Page 278 - Bible History

THE ASSYRIAN INVASIONS 251
Assyria and made to settle in Media, in the eastern part of the country.
2. TOBIAS REMAINS FAITHFUL TO Gon IN THE CAPTIVITY Tobias belonged to the tribe of Nephtali. He was
one of the Samaritans who were taken captive to Media after the invasion of the Assyrians. Tobias never adored the golden calves set up in his country, and remained obedient to the law which commanded the Jews to worship in Jerusalem. Even while he was a captive in Media, he obeyed the law of Moses which forbade the use of certain meats.
The king of Assyria was very cruel to the captives in Media. Many were put to death, and their bodies were left to rot in the streets. Tobias buried the dead and gave help to their needy relatives. The king heard of this kindness and charity of Tobias. He ordered him to be put to death and his property seized. Tobias ed and hid himself until after the death of the king.
Under the new king, the Jews enjoyed more liberty. Tobias returned and his property was restored to him. He continued his works of charity. One day, after much labor, he lay on the ground to rest. While he was lying there, dirt from a swallow's nest fell into his eyes and blinded him. Poverty followed blindness, and he was supported only by the weaving of his wife.
Tobias thought that he was about to die and he called his son, the young Tobias, to him and said, "When God shall take my soul, bury my body. Honor thy mother all the days of her life. When she shall
have ended her days, bury her beside me. All the days
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