In Five Festal Garments, Barry Webb points out the theological significance of the account of Esther during the Persian Empire:
God is present even when he is most absent; when there are no miracles, dreams or visions, no charismatic leaders, no prophets to interpret what’s happening, and not even any explicit God-talk. And he is present as deliverer. Those whom he saved by signs and wonders at the exodus he continues to save through his hidden, providential control of their history. His people are never simply at the mercy of blind fate or of malign powers, whether human or supernatural… He remains committed to the welfare of his people, and working out all things for their good, even when he is most hidden.
