Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Tobit 3
Tobit 3:2And in those days, Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, prayed to the Lord and said, "O Lord, the God of righteousness, you hear the prayers of those who are in distress; you see the tears of the widows and orphans.
This verse establishes God as a righteous judge who specifically listens to the prayers of the distressed and the vulnerable.Tobit 3:11At that very time, the prayer of these two supplicants was heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.
This highlights the incredible timing of God, showing that He hears the prayers of different people in different places at the exact same moment.Tobit 3:17And Raphael was sent to heal the two of them: to scale away the white films of Tobit's eyes; to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel in marriage to Tobias the son of Tobit, and to bind Asmodeus the evil demon, because Tobias was entitled to possess her.
This verse introduces Raphael as the divine solution to both Tobit's physical blindness and Sarah's spiritual and social affliction.
Historical & Cultural Context
Tobit's Breaking Point and Cry for Mercy
After losing his sight and being mocked by his wife and neighbors in the previous chapters, Tobit reaches a point of total emotional exhaustion. He feels that his righteousness has only brought him misery and public shame. In his grief, he turns to God with a prayer that is both a confession of sin and a plea for his life to end.
Sarah's Humiliation and the Choice to Pray
The story shifts hundreds of miles away to Sarah, who is facing a different but equally crushing trial. She has been married seven times, but an evil demon has killed each husband on their wedding night. When her father's maid insults her and blames her for these deaths, Sarah contemplates suicide but ultimately chooses to bring her sorrow to God in the garden.
Two Prayers, One Divine Response
In Tobit 3:1-17, the narrative weaves together the desperate pleas of Tobit and Sarah. While they are separated by vast distances and different types of suffering, their prayers reach the throne of God simultaneously, setting the stage for a miraculous intervention.
Tobit's Lament (Tobit 3:1-6)
1 Then with much grief and anguish of heart I wept, and with groaning began to pray:
2 And in those days, Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, prayed to the Lord and said, "O Lord, the God of righteousness, you hear the prayers of those who are in distress; you see the tears of the widows and orphans.
3 And when she heard these things, she was very sorrowful, so that she thought to have strangled herself; and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be a reproach unto him, and bring his old age with sorrow to the grave.
4 For it was a great trial for her, and she was very perplexed.
5 And now deal with me as you will.’
6 Then she went out and began to pray in the garden of her house, lifting her voice to heaven.
Commentary:
Tobit prays for death because he is overwhelmed by his blindness and the mockery of others.
Sarah's Great Trial (Tobit 3:7-10)
7 On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media, it also happened that Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was reproached by one of her father's maids.
8 Because of the sins of the people of Israel, Jerusalem and your temple are laid waste, and now, our people are scattered.
9 Then with great grief and anguish of heart I wept, and with groaning began to pray:
10 When she heard these things, she was very sorrowful, so she thought to herself, "The Lord has humiliated me; he has taken my husband from me."
Commentary:
Sarah is insulted by a maid and nearly takes her life but decides to pray instead.
Sarah's Prayer in the Garden (Tobit 3:11-15)
11 At that very time, the prayer of these two supplicants was heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God.
12 "And now deal with me as you will."
13 And now deal with me as you will.’
14 For I see that I have not kept your commandments and have sinned before you.
15 And now, O Lord, I set my eyes and my face toward you.
Commentary:
Sarah prays in her garden, asking God to deal with her according to His will.
The Angel Raphael is Sent (Tobit 3:16-17)
16 And now deal with me as you will.”
17 And Raphael was sent to heal the two of them: to scale away the white films of Tobit's eyes; to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel in marriage to Tobias the son of Tobit, and to bind Asmodeus the evil demon, because Tobias was entitled to possess her.
Commentary:
God hears both prayers and sends the angel Raphael to bring healing and deliverance.
Finding Hope in the Midst of Deepest Despair
The Validity of Lament
This chapter shows that it is acceptable to tell God exactly how much you are hurting, even if you are asking for an end to your life. God does not scold Tobit or Sarah for their despair. Instead, He listens to their 'groaning' and responds with a plan for healing.
Divine Providence
Providence is the idea that God is working behind the scenes to guide events for good. Even though Tobit and Sarah don't know each other, God is already connecting their stories to bring about a double miracle through the angel Raphael.
God as the Healer of Shame
Both characters suffer from 'reproach,' which is a loss of respect and dignity in their community. God's response shows that He cares about restoring our social standing and inner peace just as much as He cares about physical health.
Applying the Lessons of Tobit and Sarah to Your Life
It teaches that you can be completely honest with God about your 'anguish of heart' (v. 1). You don't need to use fancy words or hide your pain. God is a 'God of righteousness' who hears those in distress and sees your tears (v. 2).
When you feel 'very sorrowful' or 'perplexed' like Sarah (v. 4), follow her example by 'lifting your voice to heaven' (v. 6). Even when you feel you have reached your limit, choosing to pray keeps the door open for God's intervention in ways you cannot yet see.
Yes, the chapter emphasizes that 'at that very time' (v. 11), God heard both prayers from two different places. Even if you feel alone, God is present and often working on a solution that involves people or resources you haven't even encountered yet.
God Answers When Hope Is Gone
Tobit 3 reveals that God is intimately aware of human suffering and the weight of shame. When Tobit and Sarah reach the end of their own strength, they turn their 'eyes and face' toward the Lord as their only hope. The message is clear: no matter how deep the despair, God’s presence is accessible through prayer. He is the God who heals the blind and delivers the oppressed, often working in the background long before we see the results.
What This Means for Us Today
Faith is the courage to cry out to God when everything feels lost. Tobit and Sarah didn't see the angel Raphael coming, but they trusted God with their 'anguish of heart' and were not disappointed. This chapter invites us to bring our honest pain to God, trusting that He is already orchestrating a way forward.
- What 'reproach' or shame do you need to hand over to God today?
- How can you remain open to God's help even when you feel 'perplexed'?
- Who can you support this week who might be feeling as discouraged as Tobit or Sarah?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Connections Across Scripture
A similar account of a righteous man expressing deep lament and wishing he had never been born.
A promise that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Jesus teaches about the necessity of praying always and not losing heart, much like Sarah did.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the author shows us two different people praying the same kind of prayer at the same time?
- Sarah chooses not to harm herself because of the impact it would have on her father. How does our connection to others influence how we handle our own pain?
- Raphael is sent before Tobit or Sarah know an answer is coming. Can you think of a time God was working on a problem before you even realized it?
Glossary
places
language
figures
Raphael
An angel sent by God to bring healing to Tobit and Sarah and to guide Tobias on his journey.
Asmodeus
An evil demon who killed Sarah's seven husbands and represented the spiritual oppression she faced.
Raguel
Sarah's father who lived in Media and was deeply concerned for his daughter's well-being.