Contradiction with Jeremiah 18:8
In Jeremiah 18:8, God states that if a nation turns from its evil, He will relent and not bring disaster upon it, suggesting conditional judgment, unlike the unconditional judgment in Exodus 7:4.
Jeremiah 18:8: If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:21
Ezekiel 18:21 highlights that if a wicked person turns from their sins and keeps God's statutes, they will live, showing that repentance can alter outcomes, contrary to the predetermined actions in Exodus 7:4.
Ezekiel 18:21: But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Contradiction with Jonah 3:10
In Jonah 3:10, God spares Nineveh after they repent, which contrasts with the approach in Exodus 7:4 where God does not reverse His plans despite the potential for repentance.
Jonah 3:10: And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chronicles 7:14 states that if people humble themselves and turn from wickedness, God will heal their land, implying God's willingness to change course unlike the fixed intent in Exodus 7:4.
2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [which...: Heb. upon whom my name is called]
Contradiction with Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 1:18 promises forgiveness if people reason together and amend their ways, suggesting God's readiness to forgive, in contrast to the definitive actions in Exodus 7:4.
Isaiah 1:18: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Paradox #1
The contradiction in Exodus 7:4 lies in the idea of God hardening Pharaoh's heart and then punishing him and the Egyptians for their actions. It raises questions about free will and justice, as it seems unfair to hold someone accountable for actions that were influenced or determined by a higher power.