Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5051 responsibility  »  5054 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 6:13-14,22 See also Hebrews 11:7

Joseph over Potiphar's household

Genesis 39:4 See also Genesis 39:1-6

Joseph over the other prisoners

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

Joseph over the whole of Egypt

Genesis 41:39-41 See also Genesis 41:55-57; Genesis 45:8-9

Levites to be priests

Numbers 3:5-7 See also Numbers 8:5-26

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

Examples of delegation of responsibility

Moses chose leaders to judge

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

The apostles delegated responsibility to seven men

Acts 6:3 See also Acts 6:1-6

Responsibility delegated to elders

Acts 14:23

Examples of denial of responsibility

Adam and Eve in eating the fruit

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

Aaron after making the golden calf

See also Exodus 32:19-24

Saul after not destroying everything belonging to the Amalekites

1 Samuel 15:3,7-9,15

Pilate after ordering Jesus Christ to be crucified

Matthew 27:24

Judas after betraying Jesus Christ

See also Matthew 27:3-5

See also

4208  land, divine responsibility
5216  authority
5668  children, responsibilities to parents
5685  fathers, responsibilities
5716  middle age
5719  mothers, responsibilities
5851  excuse
6115  blame
6662  freedom, abuse
6710  privileges
8446  hospitality, duty of
8452  neighbours, duty to