CHAPTER 5

The Framework of the Body-the Skeleton

(Continued from p. 60.)

Before leaving this part of our subject, we add a word about the division of the spinal column into the four parts already spoken of, and the number of vertebrae forming each part.

The cervical vertebrae are seven, a number suggesting completeness and perfection. As we have seen, these vertebrae are primarily adapted to supporting the head upon an erect body. God has provided in the Church a complete vehicle for displaying the perfections of His beloved Son. Christ is manifested to the world through the channel of the Church, not primarily or sufficiently in nature, nor by the mind of man, but by that perfect revelation in the Word of God, the Scriptures, which is the enlightenment of the Church. We cannot think of the real Church-whatever extravagant claims may be made by that which calls itself "the true church"-as being anything but the channel of communication of the perfect Word of God, as revealed in the Scriptures. Should the Church depart from the Word of God, it will have lost this sevenfold fitness to hold forth the glories of the person and work of our Lord.

While speaking of the cervical vertebrae, it will be noticed that the processes are smaller and the arches, or cavities, are, larger than in the remaining part of the spine. Especially the two topmost vertebrae have features peculiarly their own. The topmost, or atlas, which is directly connected with the skull, is largely a ring, the posterior part of which is for the spinal cord, and the anterior part, separated by a transverse ligament, receives the pivot, or odontoid process, from the second vertebrae, round which the atlas revolves for a considerable arc. The nearer the vertebrae are connected with the head, the more completely are they adapted to their especial function. This is beautifully seen in John's Gospel, where "the disciple whom Jesus loved" is lost sight of in Him whom he delights to exhibit. The nearer we are, morally, to our Lord, the more we are lost sight of, and lose sight of ourselves, as we seek to point Him out. What a ministry would that be which thus was so engaged with its great Object that it was eclipsed.

There are twelve vertebrae in the dorsal part of the spine. Twelve is the number of government, of administration-3 x 4, the divine taking hold of the creature and using it for His own purposes. Thus the Millennium will display the blessedness of His government who will lay His hand upon the earth-

"He'll bid the whole creation smile, And hush its groan."

Similarly twelve is prominent in the foundation and gates of the heavenly city, and in the fruits of the tree of life. Even eternity will display the glories of the

"Vast universe of bliss "
whose Center and Sun is the Lamb of God. Twelve, therefore, has many suggestive thoughts. It is appropriate that the thorax should have this number connected with its structure. The twelve vertebrae, the twelve ribs on each side, are intimately connected with those vital organs which are typical of the administration and proper functioning of the whole body. From between these vertebrae, as with them all, proceed the nerves at whose typical meaning we have given a mere glance. Each pair of these controls the functioning of some vital organ. As a whole, it is well administered, as the twelve suggests.

Speaking more particularly of the thorax and its vital organs as a type of the Church, we can see how perfectly our Lord has provided for its nourishment and cherishing. Nothing has been omitted which is needed for the "edification in love." This will come before us when we come to speak of each of these vital organs. The number of divine administration prepares us to expect this full provision.

The lumbar vertebrae are five in number, suggesting, according to the significance with which we are familiar, the creature with the Creator, 44-1. It is also the number of human capacity and of responsibility. The lumbar region is the seat of the kidneys and the lower viscera, where many most essential organs are located. The details of this must come before us later; it is enough here to note the appropriateness of the number five, with its witness to man's capacity and consequent responsibility. Perhaps the activities of this portion of the body are more closely connected with the mind and volition than others, also with the instincts, and in this way pointing in the same direction. As the seat of many of the processes of elimination, we are reminded of the action of conscience, the reins, which differentiates man as a moral, responsible being.

It is interesting also to note the part taken by this portion of the spine in maintaining the erect position. These vertebrae have the convex curve like the cervical, and supplement, in a somewhat secondary way, the upright position of the man secured by the position of the head and cervical vertebrae. These two factors-faith which is engaged with Christ, and self-judgment, self-restraint that practical uprightness which is the mark of the new man-"which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness," έv δικαιoσύv καί όσιότητι τς ληθείας (Eph. 4:24). Both the righteousness and the holiness (wholeness, soundness) are characterized by truth, which produces and maintains it. And this was perfectly displayed in our Lord down here-"As [the] truth is in Jesus." That which ever marked Him was this absolute uprightness. He was characterized by the constant occupation with the Father, the maintenance of His glory, and by "truth in the inward parts, and wisdom in the hidden part" (Ps. SI:6). He is thus the Perfect Man, exhibiting in His entire walk and character all that the mind and heart of God desires. So the acme of all His purposes and desires for His people is that we should be "conformed to the image of His Son." Here is the significance of 5, "Immanuel, God with us.'

In painful contrast with this perfection is its opposite, when there is a hovering over and yielding to the carnal tendencies of the lumbar region, which assimilates man to the beast. Temperance-έγκράτεια, strength within, or self-restraint-holds back from the undue allowance of that which is natural, and within proper limits, right. The "girded loins," of which Scripture so often speaks give us this truth. It is an inward, preceding the outward girding, as is true in all things.

Of the sacral curve we can say but little. It is in one sense supplementary to the rest of the spinal column, though not unnecessary, as nothing in the body is. Originally the sacrum is composed of five and the coccyx of four, but in maturity these are solidified into one each, making thus two, the characteristic number of this portion. Its curvature is, like the thoracic or dorsal, concave, thus affording room for the viscera. It forms the keystone, we may say, of the pelvic arch, uniting all into the ring of the pelvis, and giving it the rigidity and strength required for what we may call the foundation of the trunk or thorax.

Two is the number of help, of union, and this fittingly describes the main function of the sacral vertebrae, binding all together in its firm effectual way. We need not remind the reader of whom this number two speaks, and of His work which has united our whole being in one harmonious whole.

Thus each group of vertebrae, 7-12-5-2, has its own story of grace and truth to tell. S. R.

(To be continued, D. V.)