Contradiction with Psalm 145:9
This verse states that the Lord is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His works, which contradicts the act of smiting the Egyptian firstborns in Exodus 12:29.
Psalm 145:9: The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:32
Here, it is declared that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone, which contrasts with the deaths of the firstborns in Exodus 12:29.
Ezekiel 18:32: For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn [yourselves], and live ye. [yourselves: or, others]
Contradiction with 1 John 4:8
This verse emphasizes that God is love, which appears contrary to the catastrophic event described in Exodus 12:29.
1 John 4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Contradiction with Lamentations 3:33
This passage mentions that God does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men, conflicting with the affliction executed in Exodus 12:29.
Lamentations 3:33: For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. [willingly: Heb. from his heart]
Paradox #1
Some people point out a contradiction in how God is described in the Bible. In Exodus, God is often seen as merciful and loving, yet this verse depicts a moment of severe judgment and punishment affecting innocent children, which may seem at odds with the idea of a benevolent and just God. This can create tension for those trying to reconcile God's love with actions that seem harsh or unfair.
Paradox #2
Some people see a doctrinal issue in the fact that this verse describes God inflicting a plague that results in death, which might seem to contradict the idea of a loving and merciful God. This can create tension between the concepts of divine justice and divine mercy.
Paradox #3
A potential contradiction with Exodus 12:29 could involve the lack of Egyptian historical records mentioning a widespread event like the death of firstborns across Egypt. Such a significant event might be expected to appear in their historical inscriptions or records, but there are no known Egyptian documents that corroborate this biblical account.
Paradox #4
The main contradiction with the event described in Exodus 12:29 could be its supernatural elements. The described event involves a mass death occurring simultaneously and selectively, which lacks a natural scientific explanation. Science typically looks for explanations based on natural laws, and such an occurrence would defy known biological or medical principles. Hence, the difficulty arises from explaining this event using scientific reasoning or evidence.
Paradox #5
Exodus 12:29 describes a moment where many firstborn children in Egypt die as part of a divine act. The moral conflict here could be the idea of innocent children suffering because of the actions or decisions of others, which seems inconsistent with a just and loving deity. This raises questions about collective punishment and the suffering of innocents.