When reading the book of Esther we see God everywhere. As the last words are read and we shut our Bibles most would agree it is one of the most “God-is-very-involved-in-our-lives” portions in all of Scripture. Which makes the fact that God is never mentioned quite befuddling. With the exception of the Song of Solomon (depending on interpretation), the book of Esther is alone in its exclusion of God.

Why would the Lord Himself never be spoken of within His word? John McArthur provides a good answer to that question: “It seems satisfying to respond that if God desired to be mentioned, He could just as sovereignly have moved the author to write of Him as He acted to save Israel. This situation seems to be more of a problem at the human level than the divine, because Esther is the classic illustration of God’s providence as He, the unseen power, controls everything for His purpose. There are no miracles in Esther, but the preservation of Israel through providential control of every event and person reveals the omniscience and omnipotence of Jehovah. Whether He is named is not the issue. He is clearly the main character in the drama.” (McArthur Study Bible)

God is indeed the main character in the drama. And as this very true story of Esther begins we see a great stage being set. The players are taking their places. They do not realize what profound and eternal roles they will play. Perhaps they felt little, weak, insignificant and of no worth. But where God works little becomes big, weakness becomes strength, insignificant becomes world-changing and worthless becomes riches beyond measure.

Are the words of the previous paragraph unique to Esther and those in her story, in her life, in her time? No, they are not. They are mine and they are yours as well. “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther was asked. It was her time just as now is our time. How did Esther respond? How shall we?

More on this next time.