Contradiction with Deuteronomy 1:15
This verse discusses appointing leaders with wisdom and experience, focusing on ability and merit rather than solely on justice, contrasting with the specific mandate in Deuteronomy 16:18 for judges to execute justice.
Deuteronomy 1:15: So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. [made: Heb. gave]
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 8:5
This verse recounts people asking for a king to judge them, which contradicts the judicial structure proposed in Deuteronomy 16:18 that aims for decentralized and local governance through appointed judges.
1 Samuel 8:5: And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 3:16
This verse speaks about wickedness in the place of judgment, suggesting that justice may not prevail, contradicting the ideal of unwavering justice that Deuteronomy 16:18 expects from judges.
Ecclesiastes 3:16: And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there.
Contradiction with Matthew 7:1
This verse advises against judging others to avoid being judged in return, which can be seen as opposing the instruction in Deuteronomy 16:18 to appoint judges who are tasked with making judgments.
Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Contradiction with Romans 13:1
This verse emphasizes submission to governing authorities ordained by God, possibly implying divine sovereignty over human judgment and governance structures, contrasting with the proactive establishment of judges in Deuteronomy 16:18.
Romans 13:1: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [ordained: or, ordered]
Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 6:1
This verse advises Christians to resolve disputes within the church rather than seeking judgment from secular courts, contradicting the instruction in Deuteronomy 16:18 to establish earthly judges for justice.
1 Corinthians 6:1: Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in Deuteronomy 16:18 could arise from the challenge of ensuring fair and unbiased judgment. While the verse calls for the appointment of judges to ensure justice, human judges can sometimes be biased or corrupt, which might lead to moral inconsistencies between the ideal of perfect justice and the reality of human imperfection.