Contradiction with Numbers 11:23
This verse demonstrates God's reminder of His power, contrasting Moses’ action of striking the rock, which implies disbelief in God's spoken word.
Numbers 11:23: And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.
Contradiction with Exodus 17:6
Here, Moses strikes the rock as instructed by God, which seems to contradict Numbers 20:11 where his striking of the rock is considered disobedient.
Exodus 17:6: Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 34:4
God shows Moses the Promised Land but tells him he will not enter it, a consequence directly linked to his action in Numbers 20:11.
Deuteronomy 34:4: And the LORD said unto him, This [is] the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see [it] with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.
Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 10:4
This verse speaks of the rock as a symbol of Christ, suggesting a spiritual meaning contrary to the literal action taken by Moses in Numbers 20:11.
1 Corinthians 10:4: And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [followed...: or, went with them]
Contradiction with Hebrews 3:12
Warns against an unbelieving heart, contradicting Moses’ action as it implies a lack of faith.
Hebrews 3:12: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Paradox #1
Numbers 20:11 might present a doctrinal conflict regarding obedience and faith. In an earlier part of the Bible, Moses was instructed to speak to a rock to bring forth water, but instead, he struck it with his staff. This action resulted in Moses not fully following God's specific command, hence raising questions about obedience and the consequences of not adhering to divine instructions precisely. This incident emphasizes the importance of faith and strict obedience, potentially conflicting with views that allow for human error or interpretation.
Paradox #2
The contradiction related to this verse involves a comparison with another biblical account in Exodus 17:6. In Numbers 20:11, Moses strikes a rock to bring forth water, while in Exodus 17:6, he is also instructed to strike a rock, but it occurs in a different location and under different circumstances. Some people see this as inconsistent because it seems like a similar miracle happens in two different ways, raising questions about the accuracy or consistency of the narrative.
Paradox #3
One potential contradiction in this scenario could be the issue of obedience versus outcomes. Moses disobeyed God's specific command by striking the rock instead of speaking to it, yet water still came out, providing for the people's needs. This raises questions about whether the means (following God's instructions) are as important as the ends (providing water), or whether good outcomes can justify actions that don't follow directives. This situation might present a conflict between adhering strictly to rules versus achieving beneficial results.