CHAPTER 5 The Framework of the Body-the Skeleton
(Continued from page 346.)
Our studies thus far have led us on from the single cell with which we may say bodily existence begins, on through its various differentiations into the tissues which form the material for the entire body. Of the four general classes of tissue-Connective, Muscular, Nerve, and Epithelial – we took, in the previous chapter, a brief glance at the eight varieties of connective tissue, until we reached the last, the osseous, at whose structure we looked a little more fully. Our present chapter is to carry us further, into an examination of the whole framework of bone, with its various groups, composed of separate parts, all varying in size, form and function, but all marvelously adapted to the uses for which they were designed.
While this may be said to belong to the department of Anatomy, rather than that of Physiology, the two are essential to each other for a correct understanding of either. Each presupposes the other. We may say that physiology deals more with chemistry and biology, and anatomy with physics and mechanics; and these last must precede our taking up the more advanced truths which follow.
Man is a microcosm; the materials forming his body are practically those composing the entire universe. And the sciences which unfold the wonders of Nature will be found to have a place in connection with him who, while set over the works of God's hands, is also a part of that creation. How blessed it is to know that the Son has also entered His creation, has partaken of flesh and blood,
and thus is the true Head of all that He has made. He is not ashamed to call His people His brethren-a relationship based indeed on a more marvelous work than creation, even on redemption, by which He has laid the foundations of the new creation, in which He will be Head and Lord for all eternity. It was in His death that the "bone," the moral foundation for His Bride the Church, was taken. So that it can be said, "We are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones'" (Eph. 5:30). But this must suffice to encourage us in our study of the skeleton.
There is something repulsive to the morbid, natural mind, in a skeleton. The reason is not far to seek; it is a reminder of death, and this in turn speaks of sin and is a forerunner of judgment. No wonder that men shrink from the thought of these awful facts until grace has reached their hearts with its revelation of divine righteousness and love securing our eternal redemption. Grace has taught us the answer to the question asked of Ezekiel (chap. 37:2, 3) as he gazed upon the valley of dry bones, "very many and very dry"-"Can these bones live?" We can answer with exultation, "You hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). Instead of shuddering, we can now look at the reminder of death in the calmness of assurance that "if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor. 5:1). And we know too that in the divine way in which all things are possible, He "shall change our body of humiliation and make it like unto the body of His glory" (Phil. 3:21). We will look then at the skeleton, not as a witness of death, but as a reminder of that which shall abide, "when all that seems shall suffer shock."
A correct knowledge of the skeleton is necessary in all that concerns even the superficial aspect of the body. Sir Edwin Landseer, the great painter of animal life, used to study the anatomy of his subject. He could thus, from his knowledge of the relations of the various parts of the body to each other, depict with precision their outward expression-the uplifted head, the widely-planted feet, with their effect upon the entire pose. All was realistic, life-like. So every artist who desires to give even a semblance of naturalness, must know the anatomy of his subject.
The skeleton of the adult contains a total of 206 bones, of various forms and sizes. We may speak of them in this general way simply to classify their forms. These may be given as long, short, flat, and irregular. The long bones include chiefly those of the extremities, the arms and legs. The short bones are chiefly those of the wrists, feet and knees. The flat bones largely make up the skull, and include also the shoulder-blades, the breastbone and the hip bones. The ribs are also included in this class. The remainder of the bones are classed as irregular, and include such important parts as the vertebrae, and a number of very essential bones in the head. Thus at a glance we see what a variety of bones is needed in the composition of our bodily framework.
Seeking for a few lessons to be gathered even from this arbitrary classification, we are reminded that in our individual make-up there are very many elements, of quite different character. Thus those features which mark the "walk" and the service for others are quite different from others connected with "the hidden man of the heart." The "thoughts and intents" are again different from the firm stability which is the foundation of all testimony. Indeed to speak of our subject in this personal way would require us to take up each several bone, and seek to find its special characteristic and function, and the spiritual truth to which it corresponds. This is a most engaging subject, but far beyond the bounds of our present purpose. We will indeed see a good deal of this in our next classification, but this must suffice here. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made." It may well fill us with awe and worship to think of the endless variety of elements that make up our individual personality. We can think, learn, resolve, love, act-all in the greatest variety of ways and combinations. Of this we are reminded by the variety of the bones in our body.
Looking at the body as a figure of the Church, we learn similar lessons from this variety. We have "many members," but each member is distinctive. Some are large and prominent; others so small as to be unknown. We may think of Paul having his place in the unfolding of the great truths of the gospel, suggested by the skull; John may suggest, in his unfolding of the affections of our Lord, the breastbone; Peter, the pilgrim walk, the thigh or foot bones; James, the arms or hand for work. We see the unbroken steadfastness of Stephen in a vertebra, the affectionate care and protection of Barnabas in a rib, close to the heart of his Master.
And so throughout the history of the Church there have been men who, permeated by the truth which they have assimilated, have been part of the stable structure of the Body of Christ. Luther re-echoed the great truths of justification by faith, and was Pauline in his holding the Head. John Knox, standing like adamant in the face of all opposition, was one of the vertebrae forming the Church as "the pillar and ground of the truth." Wesley, a latter-day James, emphasizing the walk of the Church in a dissolute age; Whitefield, bringing the message of love in his burning words; Suso, Tersteegen, Bernard, who felt the pulsations of the heart of Christ-all had their place as elements of strength, giving the Church its character and form in their day. And such is the case today. There are still those who stand for Christ and His truth, not confined, thank God, to any one sect-alas, that there should be such-but belonging to the whole Church, and maintaining it in a day of apostasy. Blessed be God for all of whom it can be said-"Thou hast kept My word and hast not denied My name" (Rev. 3:8).
Nor can we forget that every one of these bones, the small as well as the large, crooked as well as straight, has its own place in the framework which no one else can fill. Of what value would the large and symmetrical femur, or thigh bone, be in the place of the delicate and intricate incas of the ear, the trapezoid of the wrist, the cuboid of the foot? If one of these smaller bones is put out of place or crushed, the whole part of the body with which it is connected is incapacitated for service. A sprained wrist, caused by the dislocation of the semi-lunar, or some other small bone-often more than one- renders the whole hand and arm practically useless. "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint" (Prov. 25:19). Dislocation of the astragalus, or one of the smaller cuneiform bones of the foot, has made the entire member useless; the whole walk and stability of the Church is affected. Alas, as we think of things to-day, how many fractures, how many dislocations, have marred not only the testimony, but the efficiency of the Church of God.
On the other hand, how often has the presence of the little patella, or knee-cap, preserved the knee-joint, between the femur and tibia, from being permanently injured, by receiving the blow which might have fallen upon the more vulnerable, if more conspicuous, part. In the body no bone is so small as to be without value, and none other can take its place. So it is in the Church of God; therefore let us cease to deplore our littleness or obscurity, and seek to be in our God-given place.
There is always a reason for the special shape and peculiarity of each bone. The scapula, or shoulder-blade, is flat, and thus furnishes a broad surface upon which the trapezius and other muscles are fixed. The parietal and other flat bones of the skull could only serve as the protecting case for the brain by being of their special flatness and shape. The greatest strength consistent with its weight is given to the femur, the humerus and other long bones, by their hollow, tubular structure. So grace has wrought in each case, fitting for the service appointed. In what has been said no effort has been made to give the spiritual significance of the permanent place of each bone in the body. Viewed in the simplest way these would be the apostles and prophets and other members of the Church at the beginning. These would constitute the foundation or framework of the Church for all time. Similarly we may think of Paul and the other apostles filling their official place in the Body, and yet having their individual character. In this latter way they are like all other members of the Body, filling their appointed niche; while in the former they have a wider and abiding place. Thus Paul, as the typical sinner saved by grace, has filled his place in the Body, and gone home to the Lord. As apostle he still remains in the Church, in the truth which he made known. We can easily see how both aspects are true.
Thus far we have been speaking, in a somewhat desultory way, of the bones individually; we will now look at them in the various departments or groups in which we find them arranged. While each bone has its relation to the whole body, it is specially connected with others to form a limb or member. This special connection does not alter the general relation. It is so spiritually, each believer has this twofold link. He is a member of the whole Body of Christ, in vital relation with each believer throughout the world and through all time. But he has a special link, according to the gifts given, with others of similar gift. Thus teachers are interdependent; one does not possess all the truth; so it is with evangelists and pastors. Their individuality makes them dependent upon others to supplement and counterbalance their own special service.
We might go further, and look upon each local assembly as such a group of members. They are linked with the whole Church, but in a special way are called to serve where their lot is cast. It will be found therefore that there is an element of important truth in what is sometimes unduly pressed.
The same might be said of the various spiritual faculties of each individual. There are groupings of these, as well as the recognition of their general connection with the whole man. These truths will, we trust, abundantly appear as we proceed with our theme.
The skeleton may be divided into groups in several ways. We may first regard it as tripartite, composed of (1) skull, (2) thorax, or trunk, and (3) limbs. Or we may separate this third division into two:(a) The upper limbs, (b) The lower limbs. We may also recognize five divisions, as follows:(1) The skull, (2) The spine, or backbone, (3) The ribs and sternum, or breastbone, (4) The upper limbs, (5) The lower limbs. Lastly, by separating those bones forming respectively the support of the upper and lower limbs, we have (1) The skull, (2) The spine, (3) The ribs and sternum, (4) The shoulder girdle, (5) The upper limbs, (6) The pelvic girdle, (7) The lower limbs. Each of these groupings is natural, and each will give us a special and appropriate thought.
Just here we will speak of the spiritual significance of numbers in relation to our subject. We must refer our readers to other sources for detailed information upon this intensely interesting and important theme.* *See, "The Numerical Structure of Scripture," by F. W. Grant; "Spiritual Law in the Natural World;" The "Introduction to the Numerical Bible;" The "Witness of Arithmetic to Christ;" all by the same. Use has been freely made of this teaching by the present author in his book, "Lectures on the Tabernacle"- all to be had of the publishers.*
Viewing the skeleton as tripartite, we are reminded that man is by his constitution a tripartite being, composed of spirit, soul, and body (1 Thess. 5:23). It is fitting therefore that the framework of his body should exhibit something of a similar classification. The spirit, the intellectual and moral side of man, finds its corresponding expression in the skull, the seat of the brain and nervous system, where are found the material instruments most closely connected with the mind. Here the mind receives its perceptions through the afferent, or receptive, nerves of the various sense organs, of sight, hearing, smell, taste and feeling. Here at the command of the will are sent forth the impulses from the will that find expression in the countless movements of the other parts of the body. The skull then well answers to No. 1, the seat of primacy, intelligence, and rule.
Similarly, the trunk can be identified with the soul, the seat of the desires, appetites, and affections. Within the trunk are found the vital animal organs which build up the whole body which effect the digestion, assimila***************************PAGES 387 THRU 392 MISSING***********************