Lots of scripture there Joe I will add one cents too, short of time
Lets look at the words riddle and parable
H4912 משׁל mâshâl maw-shawl'
Apparently from H4910 in some original sense of superiority in mental action; properly a pithy maxim, usually of a metaphorical nature; hence a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse): - byword, like,
parable, proverb.H2420 חידה chîydâh khee-daw'
From H2330; a puzzle; hence a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim: - dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question,
proverb, riddle.
Most of the obvious or non hidden riddles were in Judges centered around Samson (lots of spiritual metaphors there) and as we know that the NT is "riddled with what appear to be plainly written parables but even these are not revealed to all.
Gen 3:22
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:
(Exo 4:2)
And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.H4294 מטּה מטּה maṭṭeh maṭṭâh mat-teh', mat-taw'
rodFrom H5186; a
branch (as extending); figuratively a tribe; also a rod, whether for
chastising (figuratively correction),
ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff;
figuratively a support of life, for example bread): -
rod, staff, tribe.
Deu 28:13 KJV
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
(Deu 28:13) YLT`
And Jehovah hath given thee for head, and not for tail; and thou hast been only above, and art not beneath, for thou dost hearken unto the commands of Jehovah thy God, which I am commanding thee to-day, to keep and to do,H2180 זנב zânâb zaw-nawb'
From H2179 (in the original sense of flapping); the tail (literally or figuratively): -
tail.H7218 ראשׁ rô'sh roshe
From an unused root
apparently meaning to shake;
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literally or figuratively (in many applications, of place, time, rank, etc.): - band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief (-est place, man, things), company, end, X every [man], excellent, first, forefront, ([be-]) head, height, (on) high (-est part, [priest]), X lead, X poor, principal, ruler, sum,
(Isa 9:14) KJV
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.Isa 9:15
The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail(Isa 9:14) YLT
And Jehovah cutteth off from Israel head and tail, Branch and reed--the same day,
(Isa 9:15)
Elder, and accepted of face, he is the head, Prophet, teacher of falsehood, he is the tail.Now see
(Exo 4:3)
And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.the snake is a perfect metaphor, telling the difference between head and tail can be confusing, they are sometimes posonous,
(2Co 11:13)
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Rom 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 1Jn 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. Rodger
Joel 2:25
"Then I will make up to you for the years That the swarming locust has eaten There has got to be some interesting connections to this reference... is this a serious response to Joe or a rhetorical one ?
beloved