Musing – Who Is the “Son of man”?

Hebraic Musing – Who Is the “Son of man”?

We find the reference to Yeshua as the “Son of man” throughout the Bible; 82 times in the gospels alone!  But why is that expression used?  What does it mean?  I’ve often wondered for years about that choice of words. We find the answer hidden in the middle of the book of Daniel. 

In a vision, Daniel saw someone like a “son of man.”  In other words, what he saw could best be defined as a person, the “son of a man”.  The book of Daniel was fresh in the minds of the Jewish people and Gospel writers of the first century.  The people remembered well the 70 years in Babylon and the return to The Land where the Temple and city walls were rebuilt despite those who opposed it.  The workers had a weapon in one hand and a tool in the other.  Daniel never returned, but his writings did. 

So what passage did they hear and remember?   "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”    Dan 7:13-14   NIV

When these people heard Yeshua identify Himself as the “Son of man”, they immediately associated Him with "the Ancient of Days", Yehovah, and given a Kingdom destined to “not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”  I don't think we can even imagine the degree of power Yeshua had, has and will have.  Yet they saw Yeshua full of love and compassion as He walked through the land healing the sick and feeding thousands.  

One day we will see Him and serve Him.  After all, “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed”

While ordinary men are referred to as “son of man”, the references to Jesus are all “Son of man”.

 Points to ponder

The apostles and disciples recognized Yeshua as the “Son of man”, do we?

Can we fully appreciate the authority, power, glory and dominion
Yeshua had, has and will have over an everlasting kingdom?

Is it difficult to see our Lord God as having been a man before the birth of Jesus?

“Who is like you —  majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exod. 15:11 

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                               September 26, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note:  Inspired by Johanna Shager Hocker’s e-mail “Son of Man” – Aug. 20, 2017