Contradiction with 1 John 1:9
This verse emphasizes forgiveness upon confession, whereas Numbers 20:12 records God's decision to punish Moses and Aaron despite any repentance, by not allowing them to enter the Promised Land.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Contradiction with Exodus 34:6
This verse highlights God's merciful and forgiving nature, which seems to contradict the seemingly harsh punishment in Numbers 20:12.
Exodus 34:6: And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Contradiction with Psalm 103:8-10
These verses speak of God's mercy and grace, contrasting with the strict consequence given to Moses and Aaron in Numbers 20:12.
Psalm 103:8-10: The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. [plentious...: Heb. great in mercy]
Paradox #1
Numbers 20:12 could raise questions about consistency regarding divine punishment. Moses, who has been a faithful leader, is punished severely for a single mistake by being denied entry into the Promised Land. Some could see this as inconsistent with the merciful nature of God shown elsewhere in the Bible, where repentance and forgiveness are often emphasized.
Paradox #2
The contradiction or conflict often discussed regarding Numbers 20:12 is about why Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. In this verse, God denies Moses entry because he didn't trust or obey God fully when he struck the rock to bring forth water instead of speaking to it as instructed. This seems inconsistent with other parts of the Bible where Moses is depicted as a faithful servant. Some people find it difficult to reconcile this severe consequence with what they see as a relatively minor mistake.
Paradox #3
The contradiction in this verse could be seen as the harshness of the punishment given to Moses and Aaron for what seems like a minor mistake. They were denied entrance to the Promised Land for not following God's instructions precisely, which might feel overly severe. This can seem inconsistent with the idea of a forgiving and understanding deity.