Praying for Deliverance: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Tobit 3

Executive Summary

Tobit 3 recounts a poignant moment of shared suffering and fervent prayer. We witness both Tobit, unjustly blinded and mocked, and Sarah, tormented by a demon and having lost seven husbands, turning to God in desperation. Their prayers, though seemingly for death, are, in reality, cries for divine intervention, justice, and deliverance. This chapter beautifully illustrates the power of prayer in the face of immense hardship, the unwavering faithfulness of God, and the hope that anchors the soul even in the darkest of times. Our focus key phrase, praying for deliverance, encapsulates the essence of this chapter: the desperate plea for God’s merciful intervention in moments of profound suffering and perceived hopelessness.

Tobit 3 unveils the depths of human suffering and the unwavering hope found in praying for deliverance. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, we can turn to God in prayer.

Commentary Sections

Tobit’s Prayer (Tobit 3:1-6)

Tobit 3:1-6 (KJV): ¹ Then I was grieved, and wept, and prayed, and began to make my prayer to God, ² and said, O Lord, thou art just, and all thy works and all thy ways are mercy and truth, and thou judgest truly and justly for ever. ³ Remember me, O Lord, and look on me, punish me not for my sins, neither remember my ignorances, nor the sins of my fathers, who have sinned before thee: ⁴ for they obeyed not thy commandments: wherefore thou hast delivered us for a spoil, unto captivity, and unto death, and unto a proverb for a reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed. ⁵ And now thy judgments are many and true: deal with me according to my sins and my fathers’: because we have not kept thy commandments, neither have walked in truth before thee. ⁶ Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee, and command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may depart, and be dissolved, and become earth again: for it is better for me to die than to behold so great trouble.

Tobit begins his prayer with lament and a recognition of God’s justice and mercy. He acknowledges the sins of his fathers and himself, leading to their captivity and suffering. His plea for death is not a rejection of faith, but a desperate expression of pain and a desire to escape the unbearable hardship. This resonates with the lamentations found throughout the Psalms, particularly Psalm 6:6-7, “I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies.”

The Patristic understanding of such pleas for death is nuanced. St. Augustine, while generally condemning suicide, acknowledges the immense pressures and temptations that can drive a person to such despair. We see this reflected in Augustine’s *City of God*, where he grapples with the question of whether suicide can ever be justifiable. Coptic Orthodox theology, firmly rooted in the Desert Fathers’ emphasis on endurance and perseverance, interprets Tobit’s prayer as a moment of profound weakness, yet also as a testament to his ultimate reliance on God. The key is that Tobit *prays* – he doesn’t take matters into his own hands but submits to God’s will, even in his despair.

Spiritual Application: Even when facing overwhelming suffering, turn to God in prayer, acknowledging your dependence on Him. Remember that God’s justice is always tempered with mercy. Even in the deepest despair, He offers hope.

Sarah’s Prayer (Tobit 3:7-15)

Tobit 3:7-15 (KJV): ⁷ The selfsame day also it fell out that Sara the daughter of Raguel in Media was reproached of one of her father’s maids; ⁸ because that she had been married to seven husbands, whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed, before they had lain with her. ⁹ Art thou not ashamed, said she, that thou hast strangled thine husbands? thou hast had already seven husbands, neither wast thou worthy to have them. ¹⁰ Wherefore dost thou beat us for them? if they be dead, go thy ways after them, let us never see of thee either son or daughter. ¹¹ When she heard these things, she was very sorry, so that she thought to have strangled herself; and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, neither have I any child to be his comfort: and if I do this, it shall be a reproach unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave. ¹² Then she prayed toward the window, and said, Thou art blessed, O Lord my God, and thine holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable for ever: let all thy works praise thee for ever. ¹³ And now, O Lord, I set mine eyes and my face toward thee, and say, Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me, and destroy me not with my sins. ¹⁴ Thou knowest, O Lord, that I have kept myself pure from all sin with man. ¹⁵ Neither have I defiled my name, nor the name of my father in the land of my captivity: I am the only daughter of my father, neither hath he any child to inherit; neither hath he any kinsman near to take me to wife: wherefore should I live any longer? or why should I not hear my reproach?

Sarah’s situation is equally dire. She has endured the tragic loss of seven husbands, each killed by the demon Asmodeus. She faces shame, ridicule, and despair. Her prayer, like Tobit’s, is a plea for release from suffering, acknowledging her innocence and the devastation her potential suicide would cause her father. This highlights the societal pressures placed upon women in that era, where marriage and procreation were paramount.

The presence of Asmodeus, a demon of lust and jealousy, underscores the spiritual battle being waged. The story emphasizes the power of prayer and divine intervention to overcome even demonic forces. Coptic Orthodox tradition teaches that demons are real entities that seek to disrupt God’s plan and inflict suffering. Through faith and prayer, we can resist their influence. St. Anthony the Great, in his *Letters*, frequently warns against the subtle and insidious ways demons attempt to lead believers astray. He emphasizes the importance of vigilance, prayer, and unwavering faith in Christ to overcome their attacks. Sarah’s prayer is a perfect example of praying for deliverance from such attacks.

The geographic context is also important. Sarah lives in Media, a region with a rich history and diverse religious influences. The presence of a demon like Asmodeus suggests a syncretism of beliefs, where traditional Jewish faith interacted with local pagan practices. This reminds us that spiritual battles are often fought in the context of cultural and historical realities.

Spiritual Application: When facing spiritual attacks or overwhelming shame, remember that God sees your heart and knows your innocence. Turn to Him in prayer, seeking His protection and deliverance. Don’t succumb to despair but trust in His power to overcome evil.

God Hears Their Prayers (Tobit 3:16-17)

Tobit 3:16-17 (KJV): ¹⁶ At that time the prayers of them both were heard before the glory of the most High. ¹⁷ And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to scale away the whiteness of Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sara Raguel’s daughter unto Tobias to wife; and to bind Asmodeus the evil spirit; because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance.

This is the turning point. God hears their prayers! The prayers of Tobit and Sarah ascend to the “glory of the most High,” and God responds by sending the angel Raphael to heal them and deliver them from their respective trials. This underscores the power of prayer, especially when offered in humility and desperation. It reinforces the belief that God is attentive to the cries of His people and will intervene according to His will. The angel Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” is a divine messenger of hope and restoration. His role is not only to physically heal Tobit and Sarah but also to facilitate their spiritual healing and bring them together in marriage. He embodies God’s mercy and providence.

The intervention of Raphael also connects to the broader narrative of salvation history. Just as angels played crucial roles in the Old Testament, such as Gabriel announcing the birth of John the Baptist and Mary, Raphael’s mission in Tobit illustrates the continued involvement of heavenly beings in human affairs. This affirms the Coptic Orthodox belief in the communion of saints and the active role of angels in protecting and guiding believers. The healing provided by Raphael also connects to services like ghostwriting services, assisting them to share their stories of faith and resilience.

Spiritual Application: Never underestimate the power of prayer. Even when it seems like your prayers are going unheard, trust that God is working behind the scenes. He will answer in His own time and in His own way. Be open to receiving His healing and deliverance, even when it comes in unexpected forms.

Subtopic Sections

Let’s delve deeper into key reflections and teachings from Tobit 3:

• The Nature of Suffering: Suffering is a universal human experience. Tobit and Sarah’s stories remind us that even righteous individuals are not immune to hardship. Suffering can test our faith and lead us to question God’s goodness, but it can also draw us closer to Him.
• The Power of Prayer: Prayer is a lifeline to God, especially in times of crisis. It is an expression of our dependence on Him and our trust in His power to intervene. Sincere and humble prayer can move mountains and open doors.
• Divine Providence: God’s hand is at work even in the midst of suffering. He orchestrates events according to His perfect plan and uses even difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes. We may not always understand His ways, but we can trust in His wisdom and love.
• Spiritual Warfare: The story of Asmodeus highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. We are engaged in a battle against evil forces that seek to destroy us. But through faith in Christ and prayer, we can overcome these forces.
• The Importance of Marriage: The resolution of Sarah’s story emphasizes the sanctity and importance of marriage within God’s plan. Marriage is a sacred union designed to reflect the love between Christ and His Church.
• Hope in Deliverance: Despite their despair, both Tobit and Sarah retained a glimmer of hope. Their prayers were ultimately answered because they never completely lost faith in God’s mercy and power. This is the essence of praying for deliverance.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Tobit 3:

• Q: Why did Tobit and Sarah pray for death?

  A: Their prayers were expressions of extreme distress and despair, not a rejection of faith. They felt overwhelmed by their suffering and saw death as a release from their pain. It highlights the depth of their trials and their honest vulnerability before God.

• Q: What does the story of Asmodeus teach us about spiritual warfare?

  A: Asmodeus symbolizes the forces of evil that seek to harm and destroy us. The story reminds us that we are engaged in a spiritual battle and that we need God’s protection and intervention to overcome these forces. Prayer and faith are our weapons in this battle.

• Q: What is the significance of the angel Raphael in the story?

  A: Raphael represents God’s healing and deliverance. His name, meaning “God heals,” underscores the divine origin of the restoration that Tobit and Sarah experience. He is a reminder that God is always present to heal our wounds and deliver us from our troubles.

• Q: How can we apply the lessons of Tobit 3 to our own lives?

  A: We can learn to turn to God in prayer during times of suffering, to trust in His providence even when we don’t understand His ways, and to remember that He is always present to heal and deliver us. We should also emulate Tobit and Sarah’s humility and honesty in their prayers.

Conclusion

Tobit 3 is a powerful testament to the enduring power of prayer, the unwavering faithfulness of God, and the hope that anchors the soul even in the darkest of times. The chapter teaches us that even when we are overwhelmed by suffering and tempted to despair, we can turn to God in prayer, trusting that He will hear our cries and intervene according to His perfect will. It’s about praying for deliverance, not simply escaping, but finding solace and strength in God’s presence. Through Tobit and Sarah’s examples, we learn that God’s justice is always tempered with mercy and that He offers healing and restoration to those who seek Him with a sincere heart. May we all be inspired to cultivate a life of prayer, trusting in God’s unwavering love and providence, knowing that He is always present to guide us through the storms of life.

Tags

Praying for Deliverance, Tobit 3, Coptic Orthodox Theology, Prayer, Suffering, Angel Raphael, Asmodeus, Deuterocanonical Books, Patristic Theology, Deliverance

Meta Description

Tobit 3 Commentary: Explore Tobit and Sarah’s prayers for deliverance through a Coptic Orthodox lens. Understand suffering, divine intervention, and the power of prayer.