In the Bible, the concept of forgetting is often associated with both human frailty and divine grace. The act of forgetting can have both negative and positive connotations, depending on the context in which it is used.

Human Forgetfulness

Human forgetfulness is frequently depicted as a weakness or failure to remember God's commandments, blessings, and past acts of deliverance. 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.

The Psalms also reflect on the dangers of forgetting God. Psalm 106:21 states, "They forgot God their Savior, who did great things in Egypt," highlighting the Israelites' tendency to forget God's mighty works and the consequences that followed. Forgetting God often leads to idolatry and disobedience, as seen throughout the history of Israel.

Divine Forgetfulness

In contrast to human forgetfulness, divine forgetfulness is portrayed as an act of grace and mercy. When God "forgets" sins, it signifies His forgiveness and the removal of guilt. Isaiah 43:25 declares, "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 choice to no longer hold sins against the repentant.

The New Testament echoes this theme in Hebrews 8:12, where God promises, "For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more." This assurance of forgiveness is central to the New Covenant, emphasizing God's willingness to restore a broken relationship with humanity through Christ.

Forgetting the Past

The Apostle Paul speaks of a positive form of forgetting in Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, forgetting refers to leaving behind past failures and achievements to focus on the future and the pursuit of spiritual maturity.

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible presents forgetting as a multifaceted concept. Human forgetfulness often leads to spiritual decline, while divine forgetfulness is an expression of God's grace. Believers are encouraged to remember God's works and commandments while also forgetting past hindrances to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ.7911. shakach -- to forget
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to forget NASB Word Usage ever forget (1), forget
(47), forgets (3), forgot (10), forgotten (39), who forget (1). ...
/hebrew/7911.htm - 6k

5382. nashah -- to forget
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to forget NASB Word Usage forget (2), forgets
(1), forgotten (2), surely forget (1). forget, deprive, exact. ...
/hebrew/5382.htm - 6k

But that People which Forgets God, Forgets Itself. ...
... X. But that People which forgets God, forgets itself.? But that People
which forgets God, forgets itself. What right has it to ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/x but that people which.htm

In the Next Place, Celsus Forgets that He is Addressing Christians ...
... Chapter XXXVII. In the next place, Celsus forgets that he is addressing
Christians? In the next place, Celsus forgets that he ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxvii in the next.htm

The Bible the Great Civilizer
... And so, after a while, the man lowers his soul, and makes it mean and covetous.
He forgets all that is lovely and of good report. ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon viii the bible the.htm

We Sure of To-Morrow? a New Year's Sermon
... To-day's carouse will not empty it; there will be enough for to-morrow.' He forgets
to-morrow's headaches; he forgets that on some tomorrow the wine will be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/we sure of to-morrow a.htm

James i. 22-24
... the word with the understanding only, without applying it to the life, to one who,
having seen his image in a mirror, goes away and immediately forgets how he ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 22-24.htm

"Christ Also Waits. "
... new. Christ also waits; but men are slow and late. Have we done what we
could? Have I? Have you ?". "Somebody Forgets.". A little ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/christ also waits.htm

Charge You, O Daughters of Jerusalem, if Ye Find My Beloved, that ...
... True love has no eyes for self. [37] This poor afflicted Spouse forgets her still
bleeding wounds, she forgets her loss, she does not even refer to it; she ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/8 i charge you o.htm

First and Second Appearances of the Risen Christ. The Resurrection ...
... Her grief at the loss of the Lord is so great that she forgets to be frightened
at the angels; just as a mother in her anxiety for the sick child forgets to ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxv first and second appearances.htm

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... He that forgets his king becomes a traitor. The soldier that forgets his captain
becomes a deserter. The child that forgets his mother, becomes a prodigal. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm

The Cry for Bread
... So the right understanding of this prayer is a barrier against the opposite evils
of a false sensuousness which forgets the spirit that is in the flesh, and of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the cry for bread.htm

Forgets (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Forgets (8 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). James 1:24 for he sees
himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ...
/f/forgets.htm - 8k

Forget (77 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV). James 1:24 for he sees himself, and goes
away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ...
/f/forget.htm - 31k

Forgettest (6 Occurrences)

/f/forgettest.htm - 8k

Observes (14 Occurrences)
... mirror; (See RSV). James 1:24 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately
forgets what kind of man he was. (See RSV). Numbers 9 ...
/o/observes.htm - 10k

Looks (76 Occurrences)
... James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not
being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in ...
/l/looks.htm - 28k

I'll (31 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Genesis 27:45 until your brother's anger turn away from you, and he forgets
what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you from there. ...
/i/i'll.htm - 15k

Forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)

/f/forgetfulness.htm - 7k

Forsakes (7 Occurrences)
... Almighty. (WEB RSV NIV). Proverbs 2:17 who forsakes the friend of her youth,
and forgets the covenant of her God: (WEB RSV). Proverbs ...
/f/forsakes.htm - 8k

Trample (34 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Job 39:15 and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild
animal may trample them. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/trample.htm - 16k

Doer (25 Occurrences)
... James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not
being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in ...
/d/doer.htm - 14k

What does the Bible mean when it says that God remembered something? | GotQuestions.org

Does God really forget our sins? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be doers of the Word in James 1:22? | GotQuestions.org

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