Contradiction with 1 Kings 8:30
Amos 3:14 speaks of punishment for the altars of Bethel, while 1 Kings 8:30 speaks of God hearing prayers from heaven and providing forgiveness, highlighting mercy rather than judgment.
1 Kings 8:30: And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. [toward this place: or, in this place]
Contradiction with Hosea 6:6
While Amos 3:14 pronounces judgment on ritualistic altars, Hosea 6:6 emphasizes God's desire for mercy and knowledge of God more than sacrifice.
Hosea 6:6: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Contradiction with Matthew 9:13
Amos 3:14 details judgment on religious practices, yet Matthew 9:13 underscores that God prioritizes mercy over sacrifice, challenging the focus on ritual judgment.
Matthew 9:13: But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:22-23
Amos 3:14 emphasizes judgment on sacrificial sites, but Jeremiah 7:22-23 reflects God's primary concern for obedience over sacrifice, contradicting the focus on altar judgment.
Jeremiah 7:22-23: For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: [concerning: Heb. concerning the matter of]
Paradox #1
This verse discusses God punishing Israel for their wrongdoing. The contradiction might arise from the idea of a loving and forgiving God also being very punishing and harsh. This could seem inconsistent to some people, as they may find it difficult to understand how these two aspects of God's nature can coexist.