Contradiction with Matthew 6:34
This verse encourages not to worry about the future, whereas Jonah 4:11 highlights God's concern for the people and future of Nineveh.
Matthew 6:34: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.
Contradiction with Proverbs 12:10
This verse suggests caring for animals, implicitly questioning why God would want to destroy Nineveh, which contradicts God's compassion in Jonah 4:11.
Proverbs 12:10: A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel. [tender...: or, bowels]
Contradiction with Exodus 34:6-7
Describes God as merciful and forgiving, contrasting with the implied destruction that Jonah wished upon Nineveh.
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 Ezekiel 33:11
God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and desires repentance, aligning with Jonah 4:11 but contradicts Jonah’s desire for Nineveh's destruction.
Ezekiel 33:11: Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Contradiction with Luke 9:54-56
Jesus rebukes his disciples for wanting to call down fire from heaven, similar to Jonah's anger about Nineveh's preservation.
Luke 9:54-56: And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Contradiction with John 3:16-17
Highlights God's love for the world, opposing Jonah’s perspective of who deserves mercy.
John 3:16-17: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Contradiction with 2 Peter 3:9
Emphasizes God's patience and desire for repentance, contradicting Jonah’s impatience with Nineveh's salvation.
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.
Paradox #1
The verse emphasizes God's compassion and concern for all creation, including non-human entities like animals. A potential theological conflict might arise with interpretations that focus solely on human-centered salvation, as this verse could raise questions about the scope of God's care and the value of non-human life. Some might see a contradiction between this broader care and passages that emphasize human-centered narratives.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in Jonah 4:11 could be seen as the tension between divine compassion and human desire for justice or punishment. This verse highlights God's mercy towards the city despite its wrongdoing, which might conflict with human feelings of wanting to see wrongdoers punished. This can be seen as inconsistent with the idea that justice requires punishment, showcasing a potential conflict between forgiveness and retribution.