Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, Sarah, originally named Sarai, is a prominent figure whose life and actions are recorded in the Book of Genesis. She is the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. Sarah's account provides a profound example of human frailty and the tendency to shift responsibility, a theme that emerges in her interactions with Hagar, her maidservant.The account of Sarah's attempt to shift responsibility is found in Genesis 16. At this point in the narrative, Sarah is barren and has not borne any children to Abraham. In her desperation to fulfill God's promise to Abraham of numerous descendants, Sarah proposes a culturally acceptable but faith-compromising solution: she offers her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to Abraham as a surrogate. Genesis 16:2 records Sarah's words: "So Sarai said to Abram, 'Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.' And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai." This decision leads to immediate and significant consequences. Hagar conceives, and tension arises between her and Sarah. Genesis 16:4 states, "And when she saw that she had conceived, she began to despise her mistress." In response to this newfound contempt, Sarah shifts the blame onto Abraham, despite the plan being her own suggestion. She says to Abraham in Genesis 16:5 , "May the wrong done to me be upon you. I put my maidservant into your arms, and now that she sees she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me." Sarah's reaction is a classic example of shifting responsibility. Instead of acknowledging her role in the situation, she places the burden of the resulting discord on Abraham. This act of deflection highlights a common human tendency to avoid personal accountability, even when one's own decisions contribute to the problem. Abraham's response to Sarah's complaint is to return the authority over Hagar back to Sarah, as seen in Genesis 16:6 : "Here, your maidservant is in your hands. Do whatever you want with her." This response allows Sarah to act according to her own judgment, which results in her mistreating Hagar, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness. The narrative of Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of attempting to shift responsibility. It underscores the importance of faith and trust in God's timing and plan, rather than resorting to human schemes that lead to strife and suffering. Sarah's account is a reminder of the need for personal accountability and the dangers of deflecting blame onto others. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 16:5And Sarai said to Abram, My wrong be on you: I have given my maid into your bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and you. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 16:2 Resources What does the Bible say about personal responsibility? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about a Christian's responsibility? | GotQuestions.org Does a son bear any responsibility for the sins of the father? | GotQuestions.org Responsibility: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Responsibility: According to Privilege Responsibility: Assumed by the Jewish Leaders for the Death of Jesus Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Aaron Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Adam Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Esau Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Eve Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Pontius Pilate Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Sarah Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Saul Related Terms |
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