Daily Bible Reading: Tobit 7-8 and Luke 21

Tobit 7 – They go to Raguel’s home and are well-received. Raguel learns that Tobias is son of his kinsman, Tobit. Raguel responds warmly to Tobias’ appeal to marry his daughter, and he tells the whole story about the seven husbands. They are given in marriage and Sarah’s mother goes to prepare the place where they will come together.

Tobit 8 – Tobias does as he was instructed and burns the fish’s organs on the incense. This drives the demon to the “remotest parts of Egypt” where he is bound by Raphael “hand and foot”(8:3). Tobias then, joined by Sarah, offers prayer to God. He makes reference in his prayer to the story of Adam and Eve:

                                    It was you [O God] who created Adam,

                                    You who created Eve his wife

                                    To be his help and support;

                                    And from these two the human race was born.

            It was you who said,

                                    ‘It is no good that the man should be alone;

                                    let us make him a helpmate like himself’.

                                    And so I do not take my sister

                                    For any lustful motive;

                                    I do it in singleness of heart.

                                    Be kind enough to have pity on her and on me

                                    And bring us to old age together (8:6-7).

Meanwhile, Dad is not so sure Tobias will make it. He goes out and digs a grave – just in case. When a servant tells him that Tobias is fine, he goes out and fills in the grave before they wake in the morning. They celebrate the marriage for fourteen days thereafter. Raguel gives Tobias half of all his property. No specific reference is made to the silver Tobias came for, but perhaps it is included in “all the property.”

Luke 21 – Jesus compares the religious offerings of the rich and the poor and praises the poor widow who offers just two small copper coins; “poor as she is, [she] gave all she had to live on” (21:4).

As for the rich ornamentation in the Temple, Jesus reminds them that the Temple will soon be a pile of rubble.  They ask him when this will occur, and Jesus turns his teaching to the destruction of the “last days.” Do not believe those who come and say the time is near.  Do not follow them.  Do not be afraid when you hear of wars for the end will not follow immediately (21:9). First, there will be persecutions “because of my name” (21:12). It will give you a chance to testify to the gospel. “I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict” (21:15). Parents and friends will betray you “but not a hair of your head will perish.  By your endurance you will gain your souls” (21:19).

                 

When Jerusalem in surrounded by armies, you must flee to the mountains.  There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.  “Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud with great power and glory” (21:27). The time of your redemption will be near. Jesus likens these mysterious happenings with the simple signs of summer that we can read from just looking at a fig tree when its leaves begin to appear in spring. “in the same way, when you see these things happening, you will know that the Kingdom of God is about to come” (21:29-31). This generation “will not pass away until all things have taken place” (21:32). Be alert, therefore, at all times, praying that you may have strength to endure to the end. Jesus spent all day teaching things like this in the Temple. Then at night he would go back out to the Mt. of Olives.