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BIBLE STUDIES
DR PHILIP THAYIL V C
TOBIT, JUDITH, ESTHER
Tobit
The book of Tobit, written
towards the end of the third century BC, is a narrative meant for instruction.
What we find in this book is an attempt to exhort the readers and guide
them in their spiritual growth by basing the story on some historical facts.
This book teaches us, through the story of Tobit, a man of God, how to
remain faithful to the laws of the Covenant even in the midst of suffering.
It also tells us about the divine blessings bestowed on us for this faithfulness.
Tobit, the chief character
in the story, is a just man. Yet what he had to face were numberless tribulations.
He lost his eyesight and became an object of contempt to his life partner.
He prayed to Yahweh to bless himwith the gift of death. (cf Tob 3:6). A
similar fate overtook Sarah, the beautiful and good daughter of Raguel.
Though married seven times, on the very first night of each wedding, she
lost her husband. Thus she incurred the scorn and ridicule of her maids.
Like Tobit she longed to die. God showed great mercy to both of them through
his messenger, Raphael. Tobit was miraculously cured of his blindness and
Sarah was delivered from the hands of demons. Eventually she became, according
to what God had ordained for her, the wife of Tobias, the son of Tobit
and they lived a happy married life. The Book of Tobit ends on a happy
note.
This book can be divided
into six parts.
1. The trials of Tobit (1:1-3:6)
2. The trials of Sarah(3:7-17)
3. The journey of Tobias
and his marriage to Sarah(4:1-9:6)
4. The return journey of
Tobias and the recovery of Tobit (10:1-11:18)
5. The self-revelation of
Raphael (12:1-13;18)
6. Tobit's farewell advice
(14:1-18)
A deep faith in God and
social consciousness are characteristics of this book. The book has as
its main themes, fidelity to the Covenant, an exemplary family life, a
pure conjugal relationship, the necesity of almsgiving and other works
of charity. It also reminds us that God's devotees will be beset by trials
and difficulties, but, if they remain steadfast in their faith during the
period of testing, they will one day enjoy his blessings.
Judith
The book of Judith was written
by the end of the second century BC. Based on historical facts, it has
a didactic end in view. The story is centred on Judith, a widow of peerless
beauty, intelligence and devotion to God. The contents of the book comprise
the victory won by the Israelites through the brave intervention of Judith.
The Israelites were astounded at the strength of the gentile foes and were
preparing to surrender to them. It was then that Judith, burning with zeal
for Yahweh, beheaded the army general and routed the enemy. Her victory
was the result of fasting and prayer (cf 8:4-6). God revealed his power
through a weak and widowed woman. Judith is an example of courage to the
Israelites.
This book can be divided
into three parts.
1. The danger faced by the
Israelites (1:1-7:32).
2. The intervention of Judith
(8:1-9:14).
3. Judith's triumph over
Holofernes (10:1-16:25).
The book of Judith reminds
us that the people of God need not fear any unfavourable circumstance and
that if we remain faithful to God, we shall achieve success finally.
Esther
The book of Esther was written
in the second century BC. It recounts the story of the deliverance of the
Israelites through the instrumentality of a woman called Esther. The background
of the story is the reign of King Ahasuerus. During his time the Jews became
a prey to the cruelty and persecution of a ruthless and powerful man called
Haman. He managed to get an order from the king to destroy the whole lot
of the Jews. Esther became the queen, according to the will of God and
lived under the direction of her cousin Mordecai. When the King came to
know of Haman's wickedness, he gave orders for Haman to be hanged and made
Mordecai the next in rank to himself. He withdrew his command to destroy
the Jews. The Jews were overjoyed. They instituted the feast of Purim to
celebrate this deliverance and observed it every year.
When the book of Esther
was translated from Hebrew to Greek, the translator made some additions.
These additions have not been accepted canonically by Jews and Protestants.
Catholics regard them as Deutero-canonical. These additions (6 chapters)
have been incorporated into the book at various points.
This book can be divided
chiefly into four parts.
1.Esther becomes queen (1:1-2:23).
2. Haman plots to destroy
the Jewish people (3:1-6:14).
3. The Jews are saved (7:1-10:3).
4. The deutero-canonical
parts(chs 10-16).
The book of Esther teaches
us that God protects his people continuously and if we remain faithful
to him, he will never forsake us.
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