God possesses absolute power and providence over the world, standing as the sole ruler over the seasons of peace and turmoil in human life. His sovereignty is complete, and His actions cannot be challenged or altered by any outside force.
When God chooses to grant rest, calm wars, or rescue the weak from their oppressors [רש״י, רמב״ן, שטיינזלץ, תקות אנוש], His decree is final. Commentators offer varying perspectives on what it means for this peace to remain unchallenged. One approach explains that when God grants tranquility, absolutely no one has the power to cause harm or act wickedly toward those He protects [רש״י, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, others view this unchallenged state in terms of absolute calm. According to this view, when God decrees that a person or a nation should sit in safety, no one can stir up riots, wars, or anxiety to disrupt that peace [אבן עזרא, רמב״ן, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון].
The reality shifts dramatically when God chooses to conceal His presence. In these moments, He removes His providence, withholds His kindness, or even allows wicked people to rule as a means of punishing sinners [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, תקות אנוש]. The primary approach among commentators is that during such times, divine providence vanishes from plain sight; humanity can no longer see or understand God's ways [רש״י, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ], and no one possesses the ability to stop Him from doing as He pleases [תקות אנוש]. Other interpretations suggest that this lack of visibility refers to a lack of help for others. Without divine providence, there is no one to look upon a person in distress to provide for their needs [מצודת דוד] or to rescue them from God's hand [רמב״ן].
Whether God is bringing calm or hiding His presence, He applies these actions equally across all levels of existence. There is broad agreement that God's leadership remains identical whether He is dealing with an entire nation, the whole of humanity, or a single individual. He watches over and acts with the exact same absolute ability over the collective as He does over the private person. Adding another layer to this concept, a unique perspective notes that just as no human power can alter God's decisions, neither can spiritual forces or accusers in the heavenly court prevent Him from bringing peace or concealing His presence. Furthermore, a spiritual accusation against a single individual does not stop an accusation from being brought against an entire nation at the very same time [אלשיך].