1. A stock argument for the composite authorship of the Pentateuch is doublets. Classified as alternate traditions or alternate legends.
I guess the theory behind this is that because each tradition had sacred pedigree, the redactors incorporated conflicting traditions into the Pentateuch. But does that make much sense even on its own grounds?
To begin with, don't critical scholars posit divergent theological stands and agendas in the Pentateuch? Competing schools of thought? So what would inhibit a rival editor from expuging a tradition contrary to the official version of his own sect? Why treat the competition as sacrosanct?
2. Also, even if we bracket the inspiration and historicity of the Pentateuch and treat it as just nationalistic patriotic literature, it's not like the exploits of Hercules, Perseus, or Theseus, where a bard collects all the legends of the hero, including alternate birth and death accounts. The OT isn't that individualistic. It's not centered on individuals. Although their lives are important in their own right, they are agents whom God uses to further his design for history. There's an overarching plot or unfolding promise and fulfillment scheme from one generation to the next. Prominent individuals play a role in making that happen, but the direction is linear rather than revolving around feats and foibles of an individual.
3. Is there a realistic explanation for the doublets? Here's a proposal. When something happens once, we rarely give it a second thought. Even if it's striking or unusual, it doesn't make a deep impression. This can happen with apparent answers to prayer or special providence. We think maybe that's the hand of God, but we also make allowance for the possibility that it was something which was going to happen anyway.
But if it happens twice, an uncanny parallel, that that really makes us sit up and take notice. That's not coincidental–that's providential! An arresting repetition, where implausibly similar things happen to us, is like a divine sign that God is working behind-the scenes. We discern the orchestration of events. Arranging things to happen in ways that wouldn't happen on their own.
Sometimes God gives his people loaded dice to play with. The results defy the odds. They keep throwing sixes.
I wonder how many Christians experience "doublets" in their lives. Things that happen more than once in ways that indicate someone is looking out for them.
