Memory of time is the basis for self-identity. The words in Hebrew for time, zaman, and remember, zakar, both start with the Hebrew letter, zayin. The word zakar זכר is spelt zayin-kaf- resh. But before looking at the meaning of these pictograms, let us examine the importance of remembering.
After the mighty display of God’s omnipotent power, Pharoah, devasted by the death of his firstborn son, let the people of Israel free after 400 years of slavery in Egypt. Moses instructed the people to slaughter the Passover lamb, and, on that night, God struck the first born of Egypt. On the very same day the Lord brought the people of Israel out the land of Egypt by their hosts, Exodus 12:51. The very first words Moses said to Israel were, “Remember this day in which you came out of Egypt.”
Moses, as received from the Lord, instructed Israel to keep the Feasts of the Lord and to pass this information on to the next generation. So important were the words of Moses in Deuteronomy that he said to the people to bind it as a sign on their hands and that it should be “as frontlets between their eyes.” They had to pass the information to their children. Moses further commanded them to take care lest they forget the Lord their God, Who brought them out of Egypt.
The pictographs of the Hebrew word “remember” render the exact same analogy. The first letter of the word zakar, is the letter zayin, which is a pictogram of a dagger, something one can make a mark with. The second letter, the kaf, is a picture of the palm of the hand, and the third letter, resh, is a picture of a man’s head. The word “remember” therefore speaks of a mark in the hand and in the forehead which is what Moses commanded Israel. He said: “Remember this day.” The day when God brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Israel left Egypt, they were fed manna in the desert, water poured from the rock and as is widely known, Israel defeated Amalek while Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms. The very profound words of Joshua, recorded in Exodus 17:13 were: “And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.” The Lord then said to Moses to write these words in a book of memorial, “I will blot out the memory of Amalek from under the heaven.” Moses was also instructed to recite it to Joshua so that he can remember.
Three months later, Israel reached the foot of mount Sinai. Moses received the Ten Commandments, and the fourth commandment reads, “Remember the Sabbath that you keep it holy.” Israel entered the Promised land, and was first ruled by the judges, and then, on their insistence, by the kings. Over and over Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord sent His prophets to warn them.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “Can a virgin forget her ornaments or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me for days without number,” Jeremiah 2:32. Ezekiel, who spoke against the elders of Israel, reiterated the fact that Israel did not remember God. Hosea said that Israel have forgotten her Maker and built palaces. Zephaniah, that because they did not remember, they turned from serving the Lord, and Isaiah that the people had no remembrance of God.
It is evident from the Old Testament history that it was impressed upon Israel to remember God, to keep reminding themselves, to teach their children to love the Lord, speak of His mighty deeds and honor God. An instruction which Israel failed dismally to execute.
Therefore, in the fulness of time Jesus was born to redeem mankind. Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah 42:9 reads: “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” And Paul, in the book of Hebrews, wrote that the Lord will be merciful toward our iniquities, and He will remember our sins no more. Jesus’ sacrifice ensured that we could forget the past.
So, remember to forget the woes and troubles, the difficulties and disasters, the stress and the strain, the despair and the disappointments, the loss and the pain. Remember to forget the success and celebration and the achievements and acknowledgements of 2024 and as Paul said, just do this:
“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward for what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13.
Behold, He is making everything new, 2024 has passed away and 2025 lies ahead with the promise of a new beginning. Remember to forget what lies behind. May God bless you in 2025.
