What is characteristic of prejudice?
BIBLE READING: Esther 3:1-15
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Haman was furious but decided not to lay hands on Mordecai alone, but to move against all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, and destroy all of them throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. (Esther 3:5-6 , tlb)
Prejudice is marked by self-centered pride. Haman enjoyed the power and prestige of his position, and he was enraged when Mordecai did not respond with the expected reverential bow. Haman’s anger was not directed just toward Mordecai, but toward what Mordecai stood for—the Jews’ dedication to God as the only authority worthy of reverence. Haman’s attitude was prejudiced: he hated a group of people because of a difference in belief or culture. Prejudice grows out of personal pride—considering oneself better than others. In the end, Haman was punished for his arrogant attitude (7:9-10 ). God will harshly judge those who are prejudiced or whose pride causes them to look down on others.
BIBLE READING: Mark 6:1-13
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his hometown and among his relatives and by his own family.” (Mark 6:4 , tlb)
Prejudice is marked by blindness to the truth. Jesus was teaching effectively and wisely, but the people of his hometown saw him as only a common laborer. “He’s no better than we are—he’s just a carpenter,” they said. They were offended that others could be impressed by Jesus and follow him. They rejected his authority because he was one of their peers. They thought they knew him, but their preconceived notions about who he was made it impossible for them to accept his message. Don’t let prejudice blind you to truth. As you learn more about Jesus, try to see him as he really is.
BIBLE READING: Luke 10:25-37
KEY BIBLE VERSE: “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the bandits’ victim?” The man replied, “The one who showed him some pity.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” (Luke 10:36-37 , tlb)
Prejudice is marked by a lack of real love. There was deep hatred between Jews and Samaritans. The Jews saw themselves as pure descendants of Abraham, while the Samaritans were a mixed race produced when Jews from the northern kingdom intermarried with other peoples after Israel’s exile. To this law expert, the person least likely to act correctly would be the Samaritan. In fact, he could not bear to say “Samaritan” in answer to Jesus’ question. This “expert’s” attitude betrayed his lack of the very thing that he had earlier said the law commanded—love.
From
The Handbook of Bible Application
