Isaiah 65:3 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the prophet Isaiah, God is upset with people who make Him angry all the time by doing wrong things right in front of Him, like pretending to worship Him in wrong ways and places. God wants them to know that these actions hurt Him and are not what He wants.

Contradiction with Exodus 20:5

This verse commands that God is a jealous God who visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, while Isaiah 65:3 speaks of God's patience with provocations.

Exodus 20:5: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

Contradiction with Psalm 145:8

States God is slow to anger, which seems contrary to the idea of continually provoking God to anger as mentioned in Isaiah 65:3.

Psalm 145:8: The LORD [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. [of great...: Heb. great in mercy]

Contradiction with Isaiah 30:18

Describes God as waiting to be gracious, whereas Isaiah 65:3 depicts Him being provoked to anger continually.

Isaiah 30:18: And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD [is] a God of judgment: blessed [are] all they that wait for him.

Contradiction with Lamentations 3:22

Highlights the unfailing compassions of the Lord, contrasting with the image of ongoing provocation in Isaiah 65:3.

Lamentations 3:22: [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

Contradiction with Matthew 5:44

Encourages loving enemies, seemingly contradicting with God being provoked to anger against those who provoke Him as in Isaiah 65:3.

Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Paradox #1