You can see that process very good on these kinds of threads... Some have a hard time grasping the metaphors and metaphorical aspects of scripture.. Reading much of the bible literally and missing the subtle aspects of the metaphors.. even though there are places that should be viewed literally.. The literalists get flumoxed on which is literal and which isn't so they view it ALL as literal.. I suspect..
Could be because a metaphor is/are words that say something about something else than the words really mean.. WHich is the POINT of even speaking metaphorically.. To transact ideas beyond what the words are capable of.. or even to hide the real meaning..
Symbols (e.g., metaphors) are what they are because we humans sometimes need to transcend mere literal or "descriptive" language in order to grasp and convey the deeper truths that inform our experience of reality. We cannot entirely leave the realm of conventional language here, assuming we wish to communicate our insights to others. The problem is how to make the conventional language express the deeper insights, which are also in a certain way "conventional"; i.e., because of their long historical heritage and universality. Any good symbol has to survive historical change in order to claim and retain its bona fides. [Which is why the Progressive Left is ever so intent on the transformation of cultural symbols as a major lever of cultural change — a topic for another time perhaps.]
Of course, the Holy Bible excels at this sort of thing. Moreoever, it is the single best-selling book of all time; and this trend seemingly continues into our own day.
Considering its Author, this should come as no surprise to anyone.
But then again, in our skeptical age, we might ask: Why should this be so? This (it seems to me, since the question of legitimate Authorship has been effectively laid aside) is to turn the question to what the Holy Bible is all about.
If I might humbly suggest, what the Holy Bible is all about is the universal description of a Great Hierarchy of Being: God–Man–World–Society. The emphasis is on the God–Man relation, made manifest in the Life and Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that it is through this relation that the other partners in being are established in their respective dignities.
The Bible is not a recipe book, a roadmap, an instruction manual, or scientific textbook of any kind. It does not directly deal with any phenomena of physical nature. Thus its subject matter is entirely beyond the realm of scientific description. Its subject matter is the spiritual dimension of human life and experience — to man's relations with God, Nature, and Society.
According to the late Francis Schaeffer, God ever speaks to us "truly" through the language of the Holy Bible, though not "exhaustively." If He were to speak "exhaustively," there would be no room for human free will in the universe.
I invite you, dear reader, to consider that last observation. And then to give all thanks, praise, and glory to our amazingly Provident God in Whom we rest and have our being, Our loving Father and Creator.