If there is any question about whether or not God forgets our sins or our sinful nature, maybe the following discourse will answer that question.

Both the book of Hosea and the book of Amos record how deeply God is offended at the nation of Israel because of their evil ways. From cheating their fellow-man in business, lying, to worshiping other gods.

In Hosea 7:2 He says, “And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness…” And in 8:13, “They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the Lord accepteth them not; now will He remember their iniquity…”

Then, in Amos 8:7 “The Lord hath sworn by the Excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works”.

So let’s examine Amos 8:7 with a word study.

surely (Hebrew; ak, ak) affirmation, certainly, of a surety

never (Hebrew; im, eem) no more, of a truth

forget (Hebrew; shakeach, shaw-kay-akh) mislay, be oblivious of for lack of memory or attention

any (Hebrew; kowl, kale) the whole, every, as many as, all, any

works (Hebrew; ma’aseh, mah-aseh) an action, transaction, a product

This is how I would paraphrase Amos:

After describing their offenses God says, of a surety I will no more… of a truth, be oblivious of for lack of memory or attention any and all of their actions or transactions.

Ok, that’s pretty clear… but then we read Ezekiel 18:22, “All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 

And an additional word study would look like this:

All (Hebrew; kowl, kole) the whole, every, as many as, all, any

Transgressions (Hebrew; pasha, pey-shah) revolt, (national, moral or religious) rebellion, trespass

Committed (Hebrew; asah, aw-saw) to do, in the broadest sense and widest application, accomplish, do, committed

Mention (Hebrew; zakar, zaw-kar) to mention, to remember, be mindful of, recount, still-think on

Righteousness (Hebrew; tsdaqah, tsed-awkaw) rightness, rectitude, justice, moral virtue

Live (Hebrew; chayzh, khaw-yaw) be alive, quicken, repair, recover

My paraphrase of this verse would look like this:

Any and All of his national, moral, or religious trespasses that were committed in the broadest sense and wherein he accomplished the widest application, all that shall not be remembered, recounted, or thought about: in his changed rectitude and moral virtue he is repaired, recovered and is quickened… that’s where he’s living now.

Ok! God will set all that aside? Yes! But there are prerequisites. Read verses 21. Then to express His compassion He pleads in Verse 23, “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? Saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his wicked ways, and live.