Similarly, the providential hand of an Almighty God is behind the destiny of nations. James Russell Lowell wrote,
- ''Truth forever on the scaffold,
- Wrong forever on the throne;
- But that scaffold sways the future,
- And behind the dim unknown
- Standeth God amid the shadows,
- Keeping watch upon His own.''
All things move by the knowledge of Almighty God, and according to His ordained plan and purpose. The book of Esther is a confirmation of Psalm 11:4, ''The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the children of men.'' Woven into God's plans are the most minute details of human history. This is illustrated in the turns of events of the story of Esther. The rejection of a Gentile queen, the choice of Esther, and the finding of the records led finally to the exaltation of Mordecai and the sparing of the Jewish race.
Providence is not blind fate. The word ''providence'' means, ''foresight coupled with activity.'' God alone is able to act on the basis of foreknowledge. The book of Esther sets forth two great doctrines: man's free will, and God's absolute sovereignty. Both are at work here. Haman made his plans and Mordecai was busy with his political maneuvering, yet all was done within the boundaries of God's direction.
We often see the adversity of the good alongside the prosperity of the wicked. We would tend to ask why, but the book of Esther shows us clearly that the trial of faith results in final victory for the righteous.