CHAPTER 5

The Framework of the Body-the Skeleton

(Continued from p.102.)

We pass next to consider briefly the remaining bones which form the thorax, the enclosure containing and protecting the vital organs. The spinal column, as we have seen, is the support of this enclosure, in the back; in front is the sternum, or breastbone, and connecting these are ten pairs of ribs, flat and curved. The ribs are attached at two points of contact with the vertebrae, and held fast by numbers of marvelously strong ligaments, confining their motion to a limited area. In front they are united – the first seven pairs – by cartilage to the breastbone, the three next pairs are connected in the same way to the next rib above, and the last two pairs, or "floating ribs," are connected only to the spinal column. It is of the utmost importance that the vital organs should be protected in this way, otherwise their functions would be seriously impaired, if not altogether hindered.

This chamber is not so rigid and completely isolated from outside interference as the cranial cavity, but the enclosure speaks in a similar way of the inviolability of vital functions. When the Lord God formed the woman, He took from the man one of the ribs, not a bone from the cranium (Gen. 2:21, 22). The man and woman are thus united as "one flesh" not by the mental and spiritual individuality, which is inviolate in each, but in that which speaks of the affections and of communion. The husband and wife are thus two individuals, joined by tenderest and holiest ties, but each responsible to God. It is well to realize this, and not to attempt to force the conscience of the wife in a way that would ignore her spiritual individuality.

We need to be very careful in intruding into the inner life of God's children. The walk and the doings are external-hands and feet are extended for general inspection; but the "thoughts and intents" of the heart are for the action of the discerning word of God (Heb. 4:12), and to Him who hath searched and known us (Ps. 139:1, etc.). We must be slow to impute motives which are not evidenced by the deeds. There is a ministry for the heart and for personal communion, but it is by the appeal to the conscience and the affections, and not by outward control.* *It must not be gathered from this that we cannot judge feelings and motives. Actions will show the state of the heart, and are often unmistakable. But the apostle himself never intruded beyond what was manifest. The testimony of two or three witnesses must be had, or universal knowledge form the basis of his judgment (1 Cor. 5:1; 2 Cor. 13:1,2). What a relief it is not to be forced to open up the spiritual condition of a brother, but to judge of that which is before our eyes. We can see if hands are not clean; we may be mistaken if we go to the heart without the confirming witness of the hands. Joab laid grievous charges against Abner, as to his purpose and the state of his heart in coming to David, without confirmatory proof; and when he smote him under the fifth rib (2 Sam. 3:25-27), he branded himself as an assassin, ready to carry out his relentless enmity whenever it served his purpose (2 Sam. 20:9,10).*

Numberless other details in the form, arrangement and purpose of the bones of the thorax would yield much of profit, but we leave it for the prayerful study of those "who have pleasure therein." Of the significance of the twelve pairs of ribs we have already spoken, in connection with the vertebrae.

We come next to speak of the bones forming the framework of the upper and lower extremities, and as we have been dwelling upon the thorax, or trunk, we will follow down and seek to learn something as to the standing and walk, as shown in the bones of the lower extremities.

We have already mentioned the pelvis as being of great importance in serving as a basis for the trunk, or body. The word means a basin, and this appropriately describes one of its functions in acting as a container, in great measure, of the viscera. This service it performs in connection with the sacrum and the coccyx, the terminal of the vertebral column.

How necessary is it that the various spiritual elements, described in the Scriptures as the "bowels," should have the solid support and be under the control of the sure word of God, vitally united with our being. We can apply this individually and corporately. If we are left to our feelings and emotions, or even to the workings of our desires and affections, without the strong support of the bracing word of God, we will be "soft," too pliable, and little fitted to take and maintain a firm stand. Eli had an over-development of the viscera, without a corresponding firmness which would have bounded and limited it- he was "an old man and heavy" (1 Sam. 4:18). We see the same without the presence of grace in the corpulent Eglon (Judg. 3:17, etc.).

There must also be this underlying strength of the Word in our corporate relations, in the assembly. Even true spiritual tenderness and affections would not serve as a substitute for subjection to the Word. Let it be remembered that the "bone" is not the Word external to ourselves, which might result in legality and formalism, but in vital union with us. If the feelings and affections of the Church outstrip its solid grounding upon and assimilation with the Word, the testimony becomes weak and flaccid, too pliable and yielding to maintain the erect, firm stand for the glory of Christ. Many applications will occur to the thoughtful reader. There is laxity in reception without proper care; the order of the house is not firmly maintained; the enemies of the truth are not vigorously met and fought if spiritual corpulence has enveloped and overlaps the pelvic basis of the truth. As in nature, so in grace, this corpulence and easy going amiability are the result of some form of self-indulgence. It may not be exactly carnal, but a superabundance of the affections without the counterpoise of the truth.

But we speak of the pelvis chiefly as the "girdle" of the lower extremities. It is composed, as we have seen, of the two bones at the extremity of the spine – the sacrum and coccyx-and the two large hip-bones, called ossa innominate. Speaking of these simply, the hip-bone is in infancy composed of three parts, the ilium, or upper part, the ischium or lower, and the pubis which helps to form the front part of the pelvis. These three unite and form the acetabulum, or socket for the thigh-bone, or femur. It is good to see that all firmness in the things of God is closely linked with activity also. The hip not only supports, but is the starting point of the walk as well. Mere firmness, without provision for the walk, would be stubbornness. An individual or a company may pride themselves on their conservativeness and stability, but their walk is not provided for. The joint, or acetabulum, is so shallow that the femur slips out. This hip dislocation is more frequent in spiritual than in natural subjects.
The femur or thigh-bone is the longest and strongest bone of the body, as it must be to carry the weight and perform the service for which it is designed. Its form at both extremities, with ample provision for articulation, by a ball and socket joint at the hip, and by a hinge-like joint to the tibia and fibula below, is beautifully adapted to its requirements. Activity and stability are stamped upon it. Standing and walk are its functions. This calls for meditation rather than exposition when we come to the spiritual meaning.

Significantly, this bone is one; strength and mobility are the main things required. As we go downward we come to two-the tibia and fibula-and then to seven of the tarsus, and five of the metatarsus, and fourteen of the phalanges. Greater adaptability is called for as we reach the place of contact with the earth. The briefest glance at each of these groups must suffice, serving merely as a suggestion for the reader to pursue the analogy for himself.

The tibia, the larger of the two bones forming the lower leg, is joined to the femur, while the fibula, or more slender bone, is united to it. Both of these bones articulate with a bone of the ankle. The disciples were sent forth two and two, for "two are better than one" (Eccl. 4:9), and of these no doubt one was the stronger. This is abundantly seen in Paul and Barnabas. The strength of the one was supplemented by the "consolation," as his name implies, of the other.

So in our individual walk, the two elements of strength and adaptability are present in every normal Christian.

We must not overlook the lowly but important patella, or knee-cap, whose service in protecting the knee-joint is so essential. A stiff knee interferes with locomotion, and the patella guards against this. Paul's nephew was such a protection (Acts 23:16, etc.), and was used of God to enable the beloved apostle to continue his triumphal "march," although a prisoner. In kneeling, the protection of the patella, more or less direct, insures that no injury occurs. We need never consider prayer a hindrance to spiritual locomotion. Time spent on our knees will be followed by spiritual alertness:"They shall run and not be weary" (Isa. 40:31).

The tarsus, as the seven bones of the ankle and upper foot are called, is where the person touches earth. The heel-bone, the calcaneum, is the largest and strongest; it is not only a support but a lever to which the main muscle of locomotion, the gastrocnemius, is attached by the strongest tendon of the body.

These seven irregularly shaped bones of the tarsus, bound by ligaments, are wonderfully adapted for their purpose-strength and mobility. The seven may remind us of the perfect standing-as the blood was sprinkled seven times before the mercy seat (Lev. 16:14), which also admits of the movements needed in the walk-"Walk before Me and be thou perfect" (Gen. 17:1). We surely dare not deny the provision for our walk-"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked" (1 John 2:6). Equally must we own our dependence upon Another for the strength to do this. This is imparted at the very first, and yet the sense of dependence must never be lost. "His feet and ankle bones, received strength," βάσεις, the foundation, or base (Acts 3:7), and this was followed by the leap of joy and the steadfast walk which followed.

The five bones of the metatarsus, or instep, suggest the measure of our responsibility in our walk, and these are followed by the fourteen phalanges, three for each of the smaller toes and two for the great toe. Here the 2 x 7 give testimony to the provision for the walk, and the three in each toe, with the two of the controlling one might well be translated in the language of Scripture, "Enoch walked with God," activity in communion.

While speaking of the bones of the lower limbs it will not be out of place to mention that walking is not acquired in the new born babe until the formation and hardening of the bones has progressed sufficiently to insure safety. Any undue precocity in this direction is to be checked. Birth, nutrition, growth, will eventuate in a walk as Royal Priests in due time (1 Pet., chap. 2). We cannot force the babes; a reaction or permanent disfigurement will follow.

How important too is proper bone nutrition, that the limbs of the little one may be kept from rachitis with its attendant deformities and feebleness. Here both literally and spiritually the "milk of the Word" with its stable calcium is indicated.

The fifth group of the bones of the skeleton is composed of the bones of the arm, with the "girdle" of the shoulder. As the bilateral arrangement is complete here, we will speak of but one side at a time. The "girdle" is composed of two bones, the clavicle, or collar-bone, in front, and the scapula, or shoulder-blade, at the back. By articulation with the sternum, or breast-bone, at one end, and with the scapula at the other, the two clavicles complete the circuit of the upper part of the trunk, and thus is formed the support for the arms. If the clavicle is broken, or the shoulder dislocated, the arm drops helplessly.

The shoulders, practically formed by the joining of the clavicle and the scapula, are synonymous with strength. The breastplate of the High Priest was fastened at the shoulders and at the girdle. Thus it reposed upon his bosom. "Whose love is as great as His power" gives the meaning. Here the Shepherd put the sheep to carry it with rejoicing home. Here the government safely rests (Isa. 9:6). The entire framework is, we might say, focused at the shoulder. How humbling then is it for one to bow his shoulder and to become a servant unto tribute (Gen. 49:15).

The structure of the humerus, or upper arm, and its articulation is similar to that of the femur, only there is room for freer movement. The two bones of the forearm, the ulna and radius, by their articulation permit the fullest use of the hand, which is a marvel of adaptability by reason of the "universal joint" at the wrist, or carpus. The eight bones of the latter remind us of the "new covenant," when with laws written in the heart, the labor of the hand will cease to be the toil of legal effort. The metacarpus, with its five bones anticipates the spiritual meaning of the five fingers, the measures of man's capacity and responsibility. The hinge joint of the phalanges, or fingers, preserves the directness of motion; "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Eccl. 9:10).

We have thus taken a brief and partial survey of the framework of our body. How good is He who has thus provided us not only with a literal support and power for leverage in all bodily movements, but a spiritual as well. May all be used to His praise. S. R.

(To be continued, D. V.)
"Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead"-Rom. 6:13.

1. My EYES are to be upon Jesus-Heb. 12:2.
2. My FEET are to be in the race-course-Heb. 12:1.
3. My HANDS are to minister to others-Eph. 4:28.
4. My MIND is to beset on things above-Col. 3:2,
5. My HEART is to be established with grace-Heb. 13:9.
6. My BODY is to be a living sacrifice-Rom. 12:1.
7. MYSELF-Spirit, Soul and Body-blameless at the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST-1 Thess. 5:23.