Judges 8:34

Remembered not. Forgetfulness has been a common fault with the followers of God. Safety lies in remembering the way God has led and worked in the past, and in continued dependence upon that leadership. Thankfulness springs from remembrance and reflection, and when men do not think on God’s blessings to them, they forget Him and become unthankful. Thus ingratitude becomes the parent of unbelief (see on Rom. 1:20-28).

It takes positive effort to remember God. The human mind is so constituted that it does not retain in memory those things that are not frequently recalled. Hence the need of a constant refreshing in sacred history through the daily study of the Bible and attendance at divine worship where these matters are rehearsed. Hence also the need of the review of current church history, and the frequent recalling of outstanding divine interventions in personal experience.

As is common with many Hebrew words, “remember” not only refers to the act of retaining in the conscious mind but also includes the doing of that which a knowledge of the facts would require. Thus to “remember” God means to give to Him the worship which He demands. To “remember” Gideon would mean to show honor to his posterity, as well as to give heed to his counsel and seek to follow out the pattern he had laid out for the future jurisdiction of the domain of Israel.

The error of Gideon in supposing that by setting up his ephod he could preserve the fidelity of the people to Jehovah now revealed itself in all its folly. After he was dead, the Israelites gave no more thought either to him or to the God who had delivered them.