Contradiction with Exodus 34:7
This verse speaks of God "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children," suggesting generational punishment, which contrasts with the personal responsibility emphasized in Ezekiel 18:23.
Exodus 34:7: Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 5:9
It mentions God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation, contradictory to the principle in Ezekiel 18:23, which emphasizes God's desire for the wicked to turn and live.
Deuteronomy 5:9: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me,
Contradiction with Isaiah 45:7
This verse states that God creates both peace and evil, introducing a view on divine causality that complicates the notion of God's pleasure in repentance stated in Ezekiel 18:23.
Isaiah 45:7: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].
Contradiction with Psalm 5:5
It says that God hates all workers of iniquity, which seems at odds with the claim in Ezekiel 18:23 that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked.
Psalm 5:5: The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. [in...: Heb. before thine eyes]
Paradox #1
Ezekiel 18:23 raises questions about the consistency of God's justice and mercy. Some might see a potential inconsistency in how this verse emphasizes God's desire for the wicked to repent and live, yet other parts of the Bible describe dire consequences for wickedness and emphasize God's wrath or judgment on sinners. This could lead to a perceived conflict between God's justice (punishing wrongdoing) and mercy (forgiving and desiring repentance).
Paradox #2
Ezekiel 18:23 talks about God not taking pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather desiring that they turn from their ways and live. This might seem to contradict other parts of the Bible where God is portrayed as enacting or ordering punishment on the wicked. The perceived contradiction is between the ideas of divine justice and divine mercy.
Paradox #3
Ezekiel 18:23 emphasizes that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but prefers repentance and life. The potential contradiction arises because other parts of the Bible, like some of the Psalms and sections in Deuteronomy, mention God or His actions leading to the destruction of the wicked. This can appear inconsistent with the idea that God prefers repentance over punishment.
Paradox #4
The moral conflict could arise from the idea of justice versus mercy. On one hand, justice might demand punishment for wrongdoings. On the other hand, the verse emphasizes mercy and the desire for people to turn from their wrong ways instead of facing punishment. This can seem inconsistent to some because it suggests forgiving those who have done harm without them facing full consequences, which could conflict with a sense of justice.