Afterward, Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock and gave them a cordial reception. When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobiah said to Raphael, "Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to let me marry my kinswoman Sarah." Raguel overheard the words; so he said to the boy: "Eat and drink and be merry tonight, for no man is more entitled to marry my daughter Sarah than you, brother. Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you, because you are my closest relative. But I will explain the situation to you very frankly. I have given her in marriage to seven men, all of whom were kinsmen of ours, and all died on the very night they approached her. But now, son, eat and drink. I am sure the Lord will look after you both." Tobiah answered, "I will eat or drink nothing until you set aside what belongs to me." Raguel said to him: "I will do it. She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses. Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven! Take your kinswoman; from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved. She is yours today and ever after. And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both. May he grant you mercy and peace." (Tobit 7:9-11)

Raguel's comment reminds us of two similar passages in scripture. In Isaiah 22: 13 the proud and sinful say to themselves, "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die."

In Ecclesiastes 8:15 the preacher offers, "So I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat, and drink, and enjoy themselves, for this will go with them in their toil through the days of life that God gives them under the sun."

Religious people can be troubled by pleasure, especially sensual pleasure. Fine food, intoxicating drink, ecstastic sexuality have seemed to some - well before the Puritans - a self-centered extravagance that separates from God.

Isaiah condemns the fatalism of those he quotes. The preacher suggests that we enjoy what we have with thankfulness.

It is often not what we do, but how and why we do it that determines whether the act is sinful or sacred. Are we motivated by love, are we thankful, are we kind? God is gracious and generous. There is much to celebrate. But celebration is often less a matter of what we do than the attitude and intention we bring to the doing.

Above is Tobias, Raguel, and Sarah by an unknown artist.