There was once an upright and righteous man, named Tobit. He was obedient to the Law, and blameless in his ways. He had a wife and a child, named Tobiah. One day, the Jews were exiled out of Jerusalem to Assyria, and so Tobit and his family were forced to be exiled as well. When Tobit and his family were in their exile, he was generous in all that he did for his fellow brothers and sisters, giving them good food, water, and clothes to carry on. Tobit also buried his fellow brothers and sister who have passed or have been executed by the king of Assyria, at the time. This was dangerous and took courage to do so. One day, Tobit was sleeping outside with his face uncovered after doing good things, and then sparrows were above him, and their 'warm droppings' fell upon Tobit's eyes. He was completely blind. He was suffering every single day of his life now, and his wealth decreased to the level of poverty. For four years, he was blind. He prayed to The Lord God for deliverance, though in the form of taking his own life, for he suffered greatly.

That same day, another woman named Sarah was also suffering. She had seven husbands, but not because of unfaithfulness, but because of a demon. This demon which remained with Sarah killed any man that was wed to her, rendering her a deep depression. She also prayed to the Lord God for deliverance as well, in the same manner that Tobit prayed.

God hearing the cries of his people, answered their prayers at that moment. God sent the angel named Raphael to help these people, and to free them from their unjust suffering. This angel was the answer from God to Tobit's and Sarah's prayers.

Tobit, realizing that his time to pass is near, called his son Tobiah to collect ten talents (or 660 pounds) of silver from one of his depositors, and wanted Tobiah to claim it for his inheritance. Tobit also wanted his son to get married too. Tobiah decided that he will do what his father wants. The angel Raphael in the form of a human being was asked to guide Tobiah on his journey, and Raphael accepted. Tobit estimated the time needed for his son to complete the journey and so counted they days as they passed.

As Tobiah and Raphael were traveling, they caught a large fish by a river. The angel Raphael commanded Tobiah to keep the fish's gall, heart, and liver. Tobiah, clueless as to why, did it anyway. They continued their journey until Raphael said they needed to stay at a man's house whose name was Raguel, who had a daughter named Sarah, the same Sarah who was in a deep depression who was married to seven men, but they all died because of the demon. After some discussion between Tobiah and Raphael, Tobiah agreed to stay at their house and to get married to Sarah. So, Tobiah was in danger of dying.

But Raphael commanded Tobiah to burn the fish's heart and liver in the presence of Sarah. So this is what Tobiah did after he and Sarah got married. The demon was cast out, and Tobiah did not die. Thus, Sarah and Tobiah were very happily and joyfully married and prayed to the Lord God with thanksgiving. They celebrated for two weeks, but this put much anxiety on Tobiah's parents, for now much time had passed since Tobiah's departure, and they began to be extremely worried.

Tobiah remembered his dad's commands and so sent Raphael and some servants to get the ten talents of silver he needed for his dad. And this happened with no delay. Then it was time for Tobiah to return to his parents. Taking his newlywed wife and Raphael, they departed for Tobiah's home. When Tobiah's mother saw him, she was overjoyed and ran out to hug him and kiss him with great joy. Tobit, still blind, went out with guidance to meet his son, always trusting and knowing that the Lord has answered his prayers to the full.

Tobiah then, under the command of Raphael, put the fish's gall onto his dad's eyes, with his permission. After a short time and peeling away the white patches that were on his dad's eyes, Tobit could see again. He hugged his son greatly, and he was extremely grateful to the Lord God for delivering him out of his suffering the proper way. And they all lived happily ever after.

This is the super simplified and super short account of the Book of Tobit. Some details were left out of this account, but the hope is that the story of Tobit would encourage you to remain faithful to the Lord God, through his son Jesus Christ. Of course, buy a New Catholic Bible or an Orthodox Study Bible to find the Book of Tobit in that Bible.

Go in peace and Glorify the Lord with your life. Amen.