"In Our image" and "after Our likeness" does not mean man looks like God, but he is the representative of God on earth. He has an everlasting soul and intellect and authority over all earthly creation. Man, in this honored place, is set apart from all else by his upright body-something no other earthly creature ever had or will have.
It is the spine (backbone) that gives man this character. It is a remarkable column of vertebrae which provides a flexible and strong support for the body. If it were one solid bone a person would be as rigid as a toy soldier. That is why God provided 36 separate vertebrae, reaching from the base of the skull to the hips. The spine is also formed in curves to act as a shock absorber and provide maximum strength. Cervical vertebrae support the head; thoracic (chest) vertebrae have the 12 pairs of ribs hooked to them; and the lumbar vertebrae near the bottom of the spine carry most of the load.
The vertebrae are held together by discs (or pads) which look something like washers on a garden hose. The top and bottom surfaces of these are cemented to the bones above and below them. Their centers are filled with jelly-like material, allowing the spine to move this way or that and yet retain proper form. The edges of the disc are made of tough layers of strong, elastic gristle to keep the "jelly" from leaking out.
The whole column of the spine is hollow, to accommodate a one-half-inch thick spinal cord running through it. This cord connects 31 pairs of nerves from the brain to various parts of the body, carrying nerve impulses (messages) back and forth. Many things that go on in our bodies between our necks and the soles of our feet are controlled by the brain through the nerves coming down the spinal column. The skull, at the top of the spine, has an opening for the spinal cord and is so placed that it does not interfere with man's erect posture. Now this is different in an ape, whose cord passes through an opening that forces its head forward and overbalances him. Because of this, it cannot stand erect (except very briefly) and must go on all fours or use its arms for support. This is another evidence that men and apes are not related-regardless of what some teach.
The Bible tells us, "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him." 1 Cor. 12:1818But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:18). The design and actions of every part of the body are marvelous to consider. How wisely the Creator arranged all parts to have their individual functions, yet to be dependent on one another. The backbone is just one example of this display.
No wonder David could exclaim, "I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works." Psa. 139:1414I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14). And as he thought on this he added, "How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" Psa. 139:1717How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:17). Have you also praised and thanked Him for His thoughts toward you?