Contradiction with 1 Samuel 15:22
God prefers obedience to sacrifices, contradicting the idea of offering extravagant sacrifices for favor.
1 Samuel 15:22: And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.
Contradiction with Proverbs 21:3
Doing justice and judgment is preferred by the Lord over sacrifice, conflicting with the notion of valuable offerings.
Proverbs 21:3: To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Contradiction with Psalm 51:16
God does not delight in sacrifice, opposing the implication of Micah 6:7 about burnt offerings.
Psalm 51:16: For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering. [else...: or, that I should]
Contradiction with Isaiah 1:11
God questions the value of numerous sacrifices, in tension with Micah 6:7 that suggests such offerings could be adequate.
Isaiah 1:11: To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. [he goats: Heb. great he goats]
Contradiction with Hosea 6:6
God desires mercy, not sacrifice, which contrasts with the focus on sacrifices in Micah 6:7.
Hosea 6:6: For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Paradox #1
One possible contradiction with Micah 6:7 could be the tension between the idea of sacrificing children or extreme offerings to please God, and the broader biblical teaching that God values justice, mercy, and humility over ritual sacrifices. While this verse might question excessive sacrifices, other parts of the Bible emphasize God's desire for moral and ethical living rather than ritualistic practices. This raises questions about the role and nature of sacrifice in a relationship with God.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or conflict in Micah 6:7 could be related to the practices of sacrifice in ancient Israelite religion. Some interpretations suggest a tension between the ritual sacrifices described in parts of the Hebrew Bible and the prophetic calls for justice and mercy over sacrifice. There might be an inconsistency if the verse is seen as critiquing or questioning the effectiveness of traditional sacrifices compared to ethical living and justice, which prophets like Micah emphasized.
Paradox #3
Micah 6:7 raises questions about the value of sacrifices in religious practices versus the importance of a sincere heart and true justice. The possible contradiction could be that external rituals, like offerings, are being questioned on whether they can really please God if not accompanied by genuine moral actions. This can be seen as a conflict between traditional religious practices and the deeper ethical demands of faith.