Responsibility, examples of

Scripture provides examples of individuals and situations in which responsibility is accepted, delegated or denied.

Examples of responsibility accepted

Noah to build the ark

Genesis 6:13–14, Genesis 6:22 See also Hebrews 11:7

Then God said to Noah, “The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is full of violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out.

So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.

Joseph over Potiphar's household

Genesis 39:4 See also Genesis 39:1–6

Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.

Joseph over the other prisoners

Genesis 39:22 See also Genesis 39:20–23

And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison.

Joseph over the whole of Egypt

Genesis 41:39–41 See also Genesis 41:55–57, Genesis 45:8–9

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.”

Levites to be priests

Numbers 3:5–7 See also Numbers 8:5–26

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle.

Solomon, not David, to build the temple

1 Chronicles 22:2–10

Ezekiel to be a watchman

Ezekiel 3:16–21

Jesus Christ in dying on the cross

Philippians 2:8 See also Matthew 26:39; John 10:18; Romans 5:19

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.

Examples of delegation of responsibility

Moses chose leaders to judge

Exodus 18:24–26 See also Exodus 18:13–23

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

The apostles delegated responsibility to seven men

Acts 6:3 See also Acts 6:1–6

Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them

Responsibility delegated to elders

Acts 14:23

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

Examples of denial of responsibility

Adam and Eve in eating the fruit

Genesis 3:11–13 God held them both responsible.

“Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”

Aaron after making the golden calf

See also Exodus 32:19–24

Saul after not destroying everything belonging to the Amalekites

1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 15:7–9, 1 Samuel 15:15

Pilate after ordering Jesus Christ to be crucified

Matthew 27:24

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

Judas after betraying Jesus Christ

See also Matthew 27:3–5