Forgetting God.
The conduct of Israel in the wilderness was an anticipation and prediction of their national history generally. The parallelism suggested itself to the minds of the prophets, who evidently referred to the books of Moses to find there a description and a censure of their own contemporaries.
I. THE CAUSE OF FORGETFULNESS OF GOD.
1. Generally speaking, this sin arises from absorption in earthly pursuits and pleasures.
2. Particularly it may be learned from this passage—and the lesson is enforced by daily observation—that prosperity is the occasion of irreligion. The more this world's good is sought and prized, the more it often proves to be the case that the great Giver of all good is forgotten.
II. THE SIN AND GUILT OF FORGETTING GOD.
1. This appears from human dependence upon the Maker and Ruler of all.
2. And from the consequent indebtedness of the creature to the Creator. To him men owe all they have, and it is the basest ingratitude to forget the one Divine Benefactor.
3. And from their responsibility to God. Life has to be accounted for, at last, before him who gave it as a sacred trust. If the trust has been abused, such abuse is sin, and sin of the deepest dye.
III. THE CONSEQUENCES OF FORGETTING GOD.
1. Moral deterioration will certainly follow. The soul from which God is banished is degraded and ruined by the absence of what alone can dignify and bless.
2. Judgment cannot be escaped. If men forget God he will indeed remember them, but he cannot remember them "for good."—T.