The concept of the "Forgotten Law and Covenant" in the Bible refers to periods in Israel's history when the people of God neglected or abandoned the divine laws and covenants established by God. This neglect often led to spiritual decline, societal chaos, and divine judgment. The Bible provides numerous accounts of such forgetfulness, serving as a warning and a call to remembrance and renewal.

Forgotten Law

The Law, given through Moses, was central to Israel's identity and relationship with God. It encompassed moral, ceremonial, and civil precepts designed to guide the Israelites in holiness and justice. However, throughout their history, the Israelites frequently forgot or ignored these laws, leading to dire consequences.

One notable instance of forgetting the Law occurred during the reign of King Josiah. The Book of the Law was discovered in the temple, having been neglected for generations. Upon hearing its words, Josiah tore his clothes in distress, realizing the extent of the nation's disobedience (2 Kings 22:11). This discovery prompted a national reform, as Josiah sought to restore adherence to God's commands.

The prophets often rebuked Israel for their forgetfulness. Hosea lamented, "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" (Hosea 4:6). This forgetfulness was not merely intellectual but a willful neglect of God's revealed will.

Forgotten Covenant

The covenant is a binding agreement between God and His people, characterized by promises and obligations. The Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants are foundational to understanding Israel's relationship with God. Forgetting the covenant often meant disregarding the obligations and promises that defined this relationship.

In Judges 2:10-12, we read of a generation that arose after Joshua, "who did not know the LORD or the work that He had done for Israel." This forgetfulness led them to serve the Baals and forsake the LORD, the God of their fathers. The cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance in the Book of Judges illustrates the consequences of forgetting the covenant.

Jeremiah confronted the people of Judah for breaking the covenant, stating, "They have returned to the iniquities of their forefathers who refused to listen to My words and have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers" (Jeremiah 11:10). This breach of covenant resulted in the Babylonian exile, a severe judgment meant to bring the people back to covenant faithfulness.

Remembrance and Renewal

The Bible consistently calls God's people to remember His laws and covenants. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 instructs the Israelites to keep God's commandments on their hearts, teaching them diligently to their children and discussing them in daily life. This emphasis on remembrance is a safeguard against spiritual amnesia.

The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, fulfills and transcends the old covenants. It is characterized by the internalization of God's law, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33: "I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people" . This covenant ensures that God's people are empowered by the Holy Spirit to remember and live according to His will.

In summary, the theme of forgotten law and covenant serves as a sobering reminder of the human tendency to stray from God's commands and the necessity of continual remembrance and renewal in the faith.