 Delegation
One of the important elements which is at play in our journey toward maturity is our understanding of the relationship between authority and responsibility. This is most evident in the relationship between parents and their children. When children are young the parents have virtually unlimited authority, but they also have responsibility for the wellbeing, safety, and actions of the children. For example, if a small child breaks a piece of art in another person's home or business the responsibility to make restitution in that situation belongs not to the child but to the parent who bears responsibility for that child. This is the same principle that supports our concept of delegation. If a king or president or boss gives a subordinate subject, citizen, or employee instruction to do something or conduct some business the authority of the subordinate is coming from the leader and the responsibility for the followers actions is on the leader. In today’s post, I would like to consider how this same principle was applied in other contexts in the Bible and how it is applied in a broader context to our relationship with the Lord. Consequences In 2 Samuel 13, we find one of the more gritty and dark episodes in the Bible. King David’s son Amnon is overcome with lust for his half-sister Tamar and he violates her. Her full brother Absalom is then set on avenging the wrong done to his sister. Absalom devised a cunning plan to murder his brother Amnon. But the actual bloodshed was not at Absalom’s hand but rather the deed was carried out by his servants. So should Absalom or the servants be held responsible for this wicked deed? Also, why did the servants do something that was so obviously wrong? I believe the answer is found in the principle of delegation that I mentioned earlier. In verse 28 of the chapter Absalom tells his servants, “Mark when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” Notice that the servants are acting on the authority of their master and the responsibility of this action is primarily on Absalom because with his command he took the responsibility as well. Encouragement The wording that Absalom used probably sounds familiar to you. This same language is used in other places in the Old Testament. The most famous is probably when the Lord was commanding Joshua to lead His people into the promised land (Joshua 1:1-9). In this passage God is calling Joshua to be strong and courageous, as well as to devote himself to be obedient to God’s word. In verse 9, God issues the same words of delegation to Joshua. Joshua should have confidence in the accomplishment of everything that God is sending Him to do because the authority is the Lord’s and the responsibility is the Lord’s. When we walk in honest obedience to the sure word of God (2 Peter 1:16-21), we ought to have the confidence of servants bearing the authority of Christ who bears the responsibility for His commands. Promises A part of what God was doing when speaking this way to Joshua was to imply the promise of His presence and ultimate success. Much later, when Jesus was about to go to the cross and He knew His disciples would be confused and scattered, He comforted them with a promise that He was going to prepare a place for them (John 14:1-6). Jesus promised them that He would come again to receive them to Himself and take them to be with Him. Jesus told the disciples that in the house of God are many dwelling places and sealed this promise with the words, “If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.” These great and precious promises that Jesus was giving to His disciples carried His omnipotent authority, and He bore all the responsibility for the reliability of these words.
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