While God is not mentioned in Esther, his providence runs through the entire story, as he brings about unexpected reversals in the course of events, working behind the scenes, acting in a way that is invisible to man. That is why the Jews, in their great need, expect help from the LORD and fast for three days. For Jews, this fasting always also involves prayer and shows humility before God, in the conviction that God reigns. Anyone who has an eye for it sees that the regularly recurring coincidences
in Esther's story are not based on chance, but result from God's guidance.
Esther shows God's sovereign intervention in the fate of his people, both individually and collectively. He continues now to direct history toward his goal(s), holding all of the world's events in his hand. Man still has his own responsibility in this (prayer, fasting, searching for a suitable opportunity, sometimes risking his own life), which is not removed by God's actions. The book shows that the Lord uses human initiative, working through people and human events, while not being dependent on them. If Esther did not act, help could also come from another angle (Esther 4:14a), but people must realize when they are given the opportunity to act and do something precisely in view of the events (Esther 4:14b).
Sometimes God's people find themselves living in freedom and prosperity; at other times they may experience times of domination by others, —but the Lord reigns, continuing his work and his history of salvation. He desires to bring about a decisive turnaround in the life of every person, which begins with the encounter with God himself.
Even though God's name is not mentioned in the book, his providence runs like a scarlet thread through the entire history. At decisive moments, God intervenes and brings about an unexpected reversal in the course of events. He works behind the scenes and acts in a way that is invisible to man. That is why the Jews in their great need also expect help from the LORD and fast for three days. For Jews, this is always accompanied by prayer and is a sign of humility before God. People are convinced that he reigns. Anyone who has an eye for it sees that the regularly recurring coincidences
in the plot of Esther's story are not based on chance, but results from God's guidance.
Esther's history shows us God's sovereign intervention in the fate of his people, both individually and collectively. As in Esther's time, he directs history toward a certain goal and has all of the world's events in his hand. Man does indeed have his own responsibility in this (prayer, fasting, searching for a suitable opportunity, sometimes risking his own life), and this is not removed by God's actions. The book shows that the Lord uses human initiative. He works through people and human events, although he is not dependent on them. If Esther did not act, help could also come from another angle (Esther 4:14a), but people must realize whether they sometimes have the opportunity to act and do something precisely in view of certain events (Esther 4:14b).
Sometimes God's people find themselves in a period of freedom and prosperity, while at other times they may experience a difficult time of domination by others, but the Lord reigns. He continues with his work and his history of salvation. He desires to bring about a decisive turnaround in the life of every person, which begins with encountering God himself.1
1 C'était du temps d'Assuérus, de cet Assuérus qui régnait depuis l'Inde jusqu'en Ethiopie sur cent vingt-sept provinces;