George
Washington Carver (1864–1943) overcame terrible racial prejudice to establish
himself as a renowned American educator. Spurning the temptation to give in to
bitterness for the way he was treated, Carver wisely wrote, “Hate within will
eventually destroy the hater.”
In the
book of Esther, we see how self-destructive hatred can be. Mordecai, a Jew,
refused to bow down before Haman—a self-important dignitary in the Persian
court. This angered Haman, who manipulated information to make Mordecai and his
people appear as threats to the empire (3:8-9). When his scheming was complete,
Haman called on the Persian king to kill all the Jews. The king proclaimed an
edict to that effect, but before it could be carried out, Esther intervened and
Haman’s devious plot was revealed (7:1-6). Enraged, the king had Haman executed
on gallows the schemer had built for Mordecai (7:7-10).
Carver’s
words and Haman’s actions remind us that hatred is self-destructive. The
biblical response is to turn hatred around and return good for evil. “Repay no
one evil for evil,” Paul said (Rom. 12:17). When offended, “do not avenge
yourselves” (v.19). Instead, do what is right (v.17) that you may live
“peaceably with all men” (v.18).
Hatred
promotes self-destruction;
love fulfills God’s instruction. (RBC)
love fulfills God’s instruction. (RBC)
