Contradiction with Job 1:10
This verse suggests protection and prosperity for Job's possessions, implying consistent divine shelter rather than selective sparing, which contrasts with Exodus 9:4 where only certain livestock are spared.
Job 1:10: Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. [substance: or, cattle]
Contradiction with Matthew 5:45
This verse emphasizes that God makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good, suggesting impartiality in divine treatment, unlike Exodus 9:4 which specifies protection only for the Israelites.
Matthew 5:45: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 9:2
This verse states that the same events happen to all, which contradicts the selective sparing of Israelite livestock in Exodus 9:4.
Ecclesiastes 9:2: All [things come] alike to all: [there is] one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as [is] the good, so [is] the sinner; [and] he that sweareth, as [he] that feareth an oath.
Contradiction with Romans 2:11
This verse states that there is no respect of persons with God, contrasting with Exodus 9:4 which shows partiality by protecting only Israel's livestock.
Romans 2:11: For there is no respect of persons with God.
Contradiction with Acts 10:34-35
This verse indicates that God shows no partiality but accepts people from every nation, conflicting with the selective divine action seen in Exodus 9:4.
Acts 10:34-35: Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Paradox #1
The verse suggests that God makes a distinction between the animals of the Israelites and Egyptians, protecting one group's animals while allowing the other's to be harmed. A potential contradiction could be the idea of God showing favoritism, as other parts of the Bible emphasize God's impartiality and fairness. This could be seen as inconsistent with the concept of God loving all people equally.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in Exodus 9:4 could stem from the claim that a specific group of animals (those belonging to the Israelites) would be unaffected by a widespread disease affecting similar animals in Egypt. In natural circumstances, infectious diseases do not selectively affect animals based on ownership or nationality; they spread based on biological and environmental factors. Therefore, the idea that some animals are divinely protected from a disease without any physical explanation may conflict with scientific understandings of disease transmission and epidemiology.
Paradox #3
Exodus 9:4 involves God sparing the livestock of the Israelites while causing the livestock of the Egyptians to suffer. A possible contradiction or conflict here could be the question of fairness or justice. Some might wonder why innocent animals belonging to the Egyptians would suffer due to the decisions of their human leaders, and why those belonging to the Israelites were not affected, raising questions about divine justice.