Agency (Shaliach)

Written by Vincent Latouche

What is Agency (Shaliach)? and Why Yahusha (Jesus) is the perfect example of that principle

Don’t know if anyone else has noticed this pattern while reading the Old Testament, but it’s something that started to stand out to me more and more over time. There’s consistently someone speaking or acting on behalf of Elohim (God in English). Whether it’s an angel or a human, we see that YHWH (pronounced Yah-u-ah) sends messengers who come in His name, speak His words, and carry out His authority. This pattern is often referred to as agency or in Hebrew, shaliach meaning “one who is sent”.

At first, it might seem like a small detail. But once you begin to notice it, you realize it’s not random it’s actually woven throughout the ENTIRE narrative of Scripture and Israelite culture.

Think about figures like Moses, who stood before Pharaoh and spoke as if Elohim Himself were speaking. Or Elijah, who declared judgment, restoration and even raised others from the dead in  Elohim’s name. Even prophets like Isaiah consistently deliver messages with the phrase “Thus says the LORD or YHWH,” not as their own opinion, but as authorized representatives.

Then you have examples like Joseph, who was elevated to rule under Pharaoh, carrying authority that wasn’t originally his own but was fully delegated to him even called “like Pharaoh” by his brothers (Genesis 44:18). Or David, who ruled as the anointed king, representing God’s authority within the kingdom.

What ties all of these together is a simple but powerful idea. The one who is sent carries the authority of the one who sent them. In other words, the agent is treated as the sender in function not because they are literally the same being, but because they are acting with delegated authority.

Understanding this principle begins to unlock a deeper layer of how Scripture communicates. It helps explain why certain individuals can speak with such weight, why their words carry divine authority, and why they are sometimes treated in ways that might seem confusing at first glance.

More importantly, it strengthens the Israelite worldview behind the text where representation is not just symbolic, but uniquely authoritative.

This is where the concept becomes even more significant when looking at Yahusha. Because while many figures in Scripture reflect this pattern in part, Yahusha doesn’t just participate in it He embodies it in its fullest expression.

There so much to discuss concerning this principle but I hope this is a great introduction into how YHWH and His people maneuvered throughout the Bible.

Here is an infographic of Agency:

For more insights from Vincent Latouche, consider reading his blog at https://medium.com/@vincentlatouche