No Miracles, No Name, No Accident: Why the Story of Esther Still Matters

As many of my friends and colleagues know, I have been pursuing a seminary degree with a focus on apologetics and Christian ethics. As part of that study, I have spent considerable time engaging the Old Testament, referred to by my Jewish colleagues as the Tanakh, comprising the Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Over the past several months, I have revisited the foundational narratives of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon, as well as the teachings of both the major and minor prophets, including Amos, Jonah, Nahum, and Malachi. Among these texts, however, the short book of Esther has proven especially influential for me.

Esther is unique within the Hebrew Scriptures. Unlike other books of the Old Testament, it contains no explicit reference to God, no recorded miracles, and no overt divine intervention. Yet it presents a powerful theological message nonetheless: the preservation of God’s covenant people, even when God’s presence appears hidden. The narrative illustrates providence rather than spectacle, God at work through ordinary human decisions and historical events.

The story centers on Esther, a young Jewish woman who was orphaned at an early age and raised by her older cousin, Mordecai, who cared for her as his own daughter. They lived in Susa, the capital of the Persian Empire (in modern-day Iran). Unlike many Jews who returned to Jerusalem following King Cyrus’s decree, Esther and Mordecai remained in Persia, where Mordecai appears to have held a position connected to the royal court.

The narrative advances when King Xerxes seeks a new queen after deposing Queen Vashti for refusing to obey his command. What follows resembles a royal selection process akin to a beauty contest, through which Esther is chosen as queen. She finds favor with the king, largely because of her beauty and demeanor. At Mordecai’s instruction, however, Esther conceals her Jewish identity, recognizing the vulnerability of Jews as a minority within the empire.

As the story unfolds, a royal official named Haman emerges as the primary antagonist. Haman harbors deep animosity toward Mordecai, likely intensified by Mordecai’s refusal to bow to the King. The text identifies Haman as an Agagite, traditionally associated with the Amalekites, longstanding enemies of Israel. More broadly, Haman represents an aggressive political loyalty that demands absolute submission to the throne, a loyalty incompatible with Jewish worship of God alone.

Enraged by Mordecai’s defiance, Haman persuades King Xerxes to issue a decree calling for the destruction of all Jews within the empire. When Mordecai learns of the decree, he urges Esther to intercede on behalf of her people, reminding her that her position may have been granted for something just like this.

After initial hesitation, since approaching the king uninvited could result in death, Esther courageously and politely petitions King Xerxes. Through a carefully orchestrated appeal, she exposes Haman’s plot. The king responds decisively—Haman is executed, the decree is reversed, and Mordecai is elevated to a position of authority and honor.

The book of Esther ultimately affirms a profound truth—even when God is not named, His sovereignty is not absent. Through courage, faithfulness, and moral resolve, God’s people are preserved, and justice prevails. Esther’s story is a reminder that divine providence often operates quietly, working through human responsibility rather than dramatic intervention.

I find it deeply reassuring to know that God often works through ordinary people, like an orphan girl in Esther’s story. Her life reminds us that even when circumstances seem difficult or unfair, God is still at work behind the scenes. Perhaps you have felt the same way, facing challenges, feeling overlooked, or wondering about your purpose. Esther likely wrestled with similar thoughts, yet when the moment came, she rose to the occasion with courage and faith. For me, this narrative is a promise to us. We all have something valuable to offer, but we must be prepared and brave when the time comes. God’s greatest blessings rarely arrive in neat, beautiful packages; they often come through trials that call us to step into our purpose.