THE BOOK OF TOBIT - PART I

THE BACKGROUND, THE PLOT, AND THE THEMES

I. The Book of Tobit is like an historical novel, describing what was likely events surrounding a real person in exile but in a very stylized way to make a point. It is thus somewhat like some of the Shakespearean plays (e.g., Macbeth, Julius Caesar, or King Lear) or some of the accounts of Charlemagne (e.g., the Song of Roland.)

II. The main themes are: (1) the importance of fidelity to the law and the reward for those who carry it out; (2) the centrality of faithfulness to God to any authentic marital love and the importance of family life; (3) the basic principles of righteousness, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as sustaining one through life and the power of prayer accompanied by such faithfulness and generosity; (4) God's providence especially during suffering; and (5) the guidance of angels.