Contradiction with Exodus 34:6
While Ezekiel 8:18 emphasizes God's wrath and refusal to pity, Exodus 34:6 highlights God's mercy, grace, and loving nature.
Exodus 34:6: 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 Psalm 30:5
Ezekiel 8:18 demonstrates ongoing anger, yet Psalm 30:5 states that God's anger is temporary, and His favor is lasting.
Psalm 30:5: For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning. [his anger...: Heb. there is but a moment in his anger] [for a night: Heb. in the evening] [joy: Heb. singing]
Contradiction with Isaiah 54:7-8
In contrast to the unyielding anger in Ezekiel 8:18, Isaiah 54:7-8 promises a brief moment of wrath, followed by everlasting kindness and mercy.
Isaiah 54:7-8: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Contradiction with Micah 7:18
Whereas Ezekiel 8:18 describes God not sparing or listening, Micah 7:18 praises God for not retaining His anger forever and for delighting in mercy.
Micah 7:18: 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 Jonah 4:2
Ezekiel 8:18 focuses on divine retribution, but Jonah 4:2 highlights God as gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.
Jonah 4:2: And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
Contradiction with Nahum 1:3
Contrary to the immediacy of God's wrath in Ezekiel 8:18, Nahum 1:3 states that God is slow to anger and great in power.
Nahum 1:3: The LORD [is] slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit [the wicked]: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds [are] the dust of his feet.
Contradiction with James 5:11
Whereas Ezekiel 8:18 showcases God's direct anger, James 5:11 reveals the Lord as very compassionate and merciful.
James 5:11: Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in Ezekiel 8:18 could be the portrayal of God responding with fury and refusing to show mercy, which might seem inconsistent with other parts of the Bible where God is described as merciful and forgiving. This could create tension for readers who believe in a consistently compassionate and forgiving deity.
Paradox #2
Ezekiel 8:18 talks about God's anger and decision not to listen to prayers. A potential contradiction or conflict might be with the idea elsewhere in the Bible that God is always loving, forgiving, and ready to listen to those who seek Him. This verse shows a moment when God chooses not to show mercy, which seems at odds with His merciful nature highlighted in other passages.
Paradox #3
The potential moral conflict in that verse could be the idea of a compassionate and loving God taking a stance of not listening or having pity, which may seem inconsistent with other teachings about God's mercy. This could raise questions about justice and forgiveness.