That night the king could not sleep. (6:1a)
It is amazing that the name of God is not mentioned one single time in the book of Esther. Not one time. When this fact is compared with the other books of the Bible, which mention God on every page, it is amazing.
Since God is the ultimate author of Scripture, there is a reason that God included one incredible story in His Word that does not directly mention Him. I think that God is trying to teach us that even in the common affairs of life, He is working. He is behind the scenes. And even when His name is not mentioned or His work clearly seen, His hand is orchestrating events for His glory. How can it be any other way since in Him we live and move and have our very being?
God’s providential hand is particularly seen in chapter six. Haman has just hatched his plan to execute Mordecai (5:14) and that night the king cannot sleep. God takes away the king’s sleep so that he is compelled to get up and read something boring–the annals of the king. This simple bout of insomnia leads to the discovery of Mordecai’s spoiling of an assassination plot which, in turn, leads to Mordecai’s exaltation and Haman’s downfall.
Consider the other ways that God is at work in Esther…He works through the king’s drunken request for Vashti, Vashti’s refusal, Esther’s beauty, the king’s attraction to Esther, Mordecai’s overhearing of the assassination plot, and so on.
It is a reminder to me that God does not always work in the way that we expect. God sometimes reveals Himself through signs, wonders, and miracles. But most of the time He works behind the scenes, touching hearts, orchestrating events, and taking away a king’s sleep. Jesus compares God’s work through the Spirit as wind blowing. We do not see it or know where it comes or goes but we see its effects.
God’s wind is blowing even today and we can trust Him to work all things for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.