Contradiction with Exodus 20:24
This verse commands the construction of altars using earth and uncut stones, contrasting the destruction of altars in Judges 6:25.
Exodus 20:24: An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 18:30
This verse records Elijah repairing an altar of the Lord, while Judges 6:25 describes tearing down an altar of Baal.
1 Kings 18:30: And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD [that was] broken down.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 18:4
This verse relates to the destruction of high places and sacred stones, similar to Gideon's actions in Judges 6:25 yet depicted as a positive action.
2 Kings 18:4: He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. [images: Heb. statues] [Nehushtan: that is, A piece of brass]
Contradiction with Jeremiah 32:35
This verse condemns the building of high places to Baal, contrasting the command in Judges 6:25 to destroy the altar of Baal.
Jeremiah 32:35: And they built the high places of Baal, which [are] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
Contradiction with Leviticus 26:1
This verse warns against making idols or graven images, whereas Judges 6:25 commands the destruction of such an altar.
Leviticus 26:1: Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God. [standing...: or, pillar] [image of...: or, figured stone: Heb. a stone of picture]
Paradox #1
The contradiction or conflict in this context could be related to the instruction to destroy a religious altar, which might clash with the scientific view that encourages understanding and tolerance of different cultural practices. Science doesn’t engage with deities or spiritual mandates, focusing instead on observable, empirical phenomena. Such narrative instructions, therefore, do not align with scientific inquiry or methodology, as they derive authority from divine origin rather than evidence-based conclusions.Despite this, science typically does not engage directly with religious instructions or narratives unless they make empirical claims about the natural world. Therefore, any perceived contradiction is more about differing worldviews than direct inconsistency.
Paradox #2
The moral conflict in Judges 6:25 could be seen as involving obedience to divine commands that conflict with existing cultural or familial practices. In this situation, Gideon is instructed to destroy his family's altar to a pagan god, which might be seen as disrespectful to his family or his community's traditions. This conflict highlights the tension between following divine instructions and respecting human relationships or cultural norms.