Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
Isaiah 45:1 implies God uses a non-Israelite king for His purposes, contradicting the exclusive worship commanded.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 17:15
Isaiah 45:1 shows God anointing a foreigner as a leader, conflicting with the command that only Israelites be appointed as kings.
Deuteronomy 17:15: Thou shalt in any wise set [him] king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: [one] from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which [is] not thy brother.
Contradiction with Psalm 147:19-20
Isaiah 45:1 suggests God reveals His will to a non-Israelite, opposing the idea that His statutes and judgments are revealed only to Israel.
Psalm 147:19-20: He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. [his word: Heb. his words]
Contradiction with Amos 3:2
Isaiah 45:1 indicates God working through someone outside of Israel, clashing with the notion that only Israel is known by God among all families of the earth.
Amos 3:2: You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. [punish: Heb. visit upon]
Contradiction with Matthew 15:24
Isaiah 45:1 highlights God's actions through Cyrus, a non-Israelite, which contradicts Jesus' statement about His initial mission focus being toward Israel only.
Matthew 15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Paradox #1
Isaiah 45:1 could be seen as contradictory or inconsistent because it mentions God anointing a non-Israelite, Cyrus, to fulfill his plans. This can seem unusual because, traditionally, anointing was reserved for Israelite kings or priests. Some people might question why God would choose a foreign leader instead of one of his own people for such a significant role.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in Isaiah 45:1 arises because it mentions Cyrus, a Persian king, as an anointed one chosen by God. This is notable because Cyrus was not an Israelite, and traditionally, the term "anointed" was reserved for Israelite kings and priests, leading to discussions about how and why a non-Israelite king was described this way in the biblical text.