Contradiction with Leviticus 19:18
"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." - This verse promotes love and non-vengeance, contrasting with the violent imagery in Micah 3:3.
Leviticus 19:18: Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.
Contradiction with 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;" - Encourages love and kindness to enemies, opposing the brutality depicted in Micah 3:3.
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;
Contradiction with Romans 12:19
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." - Contrasts with the personal vengeance and brutality in Micah 3:3 by advocating for leaving vengeance to God.
Romans 12:19: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 18:32
"For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." - God expresses no pleasure in death, contradicting the destructive actions in Micah 3:3.
Ezekiel 18:32: For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn [yourselves], and live ye. [yourselves: or, others]
Contradiction with Proverbs 25:21-22
"If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee." - Instructs kindness to enemies, clashing with the harm in Micah 3:3.
Proverbs 25:21-22: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Paradox #1
Micah 3:3 has been criticized for its graphic imagery, which describes leaders as figuratively harming their people for personal gain. This might seem inconsistent with the image of caring and protective leadership commonly advocated in other parts of religious and historical texts. Such a harsh depiction can be seen as conflicting with the idea of leaders acting for the community's well-being.
Paradox #2
Micah 3:3 talks about leaders mistreating people cruelly. The moral conflict might be that leaders are supposed to protect and guide their people, but instead, they are harming them. This goes against the responsibility and trust that leaders should uphold, showing a contradiction between their role and their actions.