Contradiction with Deuteronomy 4:31
Deuteronomy 4:31 states that God is a merciful God who will not forsake His people, contradicting Ezra 5:12 where God's wrath results in the Israelites being given into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
Deuteronomy 4:31: (For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11 expresses God's plans for peace and hope for the future, contrasting with Ezra 5:12 where God's anger led to the destruction and exile of the people.
Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. [expected...: Heb. end and expectation]
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chronicles 7:14 offers forgiveness and healing to those who humble themselves, whereas Ezra 5:12 acknowledges punishment and exile despite past repentant actions.
2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [which...: Heb. upon whom my name is called]
Contradiction with Exodus 34:6
Exodus 34:6 describes the Lord as compassionate and gracious, which seems inconsistent with the actions of God giving Israel over to Babylon as mentioned in Ezra 5:12.
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 103:8
Psalm 103:8 says the Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love, opposing the depiction of God’s immediate wrath in Ezra 5:12 leading to the exile.
Psalm 103:8: The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. [plentious...: Heb. great in mercy]
Contradiction with Lamentations 3:22-23
Lamentations 3:22-23 focuses on God’s unfailing compassion and mercy, which contrasts with the divine anger and punishment described in Ezra 5:12.
Lamentations 3:22-23: [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Paradox #1
Ezra 5:12 discusses the destruction of the temple as a consequence of wrong actions or disobedience. A contradiction might be seen in the idea of a just and loving deity allowing destruction and suffering as a form of punishment, raising questions about the balance between justice, love, and forgiveness.