Contradiction with Deuteronomy 10:15
This verse expresses that God's love and choice were for the fathers, emphasizing heritage, whereas Deuteronomy 7:7 suggests His choice was not based on the people's greatness.
Deuteronomy 10:15: Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, [even] you above all people, as [it is] this day.
Contradiction with Romans 3:29
This verse indicates that God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles, suggesting inclusivity, contradicting Deuteronomy 7:7 which implies exclusivity in God's choice of Israel.
Romans 3:29: [Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Contradiction with Acts 10:34-35
This verse suggests that God does not show favoritism but accepts people from every nation, conflicting with the specific selection of Israel mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:7.
Acts 10:34-35: Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Contradiction with 1 Samuel 16:7
This verse underscores that God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance, contrasting the idea of selection based on the people's number or size in Deuteronomy 7:7.
1 Samuel 16:7: But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. [outward...: Heb. eyes]
Contradiction with Galatians 3:28
This verse states there is no distinction in Christ Jesus, which contradicts the preferential selection implied in Deuteronomy 7:7.
Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Paradox #1
The verse in question emphasizes that God's choice of the Israelites was not based on their greatness in number, suggesting that God's love and selection are not dependent on human criteria. A potential theological tension could arise when compared to other passages where God appears to reward those who are numerous or powerful, or when His actions seem to favor human achievements. This could lead to questions about the consistency of divine criteria for favor.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in Deuteronomy 7:7 could be related to the idea that the Israelites were chosen not because of their numbers, but out of God's love and promise. This might seem inconsistent with other parts of the Bible where the number of descendants is emphasized as evidence of God's blessing and favor, like God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. This could appear contradictory if one part highlights numbers as significant and another downplays their importance.
Paradox #3
Deuteronomy 7:7 could present a contradiction or conflict in that it speaks about being chosen not because of numbers, which can be seen as emphasizing special preference or favoritism. This might conflict with ideas of equality or fairness, where all groups or individuals are valued equally regardless of any specific criteria.