CHAPTER 6
Muscular Tissue;
The Structure and Grouping of the Muscles (Continued from p. 333.)
2. Muscles connected with the back. These muscles, many of them, are more intimately concerned with the posture of the great axis of the body, the spine, than with the more manifest movements, though of course these are by no means absent. In fact the muscle suggests movement, though some parts of the body, as the upper and lower limbs, are more free in movement than those which are connected with the foundation of the structure. The muscles of the back-with the ligaments binding all together-will therefore be found to serve the great purpose of maintaining the vertebral column in its uprightness, compactness and stability, and then giving it the movements which are consistent with this.
Speaking in general, we will find a great variety of muscular structure, together with much intricacy, and yet all in beautiful harmonious relation. Thus the firmness and yet elasticity of the whole is secured.
The new man is a spiritual vertebrate. "God hath made man upright" (Eccl. 7:29). This refers to the first man, who has, alas, fallen from his high estate, and become "like the beasts that perish" ( Ps. 49:20 ). But the mercy of God has provided a new creation which answers to His mind in a fuller, higher way than even the original position which man had -"the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Col. 3:10). The new man is thus in the image of the perfect Man, "created in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:10). May we not then reverently seek to find the great factors of holy uprightness and yet perfect adaptable grace which characterized our blessed Lord? In Him there was all that the infinite perfections of God could desire-"My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
The Church as the Body of Christ will, as we have seen, manifest these characteristics in a corporate way, where each muscle will set forth some features belonging to individual saints, or to groups blended and knit together, "compacted by that which every joint (joining, that which connects) supplieth" (Eph. 4:6).
There are in general five layers of muscles in the back, serving their varied purposes, described by the portions of the framework with which they are connected.
(1) The Vertebro-Scapular Group. This is composed of the more superficial ones which move the scapula, or shoulder-blade, and the shoulder. The Trapezius, which is largely in the upper part of the back, extends from the region of the spine to the shoulder-blade and clavicle. It raises the shoulder, and rotates the shoulder-blade. The Latissimus Dorsi originates in the lower part of the spine, and extends upward to the shoulder, serving to draw the arm downward and backward, also to rotate the shoulder.
(2) A deeper set is also grouped with the above muscles, but is here placed in its order, under the second layer, (a) The Levator Scapular, as its name implies, nearest to elevate the shoulder-blade, and the margins nearest the spine, (b) The two Rhomboidei, minor and major. All these serve in general to draw back the shoulder-blades, bracing them and coordinating with the pectoral muscles which would draw the shoulders forward.
These first two groups are thus directly connected with the movements of the shoulders, insuring strength and mobility, and an erect posture. Of our blessed Lord it is said, "The government shall be upon his shoulder" (Isa. 9:6). To rule there must be the strength requisite. Even a human government must be strong, and He who sent forth His apostles to bring disciples into His kingdom gave them the assurance of His power-"All power is given unto Me, in heaven and in earth" (Matt. 28:18). The word for "power" here is «|ovxria, primarily "authority," but this is ever with Him linked with spiritual power. Not yet is the kingdom displayed in its full power, but the presence and action of all strength that is needed for its testimony is here. There is nothing of might making right;" it is all subject to the supreme and perfect will of the holy, righteous source of all.
A beautiful illustration of these shoulders of strength is seen in the Shepherd who bears the lost sheep which had been found-"He layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing" (Lk. 15:5). Those shoulders of strength can never fail. How safe then is the helpless, feeble wanderer as it rests upon a strength not its own.
Similarly, "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). Provision has been made in these strong spiritual muscles of the back to bear the various trials and burdens which fall upon God's people. Whether we look at the action of the individual or of the Church as a whole, the truth is beautifully illustrated. There are some set in the Body specially adapted for burden-bearing. "We then that are strong," says the apostle, "ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Rom. 15:1). One may not have a place, so to speak, in the facial muscles, or those of speech, and yet be most needful as a bearer of burdens. These great muscles of the back are not for show, but for service. May we learn to use them after the example of the great Burden-Bearer.
(3) The third layer is called the Vertebra-Costal, from the relation of some of them to the ribs, connecting them with the spine. They serve as extensors of the vertebral column, and assist in respiration. Others – the Splenius, with its two branches – are used in various motions of the head, as well as extensors of the vertebral column. Not only are some of the muscles of the back adapted to bearing burdens, but others are connected with both respiration and the head. Bearing burdens is not an unintelligent, blind act of strength, but is linked with intelligent control. The activities of some may be directly engaged with the shoulders, but others are in more direct connection with the guiding and controlling head, and still others in the extraordinary efforts of respiration. If, as we may see later, respiration suggests the spirit of prayer and communion, how essential it is for all true burden-bearing. The authority too of the head is ever supreme, and is the sole guide in all the putting forth of strength. Here at least is food for prayerful thought and faith.
(4) The fourth layer, called the Vertebral, is almost exclusively connected with various parts of the spine, and the adjacent ribs. The general name for the muscle of this layer is the Erector Spinal, which is divided into a number of parts, of which there are eight. Speaking of the muscle as a whole, it extends from the bones of the pelvis, along each side of the spine, to the neck and head. There are numerous insertions into the different vertebrae and ribs, and the various segments of the muscle overlap each other at these insertions, forming a continuity throughout the entire spine. The action is correspondingly complex and full. The entire pelvis, spine, neck, head and ribs are affected in their movements and posture by it. The head is assisted in its extension and lateral movements, as the spine also, and it assists in the movements of the pelvis in walking. In short, it is the great muscle of the entire back. It also assists in respiration. We do not enter further into details, but the marvelous mechanism of this portion of our anatomy exhibits the wisdom, power and goodness of our Creator, the Word, by and for whom all was devised and carried through.
Turning to glean some of the spiritual lessons, we are reminded of the perfection and carriage of Him who as the perfect Man exhibited all the strength, beauty and beneficence of a perfect attitude and action. How erect His whole carriage was, not merely physical, but moral and spiritual. His uprightness was perfect-"Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" (John :46) He could ask His enemies-declaring without fear of challenge, "The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him" (John 8:29). Even Pilate and the traitor Judas were constrained to acknowledge this (John 18:38; Matt. 27:4); while from the lips of the "dying thief" came the confession unto salvation, "This Man hath done nothing amiss" (Lk. 23:41). He was the Holy and the Just One-upright in His entire being. While speaking thus in a general way, it will be seen how this is illustrated by the portion of the body upon which we are dwelling. If He sat at the well, "wearied with his journey" (John 4:6), it showed how completely He had entered into the circumstances of man's life, sin apart. If He "stooped down and wrote on the ground" (John 8:8), it showed how He was bending low not to condemn but to save. If He knelt in prayer, it showed His complete dependence upon God His Father; and prostrate in the garden, His attitude told only of His coming low in mercy and grace, even for His enemies, and not of the slightest weakness or imperfection in His spotless righteousness.
On the other hand, sin warps the carriage of man, as fully seen in the penalty upon the rejectors of our Lord- "Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway" (Rom. 11:10). There was no uprightness in them, and the figure illustrates their moral condition.
We see too how grace and mercy meet the prostrate condition of the soul. "There was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bound together, and could in no wise lift up herself" (Lk. 13:11). Through some action of Satan, this "daughter of Abraham"-this child of faith-was bound by the enemy, and her crouching figure was the contrast to the upright liberty in which God wills that man should walk. She was helpless, and her deliverance came in the spoken word and almighty hand of Him who had come to meet the "strong man," and set the prisoner free. What a "glorious thing" (ver. 17) it was to see the erect, rejoicing figure of one thus made free. "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop, but a good word maketh it glad" (Prov. 12:25). She received "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness'" (Isa. 61:3).
As previously remarked, the muscles are for mobility, and not mere rigidity. A "stiff neck" illustrates the pride and rebellion of the natural heart, holding out against God. This is in contrast to the Lord, "meek and lowly." We may be sure that in all the abundance of His provision, the Lord has not omitted to supply for true humility, coupled with the dignity and firmness of the true bearing of faith.
Of the corporate suggestions regarding these muscles a similar remark applies, bearing in mind that the testimony and conduct of the Church is a blended one. Every portion of the body, as we have frequently seen contributes to the action of the whole. So in the movements of the back, all is compacted together in such a way as to secure the stability, firmness and variety of all stand and testimony. There will be the right attitude toward all the great questions, doctrinal and moral, and at the same time, without sacrificing faithfulness to the Lord, a spirit of true yieldingness and consideration of the needs of the least of His own. There will be a conformity to the image of God's dear Son, having His character reproduced in the company of His people down here-"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13).
(5) The fifth layer is composed of a number of muscles, smaller and larger, which are concerned with the movements of the spine and the head. Doubtless there is a fulness of suggestion here, awaiting painstaking reverent study, for all is the plan of a merciful and faithful Creator for the Body of Christ, of One who "loved the Church and gave Himself for it." S. R.
(To be continued. D. V.)