THE UNSEEN HAND OF GOD
When we flip through the book of Esther, we realise that there isn't even a single mention of God in the book. Yet it is in this book that we see the mighty hand of God amidst the labyrinth of events. It was the providence of God on the Jewish race that saved them from genocide - the plan of an enemy of the Jews to mass slaughter the community.
In the Persian culture once an edict sealed with the king's signet ring was passed, there was no way to revoke that. Haman, the second in command to King Xerxes had made such an edict in the name of the King and it was decreed in all the provinces of the kingdom. The Jewish race was about to be annihilated by their amalekite enemy, Haman. There was no way out of this trap.
And to top that, from the first chapter of the book and throughout the unlikely events that follow, it seems as if there is no interception by God or mention of him.
It is true that the Jews were temporarily placed in the hands of Haman the agagite.
It's possible to question God's care and providence amidst this circumstance. It is also possible to question the trust of the Jewish exiles on God.
But God had a perfect plan in everything to get them out of his hands too. In the right time Esther is brought into power and made the Queen to Xerxes. It was God's perfect framework.
Esther 4: 14 :- " And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this."
This was Mordecai's question to Esther. In the events that follow we see the entire community fasting together and Esther risking her life before the king to save her people.
The influence that Esther makes on the king and God's unseen hand to all these events are mesmerizing. Indeed the book of Esther does not directly mention God, but his providence is clearly at work. So is the trust and faith that Mordecai had on God. He is sure about the fact that restoration for Israel would arise from someplace. A true jew who had not forgotten the paths that his ancestors had been through.
There would be times in our lives when it's hard to see God's providence. But be sure to know that he is always at work. Maybe that is in a way which is unlikely, but remember to trust in him.
When we flip through the book of Esther, we realise that there isn't even a single mention of God in the book. Yet it is in this book that we see the mighty hand of God amidst the labyrinth of events. It was the providence of God on the Jewish race that saved them from genocide - the plan of an enemy of the Jews to mass slaughter the community.
In the Persian culture once an edict sealed with the king's signet ring was passed, there was no way to revoke that. Haman, the second in command to King Xerxes had made such an edict in the name of the King and it was decreed in all the provinces of the kingdom. The Jewish race was about to be annihilated by their amalekite enemy, Haman. There was no way out of this trap.
And to top that, from the first chapter of the book and throughout the unlikely events that follow, it seems as if there is no interception by God or mention of him.
It is true that the Jews were temporarily placed in the hands of Haman the agagite.
It's possible to question God's care and providence amidst this circumstance. It is also possible to question the trust of the Jewish exiles on God.
But God had a perfect plan in everything to get them out of his hands too. In the right time Esther is brought into power and made the Queen to Xerxes. It was God's perfect framework.
Esther 4: 14 :- " And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this."
This was Mordecai's question to Esther. In the events that follow we see the entire community fasting together and Esther risking her life before the king to save her people.
The influence that Esther makes on the king and God's unseen hand to all these events are mesmerizing. Indeed the book of Esther does not directly mention God, but his providence is clearly at work. So is the trust and faith that Mordecai had on God. He is sure about the fact that restoration for Israel would arise from someplace. A true jew who had not forgotten the paths that his ancestors had been through.
There would be times in our lives when it's hard to see God's providence. But be sure to know that he is always at work. Maybe that is in a way which is unlikely, but remember to trust in him.
Ansu Susan Oommen
Ansu is a student of Delhi University and a youth leader in Crossway. She can be reached at ansususan9828@gmail.com 
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