Esther | Chapter Summaries + Study QuestionsНамуна

ESTHER 8

ESTHER DEVISES A PLAN TO SAVE THE ISRAELITE PEOPLE

After his execution, Haman’s house and royal signet is given to Mordecai and Esther.

Esther pleaded with King Xerxes to find a way to save the Israelite people. Despite Haman’s death, his decree is still valid and could not be revoked. Instead, Esther proposes that a second decree be made that allows the Israelites to defend themselves against their enemies. Esther’s new decree reduces the threat of the first decree and grants the Israelites the right to protect themselves from harm and fight back against their opposition.

With the new decree, Mordecai is elevated to a royal position of power and clothed in fine linen robes. When the Israelites hear the good news, they celebrate and rejoice with gladness!

STUDY QUESTIONS

Read Esther 8:6–12. What solution did Esther and Mordecai come up with to protect the Jewish people?

How did the Jewish people respond to the decree? What does Esther 8:17 reveal about how some of the non-Jewish people reacted?