Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8763 forgetting

8763 forgetting

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8763 forgetting

The process of accidentally or deliberately failing to remember people, events or ideas. Scripture rebukes those who forget the past work of God in history or in their lives or who neglect their present responsibilities towards God in order to please themselves.

Causes of forgetting

Forgetting can be deliberate

2 Peter 3:5

Forgetting can be caused by idolatry

Jeremiah 23:25-27 See also Deuteronomy 32:15-18; Judges 3:7; Jeremiah 18:15; Hosea 2:13

Forgetting can be caused by pride

Hosea 13:4-6 See also 2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 10:4

Forgetting can be caused by drinking

Proverbs 31:4-5 See also Genesis 9:20-21; Matthew 24:45-51 pp Luke 12:42-46

Forgetting can be caused by affliction

Psalm 102:4 See also Genesis 41:28-31; Lamentations 3:17-20

Forgetting people

Genesis 40:23 See also Job 19:13-15; Psalm 31:11-12

Forgetting God

Deuteronomy 32:18 See also Judges 2:10-13; 1 Samuel 12:9-10

Forgetting God's acts in the past

Psalm 78:11-20 See also Judges 8:33-34; Nehemiah 9:16-17; Psalm 106:7-13

Consequences of forgetting God

Forgetting God brings suffering on the individual

Psalm 50:22 See also 1 Samuel 12:9; Isaiah 17:10-11

Forgetting God brings suffering on others

2 Samuel 12:9 David's forgetting of God in his adultery with Bathsheba led to her husband Uriah suffering death through David's manipulation of events. See also Psalm 106:13-15; Jeremiah 3:21

Forgetting God brings destruction on the nation

Deuteronomy 8:19-20 See also Isaiah 65:11-12; Hosea 8:14

Warnings not to forget God

Deuteronomy 6:12 See also Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 8:10-14; 2 Kings 17:35-38

People may sometimes feel that God has forgotten them

God promises never to forget his people

Isaiah 44:21 See also Isaiah 49:15-16; Hebrews 6:10

Things God urges believers to forget

Isaiah 43:18 See also Philippians 3:13-15