Biblical Contradiction: God is or is not found by those who seek him:

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Biblical Contradiction Explained: God is or is not found by those who seek him:

God is found by those who seek him:

“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Proverbs 8:17

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Matthew 7:8

God is not found by those who seek him:

“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,

Proverbs 1:28

Explanation:

It should first be noted that all of these passages are equating finding wisdom with finding God. Proverbs 8:17 and Matthew 7:8 are referring to those who freely seek God with no alternate agenda or selfish motive. In other words, those who seek God (for the sake of finding God and nothing else) will find God.

However, Proverbs 1:28 is referring to those who lived in sin willingly and freely until calamity struck. Only when their circumstances became harsh did they ever seek God. Given the change in this circumstance it becomes clear that they are seeking God (i.e. wisdom) for selfish reasons; to change their circumstances and avoid God’s wrath.