Ye that Forget God

“Ye that Forget God ....”

1989 2 February 23 1989 “Ye that Forget God ....”(371) The Jews, the former bearers of divine religion, began at a certain stage in their history to allow self-interest, empty convention and racial prejudice to dominate their lives. Religion was interpreted to suit their personal desires and, in the process, was thrust more and more into the background. But, in order to keep up the pretence that they were still faithfully treading the path of God, they continued to carry out religious observances on a superficial level. This may have deluded the unwary, but the prophets, who were not so easily diverted, came to tear away the religious masks they wore and to warn them of the fearful consequences of their actions. Yet, even when the wrongdoers were severely punished by God, they did not pay heed, and persisted in their sinful ways.

It was in this way that they came to be cursed by God through his prophets. “Those of the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by David and Jesus, the son of Mary, because they rebelled and committed evil and never restrained one another from wrong-doing. Evil is what they were doing.” (Quran 5: 78-81)

There are several passages in the Bible which explain what incurred God’s wrath and what exactly it meant to be cursed by God. The following excerpt from the Book of Psalms is specific:

“But unto the wicked,’ God saith, what hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth ? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

Thou sittest and speakest against thy brothers, thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

These things hast thou done, and I kept silence;

Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God (50:16-23).