Contradiction with Exodus 20:3
This verse commands the worship of no other gods but the Lord, contradicting the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth.
Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 6:14
Warns against following other gods, indicating the exclusivity of devotion to the Lord, which is contradictory to the actions in Judges 2:13.
Deuteronomy 6:14: Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which [are] round about you;
Contradiction with Isaiah 45:5
Declares that there is no God besides the Lord, conflicting with the worship of other deities as mentioned in Judges 2:13.
Isaiah 45:5: I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Contradiction with Jeremiah 25:6
Instructs not to go after other gods to serve and worship them, opposing the idolatry in Judges 2:13.
Jeremiah 25:6: And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
Contradiction with Matthew 4:10
Jesus commands worship only to God, contradicting the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth.
Matthew 4:10: Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Paradox #1
The verse might raise a theological question about loyalty and devotion because it mentions the Israelites abandoning God to serve Baal and Ashtaroth. This can seem inconsistent with the commandment to worship only one God. It highlights a recurring issue in the Old Testament about the Israelites struggling to remain faithful, which might appear contradictory to their covenant with God.
Paradox #2
The issue here could relate to the historical consistency of Israelite worship practices. In Judges 2:13, it mentions the Israelites abandoning God to worship Baal and Ashtoreth. Historically, some scholars question the extent and nature of Canaanite religious influence on the Israelites and whether such consistent worship of these deities was common across different periods. There is debate about the archaeological and historical evidence of Baal worship and how it aligns with the biblical narrative.
Paradox #3
Judges 2:13 discusses the Israelites turning away from God to worship other gods, which can create a contradiction or conflict about faithfulness. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of loyalty to God, so this verse highlights the inconsistency when people abandon that commitment, leading to internal conflict between belief and action.