Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:31
This verse encourages repentance and obtaining a new heart, suggesting people have the ability to change and turn towards God, contrasting with Hosea 5:4 which indicates they cannot change their actions to return to God.
Ezekiel 18:31: Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 7:14
This verse states that if people humble themselves and pray, seeking God’s face, He will hear and forgive them, implying they have the agency to change and return to God unlike what is indicated in Hosea 5:4.
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 James 4:8
This verse promises that if people draw near to God, He will draw near to them, suggesting a possibility for change and reconciliation, in contrast to Hosea 5:4 where returning to God appears futile.
James 4:8: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 24:7
This verse offers the assurance that God will give people a heart to know Him, suggesting hope for change and return, contradicting the inevitability of turning away implied in Hosea 5:4.
Jeremiah 24:7: And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
Contradiction with Isaiah 55:7
Encourages the wicked to forsake their ways and return to God for mercy, indicating a path to return which contrasts with the sentiment in Hosea 5:4 that they cannot return.
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]
Contradiction with Luke 15:7
Speaks about joy in heaven over a sinner repenting, implying there is always the potential for repentance and return to God, which seems opposed to the message in Hosea 5:4.
Luke 15:7: I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Paradox #1
Hosea 5:4 mentions that the Israelites' deeds do not permit them to return to God due to a spirit of promiscuity. Some might see a contradiction because other parts of the Bible emphasize God's readiness to forgive and accept those who repent. However, this verse highlights the idea that persistent sin can create a barrier to repentance, not that God is unwilling to forgive. Thus, it is more about the people's state preventing them from seeking reconciliation, rather than a contradiction in God's nature.
Paradox #2
Hosea 5:4 suggests that the people are not able to return to their God because their actions or spirit do not align with what is expected by God. A possible contradiction could arise from the idea that people are unable to change or return to God due to an internal state, which might conflict with the belief in free will and the ability to choose to repent or change at any time. This could be seen as inconsistent because it challenges the notion that individuals always have the capacity to seek forgiveness and transformation.