Steven_J inquires
On the earlier-raised subject of literal vs. figurative language in scripture, does God in fact keep hail in storehouses (Job 38:22)? What is "the foundation of the Earth," and what is its cornerstone (Job 38:4-6)? Is this all figurative, or does it reflect the actual view of a flat-earth, domed-sky cosmology of many ancient middle eastern cultures? Or is the point that Job cannot even figure out when God is speaking literally or figuratively?
Steven, you ask...
does God in fact keep hail in storehouses (Job 38:22)?
God sure does seem to be asking a whole lot of "where were you when I did this" and "wasn't it me who did that" questions in Job 38. But these aren't questions an omniscient God doesn't already know the answers to. These questions appear to be asked for the benefit of Job.
It would appear that the main idea of Job 38 is that God is the creator of the universe.
What is "the foundation of the Earth,"
The author appears to be emphasizing who it is that laid down the foundation of the Earth. The foundation of the earth could presumably be the beginning of the universe and the physical laws that govern the universe. The author doesn't seem to be answering your question, but answering a fundamentally different question.
what is its cornerstone (Job 38:4-6)?
Again, the author of this passage appears to focus on who it is that laid the cornerstone. The author does not appear to be specifically identify here what that "cornerstone" is.
Is this all figurative, or does it reflect the actual view of a flat-earth, domed-sky cosmology
Those "ancient middle eastern cultures" you refer to may not have had the benefit of the scientific advances of our modern culture, and not have the benefit of our understanding of the physical universe.
But it's apparent that they did have at least some rudimentary understanding of building construction. They understood the need for a building to have a foundation which supports it, and the need for a cornerstone to mark the boundary and direction of a building while it is being constructed.
Or is the point that Job cannot even figure out when God is speaking literally or figuratively?
Steven, it's not clear what your point is.
It would appear that God is alluding to a particular truth, that the fundamental properties of the universe (space, time, matter, motion) and the fundamental parameters (physical laws) that govern the universe, were laid and set in place by God.
What Job actually understood about the physical universe (whether Job thought there was a physical foundation supporting the underside of the earth, even if a stack of turtles, or not)...
You are quite free to question what Job understood.
But this seems seems to be a distraction from the author's main idea. All of those questions God asks Job serve a purpose. But you choose to ignore the author's purpose. You disregard the answer to all of those questions. Instead, you quibble over "speaking literally or figuratively". The "strong implication" of your comment is that the meaning of Job 38 that the author intends for us to take away is a puzzled bewilderment, a confusion about the arrangement of matter in the physical universe described in the passage.
Mission accomplished, Steven, well done.
On the earlier-raised subject of literal vs. figurative language in scripture, does God in fact keep hail in storehouses (Job 38:22)? What is "the foundation of the Earth," and what is its cornerstone (Job 38:4-6)? Is this all figurative, or does it reflect the actual view of a flat-earth, domed-sky cosmology of many ancient middle eastern cultures? Or is the point that Job cannot even figure out when God is speaking literally or figuratively?
Steven, you ask...
does God in fact keep hail in storehouses (Job 38:22)?
God sure does seem to be asking a whole lot of "where were you when I did this" and "wasn't it me who did that" questions in Job 38. But these aren't questions an omniscient God doesn't already know the answers to. These questions appear to be asked for the benefit of Job.
It would appear that the main idea of Job 38 is that God is the creator of the universe.
What is "the foundation of the Earth,"
The author appears to be emphasizing who it is that laid down the foundation of the Earth. The foundation of the earth could presumably be the beginning of the universe and the physical laws that govern the universe. The author doesn't seem to be answering your question, but answering a fundamentally different question.
what is its cornerstone (Job 38:4-6)?
Again, the author of this passage appears to focus on who it is that laid the cornerstone. The author does not appear to be specifically identify here what that "cornerstone" is.
Is this all figurative, or does it reflect the actual view of a flat-earth, domed-sky cosmology
Those "ancient middle eastern cultures" you refer to may not have had the benefit of the scientific advances of our modern culture, and not have the benefit of our understanding of the physical universe.
But it's apparent that they did have at least some rudimentary understanding of building construction. They understood the need for a building to have a foundation which supports it, and the need for a cornerstone to mark the boundary and direction of a building while it is being constructed.
Or is the point that Job cannot even figure out when God is speaking literally or figuratively?
Steven, it's not clear what your point is.
It would appear that God is alluding to a particular truth, that the fundamental properties of the universe (space, time, matter, motion) and the fundamental parameters (physical laws) that govern the universe, were laid and set in place by God.
What Job actually understood about the physical universe (whether Job thought there was a physical foundation supporting the underside of the earth, even if a stack of turtles, or not)...
You are quite free to question what Job understood.
But this seems seems to be a distraction from the author's main idea. All of those questions God asks Job serve a purpose. But you choose to ignore the author's purpose. You disregard the answer to all of those questions. Instead, you quibble over "speaking literally or figuratively". The "strong implication" of your comment is that the meaning of Job 38 that the author intends for us to take away is a puzzled bewilderment, a confusion about the arrangement of matter in the physical universe described in the passage.
Mission accomplished, Steven, well done.
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