Above: The Healing of Tobit, by Bernardo Strozzi
Image in the Public Domain
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READING TOBIT
PART IX
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Tobit 11:7-12:22
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Tobit had the money he needed. He also had a new daughter-in-law (Sarah) and the restoration of his eyesight. He did not expect these blessings. Tobit, being pious, praised God at the top of his voice. He, prepared to die, had new, better life. Even Ahikar (1:21-22; 2:10) joined the celebration (11:18).
Tobias, assuming that his guide was a mere mortal, paid “Azarias” handsomely and attributed the success of the journey to him. “Azarias,” really the archangel Raphael, gave all the credit to God then revealed his identity and departed. I guess the dog did, too. If the canine was also an angel in disguise, why not?
Anyway, the last mention of the dog occurs in 11:4. The dog may indeed be a remnant from folklore. The author of the Book of Tobit seems to have had little interest in the canine.
According to Judeo-Christian angelology, there are seven archangels (Tobit 12:15; 1 Enoch 20:1-8). We have the names of all of them:
- Raphael (Tobit 3:16-17/18, depending on versification; Tobit 5-4-8:3); Tobit 9:1-6; Tobit 11:1-12:22; 1 Enoch 20:3);
- Gabriel (Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21; 1 Enoch 20:7; Luke 1:19, 26);
- Michael (Daniel 10:13, 21; Daniel 12:1; 1 Enoch 20:5; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7);
- Uriel (2 Esdras 4:1; 2 Esdras 5:20; 2 Esdras 10:28);
- Raguel (1 Enoch 20:4);
- Saraqael (1 Enoch 20:6); and
- Suruel (1 Enoch 20:2).
A Greek fragment of 1 Enoch adds another name: Remiel, perhaps an alternative name for Uriel, and definitely not an alternative name for any of the other six archangels.
In the story, Raphael insisted that he was merely performing God’s bidding, so God deserved all the praise and glory. The angel, who could not exist apart from God, was an agent of God.
May we also be agents of God, by grace. And may we glorify God, not ourselves.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
DECEMBER 3, 2020 COMMON ERA
THE FIFTH DAY OF ADVENT
THE FEAST OF SAINT MARUTHAS, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF MAYPHERKAT AND MISSIONARY TO PERSIA
THE FEAST OF AMILIE JULIANE, COUNTESS OF SCHWARZBURG-RUDOLSTADT, GERMAN LUTHERAN HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL TAIT, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
THE FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONARY TO THE FAR EAST
THE FEAST OF SOPHIE KOULOMZIN, RUSSIAN-AMERICAN CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR
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This is post #2400 of BLOGA THEOLOGICA.
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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