Contradiction with Proverbs 3:5
This verse advises trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not relying on your own understanding, whereas Isaiah 31:1 warns against relying on human strength rather than on God.
Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:5
Jeremiah 17:5 states that cursed is the one who trusts in man, which contradicts the reliance on human power or alliances criticized in Isaiah 31:1.
Jeremiah 17:5: Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Contradiction with Psalm 20:7
This verse states that some trust in chariots and horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord, directly opposing the reliance on military power criticized in Isaiah 31:1.
Psalm 20:7: Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 16:7-9
This passage refers to King Asa relying on a foreign king rather than God, echoing Isaiah 31:1's warning against reliance on Egypt or human help.
2 Chronicles 16:7-9: And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
Contradiction with Hosea 14:3
This verse declares that Assyria cannot save us, nor can horses, contradicting the trust in Egypt's powerful army mentioned in Isaiah 31:1.
Hosea 14:3: Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
Contradiction with Isaiah 30:1-3
This passage criticizes forming alliances with Egypt and relying on their strength, which directly ties into the warning against such reliance in Isaiah 31:1.
Isaiah 30:1-3: Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in Isaiah 31:1 could be that the verse warns against relying on human strength and alliances instead of trusting God. Some might see this as inconsistent if other parts of the Bible suggest the importance of using wisdom and resources, including forming alliances. The conflict arises in balancing faith in God with practical actions.
Paradox #2
The contradiction surrounding this verse primarily revolves around the reliance on Egypt for military assistance and the use of horses and chariots for defense. Historically, some Israelites sought Egyptian support against threats, which contradicted the idea of trusting solely in God's protection. This denotes a conflict between the perceived need for earthly alliances and the spiritual directive to trust in divine guidance.
Paradox #3
The moral conflict in Isaiah 31:1 could be seen as a tension between human reliance and divine dependence. The verse warns against seeking help from powerful allies or relying on human strength instead of trusting in God. This presents a conflict for those who believe in using available resources, skills, and alliances for solving problems, as this approach could be seen as contradicting the call to put trust solely in divine help. It highlights the dilemma of balancing practical actions with spiritual faith.