In the book of Esther the name of God in any form is not mentioned. This fact has led many to come to the hasty conclusion that the book is not inspired and should not form a part of the Word of God. Such reasoning only betrays a sad lack of understanding of the teaching of this book and of God’s ways with His ancient people. The absence of any mention of God is beautifully in line with God’s ways with His earthly people under those particular circumstances, and is but another mark of divine design in the Holy Scriptures.
First we must see the position of the book in regard to time. It evidently comes in between the sixth and seventh chapters of the book of Ezra. It is almost 100 years after Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Jews taken captive. That places it some years after a remnant returned to Jerusalem under the favor and blessing of Cyrus, king of Persia. Both Ezra and Nehemiah tell us of the Jews that returned to their own land, although still under the dominion of Gentile powers. Esther on the other hand shows us those who did not return and remained scattered throughout the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire; these had not the zeal and interest to return to their own land. The sentence of “Lo-ammi” (meaning “not My people” —see Hos. 1:99Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. (Hosea 1:9)) was (and is) still resting on them; and while God had disowned them He nevertheless was moving behind the scenes all through the book of Esther. Though unseen and unrecognized, He was still providentially caring for them. Thus the reason for the omission of any mention of God is obvious; the Jews were disowned by Him, and they did not seek His face; but they were watched over and when it was His time He did intervene, but not openly.