Contradiction with Exodus 34:6-7
This verse describes God's mercy and forgiveness, while Ezekiel 20:21 mentions the disobedience of the children as a reason for God's disdain.
Exodus 34:6-7: And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Contradiction with Jeremiah 31:34
This verse promises forgiveness and forgetting sins, which contrasts with Ezekiel 20:21's emphasis on rebellion and noncompliance by the children.
Jeremiah 31:34: And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Contradiction with Lamentations 3:22-23
These verses highlight God's unfailing compassion and mercy, contrary to the punishment due to Israel's disobedience noted in Ezekiel 20:21.
Lamentations 3:22-23: [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Contradiction with Isaiah 1:18
This verse invites reasoning together and offers cleansing from sin, which contrasts with the ongoing disobedience and rejection in Ezekiel 20:21.
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.
Contradiction with Psalm 103:10-11
These verses speak of God's mercy and not treating us as our sins deserve, which contrasts with the punishment due to rebellion described in Ezekiel 20:21.
Psalm 103:10-11: He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Contradiction with Micah 7:18-19
Here, the focus is on God's forgiveness and delighting in mercy, whereas Ezekiel 20:21 underscores the consequences of Israel's rebellion.
Micah 7:18-19: Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.
Contradiction with Isaiah 55:7
This verse encourages the wicked to turn to God for mercy and pardon, contrasting with the continued disobedience and contempt described in Ezekiel 20:21.
Isaiah 55:7: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. [the unrighteous...: Heb. the man of iniquity] [abundantly...: Heb. multiply to pardon]
Paradox #1
Ezekiel 20:21 might seem contradictory because it talks about the Israelites not following God's laws, yet in other parts of the Bible, like the Psalms or the New Testament, it says that God's laws are good and just. So, there's tension between recognizing the law's value and the people's failure to follow it.
Paradox #2
Ezekiel 20:21 deals with themes of obedience and punishment. A contradiction or conflict might arise if one considers the idea that a merciful and forgiving God also enacts strict punishment on people who disobey. Some might find it inconsistent that punishment is emphasized despite the possibility of forgiveness and redemption.