Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:23
Explains that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but prefers repentance, contradicting the imminent destruction in Jonah 3:4.
Ezekiel 18:23: Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Contradiction with 2 Peter 3:9
States that God is patient and not willing that any should perish, which contrasts with Jonah's straightforward prophetic declaration of impending doom.
2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 18:7-8
Suggests that if a nation repents, God will relent from sending disaster, countering Jonah's initial message of certain destruction.
Jeremiah 18:7-8: [At what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy [it];
Contradiction with Exodus 34:6-7
Describes God as merciful, gracious, and forgiving, which conflicts with the unyielding proclamation of destruction in Jonah 3:4.
Exodus 34:6-7: 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 1 John 4:8
Declares that God is love, inconsistent with the notion of unchanging judgment found in Jonah 3:4.
1 John 4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Paradox #1
The potential contradiction in Jonah 3:4 could be about God's nature concerning prophecy and mercy. The verse involves Jonah announcing the destruction of Nineveh in 40 days. However, when the people of Nineveh repent, God shows mercy and does not destroy the city. This could seem contradictory if one sees prophecy as absolute and unchangeable, but it highlights the concept of conditional prophecy, where the outcome changes based on people's actions and God's willingness to forgive.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or inconsistency in Jonah 3:4 could relate to the idea of God's mercy versus His judgment. Jonah announces the impending destruction of Nineveh, but later, God spares the city when they repent. This can seem inconsistent because it shows a tension between divine justice (punishing wrongdoing) and divine mercy (forgiving those who repent). Some might struggle to understand how these two aspects coexist in God's character.
Paradox #3
One possible contradiction is that Jonah proclaims Nineveh will be overturned in forty days, but later in the story, God spares the city after its people repent. This could be seen as inconsistent because the prophecy did not come true as initially stated.
Paradox #4
One contradiction or conflict in Jonah 3:4 might be the idea of divine forgiveness versus the threat of destruction. Jonah warns the city of Nineveh of its impending doom, yet later, when the city repents, God chooses to spare it. This raises questions about justice and punishment, as well as the consistency of divine threats and the possibility of grace. It might seem inconsistent to threaten destruction and then withhold it upon repentance, raising questions about the balance between justice and mercy.