righteousness and eternal sovereignty, and bearing witness to His power even in difficult circumstances. It also contains an appeal for sinners to repent and turn to the lord, with a measure of tentativeness. It highlights the importance of aligning actions with beliefs and living righteously before God.
This verse from Tobit 13:6 is a powerful call to repentance and faith, offering hope and redemption to those who turn wholeheartedly to God. Let's break down its meaning:
"If you turn to him with your whole heart and with your whole soul, to do truth before him, then will he turn to you, and won’t hide his face from you."
This establishes a condition: sincere and complete repentance and devotion. It's not a superficial turning, but a transformation of the entire being (heart and soul).
"To do truth before him" implies living righteously, honestly, and in accordance with God's will. It means aligning actions with beliefs.
The promise is reciprocal: if people turn to God with their entire being, God will turn to them. He will not remain distant or unresponsive (hiding his face), but will show favor and presence.
"See what he will do with you. Give him thanks with your whole mouth."
This encourages believers to witness God's transformative power in their lives. It suggests that turning to God will result in positive changes and blessings.
The command to "Give him thanks with your whole mouth" emphasizes expressing gratitude fully and openly. It's about heartfelt praise and recognition of God's goodness.
"Bless the Lord of righteousness. Exalt the everlasting King."
This is a call to worship and acknowledge God's attributes. "Lord of righteousness" speaks to God's just and upright nature. "Everlasting King" highlights God's eternal reign and sovereignty.
"I give him thanks in the land of my captivity, and show his strength and majesty to a nation of sinners."
This shows the speaker (likely Tobit) expressing gratitude to God even in difficult circumstances ("land of my captivity"). This suggests that one can find strength and hope in God regardless of their present condition.
"Show his strength and majesty to a nation of sinners" indicates a mission to testify to God's power and glory, even to those who are not believers. It's an act of evangelism and witness.
"Turn, you sinners, and do righteousness before him. Who can tell if he will accept you and have mercy on you?"
This is a direct appeal to "sinners" (those who have strayed from God's path) to repent and live righteously.
The phrase "Who can tell if he will accept you and have mercy on you?" does not indicate doubt about God's willingness to forgive, but rather emphasizes the importance of repentance and faith. It is also saying that God is sovereign. The speaker is not sure to what extent their pleas will find favor with God.
In Summary:
Tobit 13:6 is a powerful call for genuine repentance, faith, and worship. It assures those who sincerely turn to God that He will respond with favor and presence. The verse emphasizes expressing gratitude, acknowledging God's righteousness and eternal sovereignty, and bearing witness to His power even in difficult circumstances. It also contains an appeal for sinners to repent and turn to the lord, with a measure of tentativeness. It highlights the importance of aligning actions with beliefs and living righteously before God.