Contradiction with Exodus 20:5
This verse states that God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, which contradicts Ezekiel 18:28 where personal accountability and turning away from sin leads to life.
Exodus 20:5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to 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 Deuteronomy 24:16
This verse commands that children shall not be punished for the sins of the parents, aligning more with Ezekiel 18:28 rather than contradicting it.
Deuteronomy 24:16: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 31:29-30
It says that everyone shall die for their own iniquity, potentially aligning rather than contradicting, similar to Ezekiel 18:28’s focus on individual responsibility.
Jeremiah 31:29-30: In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
Contradiction with Numbers 14:18
It mentions God punishing children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generation, conflicting with Ezekiel 18:28’s message of individual repentance leading to life.
Numbers 14:18: The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].
Contradiction with 2 Kings 14:6
States not to kill children for their fathers' sins, echoing themes of individual responsibility like Ezekiel 18:28, so it doesn’t directly contradict.
2 Kings 14:6: But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
Paradox #1
Ezekiel 18:28 suggests that someone who turns away from their wrongdoing will save their life. A potential conflict arises when considering the concept of salvation in the New Testament, particularly with the emphasis on faith in Jesus as the path to salvation. This could seem inconsistent because one part of the Bible emphasizes good deeds and repentance for salvation, while another emphasizes faith.