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Esther 8 · Grade 5

A Counter-Decree

Name Date

Read and Think

On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, to Queen Esther. Mordecai came before the king, because Esther had told what he was to her. The king gave Mordecai the ring he had taken from Haman, and Esther set Mordecai over Haman's house. The orphan and her guardian now held the place of their enemy.

Yet the decree of destruction still stood. Esther spoke again, falling at the king's feet and begging him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman and his plan against the Jews. The king held out the golden scepter. Esther asked how she could endure to see the evil that would come to her people. The king answered that a writing sealed with the king's ring may not be reversed. Esther and Mordecai could write a new decree in the king's name.

The new letters granted the Jews in every city the right to gather and stand for their lives against anyone who would assault them. Couriers on swift horses hurried to all 127 provinces. Mordecai went out in royal apparel of blue and white and a great crown of gold, and Susa shouted and was glad. The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen on them. Christians see here a picture of God's power to turn mourning into gladness, as in Psalm 30:11.

Show What You Know

  1. How did Mordecai come before the king?

  2. What did Esther ask the king to put away?

  3. Why could the first decree not be reversed?

  4. What right did the new letters grant?

  5. What did many from the peoples of the land do?

Crossword

52134

Across

  1. The king took off his ____
  2. The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and ____

Down

  1. Mordecai wore a great one of gold.
  2. The Jews had ____, gladness, joy, and honor
  3. begged him with ____

Think About It

  1. The king's law could not be undone, so a new decree was needed. In the New Testament, Paul writes that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). How does God's rescue give you hope?

  2. Esther kept pleading even after her own safety was secure. How can you keep caring for others when your own needs are met?

Memory Verse

“The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.”

Esther 8:16 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for turning sadness into joy. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What does Romans 8:1 teach about God's rescue?
  • How can you keep caring for others?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.