Rav Saadia Gaon discuses Deuteronomy 4:24 to illustrate an instance where Scripture is not interpreted according to its "literal" meaning, 


  "Likewise we find for the statement of Scripture: For the Lord thy
  God is a fire, a good interpretation, by way of metaphor or analogy,
  to the effect that God's punishment is like a consuming fire that
  burns up quickly, as Scripture says elsewhere: For a fire is kindled
  in my nostril (Deut. 32:22). (The Book of Beliefs and Opinions 7:2,
  Yale/Rosenblatt page 415-416)


The Rambam cites Deuteronomy 4:24 in Yesodei haTorah 2:4


  What is meant by the prophets' statements that they saw an angel of
  fire or with wings? All these are prophetic visions and parables, as
  [Deuteronomy 4:24] states: "God, your Lord, is consuming fire," though
  He is not fire and [the description of Him in this manner] is only
  metaphoric. Similarly, [Psalms 104:4] states: "He makes His angels as
  winds...."


and again in the Guide to illustrate alternative usages of the verb to eat 


  "(God) is a destroying (lit. eating) fire" (Deut. iv. 24), that is, He
  destroys those who rebel against Him, as the fire destroys everything
  that comes within its reach. Instances of this kind are very
  frequent." (Guide for the Perplexed 1:30)


I have yet to see anywhere which breaks down the analogy in the manner you have described and it is possible that this is what is added to by the latter sources who cite the Rambam (or others) in support of the general approach to the verse.

"God is Fire": Trying to Source an Analogy for Prayer
I bought a piece of salami from a supermarket a week ago (a large chunk of a full sausage from the delicatessen, not sliced stuff in a pack) and I was wondering how long past the 'use by' date it's safe to eat the stuff. I know that the idea behind salami is that it can be store for many months at room temperature, but food bought from a modern supermarket usually bears little resemblance to the traditional meat. It's now a week past it's 'use by' date, and when trying a tiny piece earlier to see if it tasted ok, it had a slight sour taste to it, and I dared no go any further. Does this sound like it's not safe to eat, or is it stil ok if I can handle the new flavour?
