Contradiction with Jeremiah 1:7
This verse indicates that God can command even a young and inexperienced person to speak in His name, which might be seen as contradicting the strict prohibition about speaking presumptuously in Deuteronomy 18:20.
Jeremiah 1:7: But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Contradiction with Jonah 3:4
Jonah's prophecy that Nineveh would be overthrown in 40 days did not come to pass after the people repented, yet he was not punished as a false prophet, which seems contrary to Deuteronomy 18:20's warning of death.
Jonah 3:4: And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 22:22
The LORD authorizes a lying spirit to entice King Ahab, suggesting that not all false prophecies have straightforward implications, contrasting with the straightforward admonition in Deuteronomy 18:20.
1 Kings 22:22: And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
Contradiction with Acts 2:17-18
This passage speaks of God pouring out His spirit on all people to prophesy, which could lead to a messy arena of prophecy where discerning the true from the false might not align neatly with Deuteronomy 18:20's penalty.
Acts 2:17-18: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Contradiction with Numbers 23:19
It states that God is not a man, that he should lie, which might imply that any false prophecy (not coming from God) contradicts God's nature and automatically self-identifies as false, contrasting with Deuteronomy 18:20's need for explicit judgment.
Numbers 23:19: God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Contradiction with Ezekiel 14:9
Here, God speaks of deceiving a prophet himself, which seems contradictory to the prohibitive stance against false prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:20.
Ezekiel 14:9: And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
Paradox #1
A potential issue with Deuteronomy 18:20 could be the challenge of determining who is a true prophet, as the verse warns against false prophets who speak in God's name without His command. This opens up difficulties in interpretation and application, as it's not always clear who genuinely represents God's word and who doesn't, leading to potential conflicts or inconsistencies in understanding prophetic authority.
Paradox #2
Deuteronomy 18:20 might seem to conflict with the idea of forgiveness and second chances taught in other parts of the Bible. While Deuteronomy 18:20 talks about severe consequences for false prophets, other passages emphasize God's mercy and the possibility of repentance and forgiveness. This could create a tension between justice and mercy.
Paradox #3
The potential contradiction lies in the consequences for false prophets as stated in Deuteronomy 18:20 versus the recorded tolerance or mixed responses to false prophets and false teachings in other parts of the Bible. In some instances, we see false prophets being tolerated or not receiving the prescribed punishment, suggesting inconsistency in application. Additionally, identifying false prophets and distinguishing their words from true prophets can be challenging, which adds complexity to the enforcement of this guideline.
Paradox #4
Deuteronomy 18:20 could have a moral conflict because it says false prophets should be punished severely. This might clash with ideas about forgiveness, freedom of speech, or justice in modern times, where the punishment for speaking falsely might seem too harsh or unjust.