Contradiction with Leviticus 25:3-4
Exodus 23:11 commands letting the land rest in the seventh year, but Leviticus 25:3-4 provides a similar instruction, offering no direct contradiction but reinforcing the same principle.
Leviticus 25:3-4: Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;
Paradox #1
Exodus 23:11 talks about letting the land rest every seventh year, which is different from the idea of continuous hard work that some parts of the Bible emphasize. This could seem inconsistent with the message that people should work diligently.
Paradox #2
Exodus 23:11 talks about letting the land rest every seventh year and allowing the poor and wild animals to eat what grows. A potential contradiction is with verses that emphasize continuous hard work or cultivating land without a specific rest period, possibly conflicting with this cycle of rest. However, it's often understood within the context of agricultural and societal practices of the time.
Paradox #3
Exodus 23:11 talks about letting the land rest every seventh year. The potential contradiction or conflict could be how practical it was for ancient societies to follow this command, given their dependence on continuous agriculture for survival. Leaving fields unworked for a year might have been difficult to observe consistently.
Paradox #4
Exodus 23:11 talks about letting the land rest every seventh year and allowing the poor and wild animals to eat from it. A potential contradiction here could arise when considering modern agricultural practices and the need for consistent food production. On one hand, following this command allows for ecological sustainability and provides for the needy and animals. On the other hand, it could conflict with the necessity of maximizing food production to support growing human populations continuously. This creates a tension between environmental stewardship and economic or social demands.