In the biblical context, the concept of "forgetting God" is often associated with a departure from His commandments and a neglect of His covenant. The Law, given to the Israelites through Moses, serves as a constant reminder of God's expectations and the relationship He desires with His people. Forgetting God, therefore, is not merely a lapse in memory but a willful neglect of His statutes and a turning away from His presence.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently warns against forgetting God, particularly in the context of the Law. In Deuteronomy, Moses repeatedly admonishes the Israelites to remember the Lord and His commandments. Deuteronomy 8:11 states, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes which I am giving you this day." Here, forgetting God is directly linked to disobedience to His Law.

The consequences of forgetting God are severe. In Deuteronomy 8:19-20 , Moses warns, "If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD has destroyed before you, so you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God." This passage underscores the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to the Law is a sign of faithfulness.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets also address the issue of forgetting God, often in the context of Israel's unfaithfulness. Hosea 4:6 declares, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." Here, forgetting God is equated with a rejection of His Law, leading to destruction and divine rejection.

Jeremiah echoes this theme, lamenting the spiritual amnesia of the people. In Jeremiah 2:32 , the prophet asks, "Does a maiden forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding sash? Yet My people have forgotten Me for days without number." The imagery used by Jeremiah highlights the absurdity and tragedy of forgetting God, who is the source of life and blessing.

New Testament Reflections

While the New Testament does not focus on the Law in the same way as the Old Testament, the principle of remembering God and His commandments remains. Jesus, in His teachings, emphasizes the spirit of the Law and the importance of loving God wholeheartedly. In Matthew 22:37-40 , Jesus summarizes the Law: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

The apostle Paul also warns against spiritual forgetfulness. In Romans 1:21 , he describes the consequences of ignoring God: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." Forgetting God leads to a depraved mind and a life disconnected from His truth.

Practical Implications

Forgetting God in the context of the Law has practical implications for believers. It serves as a caution against complacency and a call to remain vigilant in one's spiritual walk. Regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and community worship are means by which believers can keep God's commandments at the forefront of their lives. The Law, while fulfilled in Christ, continues to guide believers in living a life that honors God and reflects His holiness.Psalm 119:153,176
Consider my affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget your law.
Nave's Topical Index

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
Nave's Topical Index

The Law of the Lord.
... Christ's law still hangs over our head, ready to ... ready enough to think only of God's
goodness, and ... humiliation in Judaea 1800 years ago, forgetting that during ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon x the law of.htm

Whether the Old Law Should have Induced Men to the Observance of ...
... of the Apostle (Phil.3:13, 15): "Forgetting the things ... goods, albeit in subordination
to God: whereas the ... was therefore fitting that the Old Law should conduct ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law should 2.htm

D. The Question as to Paying Tribute. Ch. 20:19-26
... take their stand for loyalty, for order, and for law. ... unto God the things that are
God's." The latter ... however, that there was danger of forgetting God, and our ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the question as to.htm

The Eleventh Breviate.
... with the gift; [1395] nor is God's love shed ... willing, believing, and praying, and
who, "forgetting those things ... 1397] For the reason why the law inculcates all ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter v 11 the eleventh breviate.htm

Matt. xxiii. 1-3.
... every one is worthy of blame in transgressing the law, but especially ... Since they
were continually forgetting God's benefits, He commanded His marvellous works ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxii matt xxiii 1-3.htm

On the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments of the Church
... God's law is called also the natural law. ... forget the solemn promise made at the altar
of God. ... returning from Holy Communion and immediately forgetting Our Lord ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 36 on the third.htm

Unless the Scriptures be Understood through God's Great Grace, God ...
... God demanded by other leaders, and by the giving of the law after the ... might not become
impious and godless by worshipping idols and forgetting God, as indeed ...
/.../chapter xcii unless the scriptures be.htm

The Trial at Caesarea
... would be to them a savor of life or of death, and, forgetting all selfish ... the passions
under the control of reason, in conformity to God's law, and preserving ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 39 the trial at.htm

What is God's Will?
... It consists partly in forgetting that they are laws"in ... away the hopelessness of trying
to keep God's will. ... a relation to a living will, not to didactic law. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/what is gods will.htm

Daleth.
... he had said, "And pity me according to Thy law;" he mentioneth ... thou run that way,
by choosing, and by not forgetting the judgments of God, and by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/daleth.htm

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Forgetting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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