Topical Encyclopedia Forgetfulness, in a biblical context, often carries significant spiritual implications. It is not merely the loss of memory but can symbolize a deeper spiritual condition or moral failing. The Bible addresses forgetfulness in various ways, highlighting both human tendencies to forget God's works and commands, and the divine attribute of God choosing to forget sins.Human Forgetfulness 1. Spiritual Neglect: Forgetfulness is frequently associated with spiritual neglect or a lack of mindfulness towards God's commandments and deeds. In Deuteronomy 4:9 , Moses warns the Israelites, "Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren." This verse underscores the importance of remembrance as a means of maintaining faithfulness to God. 2. Consequences of Forgetting God: The Bible often links forgetfulness with disobedience and idolatry. In Hosea 4:6 , God laments, "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 will also forget your children." Here, forgetfulness leads to a breakdown in the covenant relationship between God and His people. 3. Call to Remember: The Psalms frequently call believers to remember God's past acts of deliverance and faithfulness. Psalm 103:2 exhorts, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds." Remembering God's goodness is portrayed as an antidote to spiritual forgetfulness and a means of fostering gratitude and worship. Divine Forgetfulness 1. Forgiveness and Forgetfulness: In contrast to human forgetfulness, God's forgetfulness is an act of grace. When God forgives, He chooses to forget the sins of the repentant. Isaiah 43:25 states, "I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more." This divine forgetfulness is not a lapse in memory but a deliberate act of mercy, emphasizing the completeness of God's forgiveness. 2. Covenant Faithfulness: God's forgetfulness of sins is tied to His covenant faithfulness. Hebrews 8:12 reiterates this promise, "For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more." This assurance is rooted in the new covenant established through Christ, highlighting the transformative power of divine grace. Practical Implications 1. Cultivating Remembrance: Believers are encouraged to actively cultivate remembrance of God's word and works. This can be achieved through regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and communal worship. The practice of the Lord's Supper, as instituted by Jesus in Luke 22:19 , "Do this in remembrance of Me," serves as a tangible reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the foundation of Christian faith. 2. Guarding Against Spiritual Amnesia: The New Testament warns against spiritual amnesia, urging believers to remain vigilant and steadfast. In 2 Peter 1:12-13 , Peter writes, "Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body." This call to remembrance is a safeguard against drifting away from the truth. In summary, forgetfulness in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses human frailty and divine grace. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and commands, while also highlighting the profound mercy of God who chooses to forget our sins through forgiveness. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality of being forgetful; proneness to let slip from the mind.2. (n.) Loss of remembrance or recollection; a ceasing to remember; oblivion. 3. (n.) Failure to bear in mind; careless omission; inattention; as, forgetfulness of duty. Greek 3024. lethe -- forgetfulness ... forgetfulness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: lethe Phonetic Spelling: (lay'-thay) Short Definition: forgetfulness Definition: forgetfulness ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3024.htm - 6k 1953. epilesmone -- forgetfulness Strong's Hebrew 5388. neshiyyah -- forgetfulness, oblivion... 5387b, 5388. neshiyyah. 5389 . forgetfulness, oblivion. Transliteration: neshiyyah Phonetic Spelling: (nesh-ee-yaw') Short Definition: forgetfulness. ... /hebrew/5388.htm - 6k Library What, when I Name Forgetfulness, and Withal Recognise what I Name? ... The Privation of Memory is Forgetfulness. Whether Prudence Can be Lost through Forgetfulness? That Forgetfulness of Reason Makes Men Ignorant of the True God, How Valuable to the Perfect is the Forgetfulness of Sin. A Question How we Can Attain to Forgetfulness of the Cares of this ... For Though Man was Created in Grace, God, Foreseeing his ... Whether Ingratitude is Always a Sin? Whether the Damned Can Make Use of the Knowledge they had in this ... Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent, yet ... Thesaurus Forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) Failure to bear in mind; careless omission; inattention; as, forgetfulness of duty. Multi-Version Concordance Forgetfulness (1 Occurrence). ... /f/forgetfulness.htm - 7k Self-forgetfulness (1 Occurrence) Forgetful (4 Occurrences) Forget (77 Occurrences) Oblivion (1 Occurrence) Forgets (8 Occurrences) Outspoken (3 Occurrences) Imposing (8 Occurrences) Fearlessly (10 Occurrences) Eyes (6285 Occurrences) Resources What is the sea of forgetfulness? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God really forget our sins? | GotQuestions.org What is psychotheology? | GotQuestions.org Forgetfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)Psalms 88:12 Subtopics Related Terms |
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