Chapter Reflection

Tobit 11 depicts the restoration of a family and the physical illumination of a father through a synergistic act of obedience and divine remedy. The return of Tobias is marked by the visceral maternal longing of Anna and the stumbling, expectant movement of the blind Tobit toward his son. Raphael instructs Tobias to use the bitter gall of a fish as a medicinal agent, showing that God often works healing through the material world and human cooperation rather than by a distant decree. As the 'whiteness' falls away from Tobit’s eyes, his first sight is his child, leading him to recognize that his previous suffering was a transformative discipline that has now yielded to the light of mercy. The chapter closes not in private relief, but in a communal celebration that radiates through the gates of Nineveh, turning a house of mourning into a bridal chamber of joy.

Healing through matterFilial cooperationIlluminationCommunal joy

Tobit 11

1After these things Tobias went his way, praising God that he had given him a prosperous journey, and blessed Raguel and Edna his wife, and went on his way till they drew near unto Nineve.

2Then Raphael said to Tobias, Thou knowest, brother, how thou didst leave thy father:

3Let us haste before thy wife, and prepare the house.

4And take in thine hand the gall of the fish. So they went their way, and the dog went after them.

5Now Anna sat looking about toward the way for her son.

6And when she espied him coming, she said to his father, Behold, thy son cometh, and the man that went with him.

7Then said Raphael, I know, Tobias, that thy father will open his eyes.

8Therefore anoint thou his eyes with the gall, and being pricked therewith, he shall rub, and the whiteness shall fall away, and he shall see thee.

9Then Anna ran forth, and fell upon the neck of her son, and said unto him, Seeing I have seen thee, my son, from henceforth I am content to die. And they wept both.

10Tobit also went forth toward the door, and stumbled: but his son ran unto him,

11And took hold of his father: and he strake of the gall on his fathers’ eyes, saying, Be of good hope, my father.

12And when his eyes began to smart, he rubbed them;

13And the whiteness pilled away from the corners of his eyes: and when he saw his son, he fell upon his neck.

14And he wept, and said, Blessed art thou, O God, and blessed is thy name for ever; and blessed are all thine holy angels:

15For thou hast scourged, and hast taken pity on me: for, behold, I see my son Tobias. And his son went in rejoicing, and told his father the great things that had happened to him in Media.

16Then Tobit went out to meet his daughter in law at the gate of Nineve, rejoicing and praising God: and they which saw him go marvelled, because he had received his sight.

17But Tobias gave thanks before them, because God had mercy on him. And when he came near to Sara his daughter in law, he blessed her, saying, Thou art welcome, daughter: God be blessed, which hath brought thee unto us, and blessed be thy father and thy mother. And there was joy among all his brethren which were at Nineve.

18And Achiacharus, and Nasbas his brother’s son, came:

19And Tobias’ wedding was kept seven days with great joy.

Who God is

How do you respond to a God who restores sight through the sting of bitter gall and the hands of a son?

The condition of man

When the scales fall from your eyes, how does your capacity to bless others expand to include even those who witnessed your previous affliction?