Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:20
This verse states that the child shall not bear the iniquity of the parent, which contradicts Exodus 13:15, where God punishes the firstborn of Egypt due to Pharaoh's stubbornness.
Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
Paradox #1
Exodus 13:15 might be seen as a contradiction or conflict in the way it portrays God's actions regarding the firstborn in Egypt. Some people might find it inconsistent with the idea of a loving and merciful God, questioning how such an act aligns with other attributes of God described in different parts of the Bible.
Paradox #2
Exodus 13:15 mentions that the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt. A potential contradiction or inconsistency could arise when comparing this event with historical and archaeological records from ancient Egypt. Some scholars and historians argue that there is a lack of direct evidence in Egyptian records for such a widespread event that affected all firstborns. This absence of corroborating evidence in Egyptian history may lead to questions about the historical accuracy of the biblical account.
Paradox #3
Exodus 13:15 deals with the practice of sacrificing the firstborn as an act of faith and obedience to God. The contradiction some might find here is the tension between valuing human and animal life and the act of sacrificing or dedicating a firstborn, which involves taking life or dedicating it in a ritualistic practice. This can be seen as inconsistent with the broader moral teaching against killing or harming others.