Remembrance and Forgetting

In these passages, the Bible speaks of remembrance as recalling the LORD's acts, commands, and covenant, while forgetting is associated with turning from him. The word or idea recurs in at least 22 verses across 2 books and 16 episodes.

Deuteronomy tells its hearers to guard the words they have seen, keep them from departing from the heart, and make them known to later generations (Deuteronomy 4:9). It warns against forgetting the LORD's covenant and making an idol (Deuteronomy 4:23). Remembering Israel's slavery in Egypt and the LORD's deliverance is connected with keeping the Sabbath and doing commanded statutes (Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 16:12).

The passages also call for remembering the wilderness way, including its testing and the question of keeping commandments (Deuteronomy 8:2), and for remembering the LORD as the one who gives strength for wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). In Judges, a later generation is described as not knowing the LORD or his work for Israel (Judges 2:10); another passage says Israel forgot the LORD and served the Baals and the Asherahs (Judges 3:7).