Law of Agency

The law of agency is a legal doctrine concerning the relationship between two parties: the principal and the agent. The principal authorizes the agent to act on their behalf, to perform tasks, or make decisions, creating a legal or ethical relationship between the two. The agent's actions under this authority are considered as if they were carried out by the principal directly.

In the context of the Bible, the law of agency can be applied metaphorically to understand certain theological concepts and narratives both in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament. Such that, "the one sent is like the on who sent him." The result is that the agent can not only carry out divine functions but also be depicted in divine language, sit on God's throne or alongside God, and even bear the Divine name.

Old Testament Application

In the Old Testament, prophets often serve as agents of God. They are chosen to convey God's messages to the people, act on His behalf, and execute His will on Earth. For instance, Moses acted as God's agent to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and deliver the Ten Commandments. In this way, the actions and words of the prophets can be seen as directly representing the will of God, embodying the principle of agency by acting under divine authority.

Exodus 4:16

14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well; and behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you he will be glad in his heart. 15 And you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people; and he shall be a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. 17 And you shall take in your hand this rod, with which you shall do the signs.”