Contradiction with Leviticus 25:44-46
These verses allow the Israelites to buy foreign slaves and inherit them as property, contrasting with the compassion for strangers advocated in Exodus 23:9.
Leviticus 25:44-46: Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, [shall be] of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 20:16-17
These verses command the Israelites to destroy the peoples of certain cities, which contradicts the empathy for strangers emphasized in Exodus 23:9.
Deuteronomy 20:16-17: But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 23:3-6
These verses prohibit certain foreign nations from entering the assembly of the Lord, conflicting with the kindness towards strangers advised in Exodus 23:9.
Deuteronomy 23:3-6: An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 7:1-2
This passage instructs the Israelites to completely destroy other nations, contrasting with the idea of not oppressing a stranger in Exodus 23:9.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2: When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
Contradiction with Ezra 9:12
Jews are advised not to seek the peace or prosperity of certain foreign peoples, which opposes the message of empathy towards strangers in Exodus 23:9.
Ezra 9:12: Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave [it] for an inheritance to your children for ever.
Paradox #1
Exodus 23:9 advises being kind to strangers or foreigners, as the Israelites were once strangers in Egypt. A potential conflict arises when comparing this guidance to parts of the Old Testament where the Israelites are commanded to conquer and destroy other nations. This can be seen as inconsistent in terms of treatment toward those considered outsiders.
Paradox #2
Exodus 23:9 emphasizes kindness to strangers, reminding believers not to oppress them because they were once strangers in Egypt. A potential inconsistency arises when considering other parts of the Old Testament that depict hostile actions or attitudes towards certain foreign nations or peoples, which may seem at odds with the call for empathy and kindness to outsiders.
Paradox #3
The contradiction or inconsistency lies in the historical context where the Israelites themselves later had slaves and servants, even though the verse encourages empathy towards foreigners and those in a similar oppressed situation. This practice could be seen as conflicting with the verse’s call for compassion based on their own experiences of suffering.
Paradox #4
Exodus 23:9 talks about not oppressing foreigners because the Israelites were once foreigners in Egypt. The contradiction might be that, despite this directive, there are various instances in the Bible where the Israelites engage in actions like conquering and displacing other groups. This could be seen as inconsistent with the call to empathy and fair treatment of foreigners.