Ever feel like you're just trying to have a nice picnic by the river and BAM! A giant fish tries to steal your lunch? Well, young Tobiyyah had that exact experience. But what happened next is one of the strangest, and most wonderful, stories in the Book of Tobit.
So, there he is, Tobiyyah, son of Tobit, traveling with the angel Raphael – disguised as a human named Azaryah, of course. They're making their way to Media, and things are already a bit…unconventional. Suddenly, as the text tells us, a huge fish leaps out of the Tigris River, attempting to devour Tobiyyah’s bread!
"Lay hold of the fish, and do not let it go," the angel instructs him. Can you imagine? Most of us would probably just run away screaming. But Tobiyyah, trusting in Azaryah’s guidance, grabs the fish.
And then things get even weirder.
The angel tells him, "Open the fish in the middle, and take the heart and the gall, and put them by thee, for they are good for healing." So, Tobiyyah does exactly that. He guts the fish, saves the heart and gall, cooks the rest, and they both have dinner. Talk about turning a near-disaster into an opportunity!
But here’s the real kicker: Why these specific organs? What's so special about a fish heart and gall?
As they continue their journey to Media, Tobiyyah, understandably curious, asks Azaryah, "My brother Azaryah, what healing wilt thou perform with the heart and gall of the fish?" It’s a fair question!
And the angel reveals the secrets: “The heart is good to smoke thereof before a man in whom is an evil spirit or the spirit of demons, and it will flee from him. And the gall is good for anointing therewith the eyes in which is whiteness, and they will be healed.”
Wow.
So, the fish heart is a potent weapon against demons, and the gall can cure blindness caused by whiteness, which is likely referring to cataracts or some other eye ailment. It’s a fascinating glimpse into ancient folk medicine, where the natural world was seen as a source of both danger and powerful remedies.
This episode in the Book of Tobit isn't just a bizarre fishing tale. It's a reminder that even in the face of unexpected challenges – like a giant, bread-stealing fish – there can be hidden blessings and opportunities for healing. Sometimes, the most unlikely things can hold the key to overcoming darkness and restoring sight, both literally and figuratively. What unexpected "fish" might we need to grab in our own lives? And what unexpected healing might it bring?