Reflections on Forgetting in the Bible
Forgetting is a human condition that is often addressed in both philosophical and religious texts. In the Bible, the concept of forgetting appears in various forms and contexts. This article explores how the Bible discusses the act of forgetting, ranging from the forgetting of God to the act of forgetting oneself.
1. Forgetting God
Throughout the Bible, there are several instances where the act of forgetting God is explicitly mentioned. This is often presented as a negative and dangerous action, as it leads to spiritual and moral decline.
Deuteronomy 8:19
“And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.”
This verse from Deuteronomy 8:19 provides a clear warning about the dire consequences of forgetting God. It emphasizes the importance of remembering and serving God, and the serious repercussions that come with the substitution of other gods in one's life.
Job 8:11-13
“Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh Can reeds flourish where there is no water While yet in flower and not cut down they wither before any other plant. Such are the paths of all who forget God the hope of the godless shall perish.”
Job 8:11-13 uses a natural analogy, suggesting that just as plants need water to thrive, human beings need God to continue living a meaningful and fruitful life. The hope of the godless, in this context, will perish if one forgets God.
Psalm 9:17
“The wicked shall return to Sheol all the nations that forget God.”
In Psalm 9:17, it is stated that those who forget God will return to Sheol. This implies a definitive and irreversible consequence of forgetfulness, marking it as a critical issue in the spiritual world.
Psalm 50:22
“Mark this then you who forget God lest I tear you apart and there be none to deliver!”
Here, God issues a stern warning to those who have forgotten him, emphasizing the severe punishments that await those who do so. The implication is that forgetting God leaves one vulnerable and without divine protection.
Psalm 106:19-22
“They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior who had done great things in Egypt wondrous works in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.”
This passage in Psalm 106:19-22 describes a people who forget their divine Savior, exchanging their loyalty to God for other forms of worship. The act of forgetting God is contrasted with the great deeds God has done for them, highlighting the foolishness and danger of such forgetfulness.
Jeremiah 2:32
“Can a virgin forget her ornaments or a bride her attire Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.”
Jeremiah 2:32 employs another analogy, suggesting that it is as difficult for a female to forget her jewelry as it is for the people to forget God. The prolonged nature of this forgetting is emphasized, indicating a deep-seated and long-standing forgetting of God's role in their lives.
2. God Forgetting People
Though less common in biblical literature, there are instances where the concept of God forgetting people is mentioned. These instances serve to illustrate the reciprocal relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing the importance of faith and action from the human side.
Psalm 13:1
“How long O Lord Will you forget me forever How long will you hide your face from me”
Psalm 13:1 expresses the human perspective on forgetting, as the psalmist questions God's apparent forgetfulness. This verse highlights the emotional and spiritual burden of abandonment, urging for divine attention and intervention.
Hosea 4:6
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because you have rejected knowledge I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God I also will forget your children.”
Hosea 4:6 emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding in maintaining a close relationship with God. It warns that if people reject knowledge, it will lead to a detachment or even a temporary forgetting from God, illustrated through the metaphor of a priestly relationship and the eventual forgetting of children.
3. Human Forgetting of Others
While the Bible often emphasizes the importance of remembering God, it also touches on the act of forgetting others. This can be seen as a broader notion of remembrance, encompassing familial and social relationships.
Psalm 45:10
“Hear O daughter and consider and incline your ear: forget your people and your fathers house.”
Psalm 45:10 provides a command to a daughter to forget her people and family, suggesting a context where remembering one’s family could be a distraction from a larger, divine purpose or mission.
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? No, though she may forget yet will I not forget you.”
Isaiah 49:15 uses a powerful metaphor, comparing a mother's natural instinct to nurture and love her child to the divine relationship. It implies that even if a mother forgets her child, God will not forget His people, emphasizing His unwavering commitment to humanity.
4. Forgetting as a Path to Self-Discovery
Not all forms of forgetting in the Bible are negative. In some instances, the act of forgetting oneself can lead to spiritual growth and self-awareness. This reflects a broader human tendency to seek redemption and forgiveness through self-denial and action.
Luke 9:23
“And he said to all ldquo;If anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.rdquo;
Luke 9:23 calls for self-denial as a means of following Christ. It suggests that to truly follow God, one must let go of personal desires and commitments, and take up the responsibilities of the faith.
James 1:23-25
“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law the law of liberty and perseveres being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts he will be blessed in his doing.”
James 1:23-25 emphasizes the importance of action over mere knowledge. It contrasts the person who hears without doing with the one who acts and perseveres, highlighting the transformative power of practical faith and deeds.