Contradiction with 1 Samuel 15:3
This verse commands the Israelites to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including women and children, which contradicts the commandment to love the stranger.
1 Samuel 15:3: Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 23:3
This verse prohibits Ammonites and Moabites from entering the assembly of the Lord, which conflicts with welcoming and loving the stranger.
Deuteronomy 23:3: An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:
Contradiction with Ezra 10:11
This verse instructs the Israelites to separate themselves from foreign wives, indicating exclusion rather than love for the stranger.
Ezra 10:11: Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Contradiction with Nehemiah 13:25
Nehemiah reprimands those who married foreign women, which contradicts the inclusive directive to love the stranger.
Nehemiah 13:25: And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. [cursed: or, reviled]
Paradox #1
Deuteronomy 10:19 encourages love and kindness towards foreigners. A potential inconsistency arises when compared to other verses that call for separation from or even hostility towards foreign nations, as seen in some Old Testament contexts. This could seem contradictory because of the differing instructions on how to interact with people from outside the Israelite community.
Paradox #2
Some people might see a contradiction because this verse encourages kindness to strangers, but other parts of the Bible describe times when the Israelites were at war with other nations. This could seem inconsistent because it might be hard to understand how to be welcoming to foreigners while also engaging in conflict with other groups.
Paradox #3
Deuteronomy 10:19 contains an instruction about treating foreigners with kindness. A potential inconsistency arises when comparing this with other parts of the Bible where foreign nations are sometimes treated as enemies or where strict rules are applied to outsiders. This difference in approach can seem contradictory.
Paradox #4
The potential contradiction in Deuteronomy 10:19 could be the idea of loving and accepting strangers, which might conflict with other parts of the Bible where people are told to separate or act against certain groups. This inconsistency can be confusing when trying to apply the teachings consistently in real life.