One of the fascinating features of the book of Esther is not what it says, but rather what it doesn't say - at least not explicitly. There are no explicit references to God anywhere in the book. God is at work everywhere in the story, but he is not on center stage. He stands behind every scene, silently working to carry out his purposes for Esther and Mordecai and all the people of Israel.
God had disciplined his people by sending them into exile for a time of testing, purging, and introspection. He would also preserve them in exile against all threats of extermination. Esther is a story of preservation. Evil Haman is intent on eliminating God's people and elevating himself. But God turns the tables by elevating a Jewish girl to Queen of Persia and bringing Haman to humiliation and death.
