Книга Товита, Глава 2, стих 14. Толкования стиха

TOBIT SAW SPIRITUAL MATTERS. BEDE: Tobit’s relatives taunted him, and even his wife upbraided him as if he had served God in vain. But he rebuked and instructed them and turned to God in prayer. There were some among that people who with foolish temerity treated with derision the misfortunes of his people because they were already far from the original happiness of their holy ancestors who once nobly served God in their midst. But the same people earnestly took care to correct these through all their more learned and chosen ones and turned to imploring God’s mercy to obtain eternal life. Nor should it seem absurd that this Tobit, blind as he was and preaching God’s word, is said to signify both reprobate and elect alike. For the patriarch Jacob too, while wrestling with the angel, was both lamed and blessed, signifying, that is, by his limping the unbelievers of his nation and by his blessing the believers. ON TOBIT 2.10-11.

BLIND TOBIT RIDICULES UNCHARITABLE WOMEN. ANONYMOUS ANOMOEAN: “Why have you spoken like one of the many foolish women?” He says, O woman, there have been many foolish women since the beginning of the world. There are countless women who, from the earliest times, have shown themselves unreasonable: some less so, others more, some carnally, others also spiritually. Rebecca was foolish when she said to Isaac, “Give me children,” because in fact Isaac did not have the power to do so, since the power and initiative were God’s. But even more foolish was that obscene Egyptian whore who, assaulting the chaste and righteous Joseph with the utmost godlessness, said, “Lie with me!” Tobit’s wife was foolish, who unjustly said to Tobiah, “Where are your alms? Where are your good works? See, this shows how you have been brought low!” But even more foolish, because she was more wicked, was that abominable, filthy and lustful Delilah, who, having seduced Samson in secret, who loved her purely, ruthlessly consigned him to derision and death.

Товит «милостыни многи твopит братии» своей (Тов. 1:3), «хлебы дает алчущим и одеяние нагим, погребает» бедственно умерших (Тов. 1:17); и за сие от врагов своего народа подвергается разграблению имения и опасности жизни. Освободясь от опасности, дерзает на прежний подвиг: и, по нечаянному случаю, бывшему следствием сего подвига, лишается зрения, и впадает в нищету. Где же обещанное благотворящему словом Божиим «избавление в день лют»? – Оно несколько медлит, для того, чтобы явиться тем более чудным. Ангел Рафаил руководствует сына Товитова; доставляет ему щастливое супружество, богатство, средство для возвращения отцу зрения; и событиями больше, нежели словами, учит Товита, Едну, Товию, – и нас, что «благо молитва с постом и милостынею и правдою»; что «добро творити милостыню, нежели сокровиществовати злато» (Тов. 12:8).