Coincidence

The Book of Esther is a drama of coincidences. Consider the sequence of events: the timely vacancy of queenship, the auspicious accession of a Jewess to the throne, Mordechai's discovery of the eunuchs' conspiracy, Esther's propitious reception by Ahasuerus, the king's insomnia, Haman's early arrival, his plea for mercy at Esther's bed.

But as all readers of epic tales know, there is no such thing as coincidence. As Jon D. Levinson points out: 'Coincidence is a miracle in which God prefers to remain anonymous.'

Just as Esther's Jewish identity was hidden, so too the identity of the real power behind the throne – God, the savior of Israel – is masked. In this tale, God works behind the scenes.