Contradiction with Galatians 3:28
This verse emphasizes unity in Christ, erasing divisions such as ethnicity or gender, whereas Ezra 10:10 emphasizes separation from foreign people due to intermarriage.
Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Contradiction with Ruth 1:16
This verse shows Ruth, a Moabite, committing to Israel and to God, which suggests acceptance rather than separation from foreigners.
Ruth 1:16: And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God: [Intreat...: or, Be not against me]
Contradiction with Acts 10:34-35
Highlights that God shows no favoritism and accepts people from every nation, contrasting with Ezra 10:10's stance on foreign marriages.
Acts 10:34-35: Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Contradiction with Romans 10:12
States there is no difference between Jew and Greek in God's eyes, contradicting the separation of foreign wives.
Romans 10:12: For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Contradiction with Matthew 28:19
The Great Commission instructs to make disciples of all nations, promoting inclusion rather than separation from foreigners.
Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [teach...: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations]
Paradox #1
The possible theological conflict with Ezra 10:10 could involve the issue of divorce. In this verse, divorce is commanded as a way to address intermarriage with foreigners, which might seem to contradict the general biblical teachings on marriage and the sanctity of maintaining marital vows. This can create tension with other parts of the Bible that emphasize love, commitment, and the faithfulness of marriage.
Paradox #2
Ezra 10:10 may be seen as conflicting with the New Testament teachings on marriage and divorce. In Ezra, there is a call for Israelites to send away foreign wives, which, in the context of that time, was about maintaining religious purity. However, in the New Testament, there are teachings that emphasize love, compassion, and more openness regarding marriage. Jesus, for instance, spoke against divorce except under specific circumstances. This could be seen as inconsistent with the strict measures in Ezra where the separation from foreign wives was commanded.
Paradox #3
Ezra 10:10 deals with a situation where people were asked to divorce their foreign wives to be faithful to their cultural and religious laws. The moral conflict here might lie in breaking family bonds and the potential hardship caused to women and children as a result of these divorces, conflicting with the broader biblical principles of love and commitment in marriage.