PREJUDICE DUE TO RACE (ESTHER 3:8-14)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Prejudice Due to Race.” Prejudice can be defined as a preconceived opinion or feeling about a group of people that is not based on reason or actual experience. When we talk about race, we are referring to the differences in physical traits, culture, or ethnic background that people use to label one another.

In this reflection, we learn a vital lesson: prejudice is a poison that turns power into a weapon of destruction. Instead of using our influence to build others up, prejudice causes us to dehumanise those who are different from us. We see a clear picture of this in the book of Esther, where Haman, an official in the Persian Empire, allows his personal grudge against one man to grow into a genocidal hatred against an entire ethnic group.

The Danger of Prejudiced Power

In the book of Esther, we see how dangerous it is when a person in authority holds racial prejudice. Haman felt disrespected because Mordecai would not bow to him. However, Haman did not stop at being angry with Mordecai. He turned his personal anger into a campaign against the entire Jewish race.

As recorded in Esther 3:8-9, Haman said to King Xerxes: “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them.”

Haman used his influence to label the Jews as “different” and therefore “dangerous.” This is the core of racial prejudice—making people feel like outsiders simply because they are not like us. By the time we reach Esther 3:13, the hatred had turned into an official plan: “Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day.”

This teaches us that when prejudice takes root in the heart, it does not just stay as a thought. It grows until it demands the total destruction of the other group. As Proverbs 29:2 tells us: “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” When we lead or make decisions based on our biases against someone’s race or background, we cause society to “groan” under the weight of our injustice.

The Antidote: Kingdom Leadership

If we are to overcome the spirit of prejudice, we must look to the example of Jesus. He never used His authority to exclude or destroy. Instead, He used His power to serve. In our workplaces, schools, and even in our churches, we are often tested by people who do not agree with us or who come from different backgrounds. The temptation is to exclude them or treat them unfairly, but Christ calls us to a higher standard.

Jesus said in Matthew 20:25-28: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

True leadership is not about showing people “who is in charge.” It is about showing people how much we can serve them, regardless of their skin colour, tribe, or nationality. When we genuinely serve others, we stop seeing “enemies” and start seeing people made in the image of God.

Conclusion

In summary, prejudice is a destructive force that turns leaders into oppressors. Haman’s story is a warning to all of us that if we do not check our hearts, our small biases can lead to terrible consequences for others.

Call to Action:

Today, I challenge you to examine your own heart. Is there a group of people you struggle to accept because of their race or ethnic background? Do you treat people differently based on where they come from? We must actively choose to honour all people. Let us commit to building bridges rather than walls. In our offices and communities, let us be the ones who stand up against unfair treatment and promote love, unity, and respect for every human being.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for creating every person in Your own image. Please forgive us for the times we have allowed prejudice to take root in our hearts. Help us to see others through Your eyes of love rather than through the lens of race or ethnic bias. Grant us the spirit of service, so that we may use our influence and our lives to uplift those around us, rather than tearing them down. May we be agents of peace in a divided world. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.