This is one of Scripture's most tender expressions of God's unfailing love, using maternal imagery to convey covenant faithfulness. God poses a hypothetical: 'Can a woman forget her sucking child?' The nursing relationship represents the strongest natural bond—a mother's hormonal, emotional, and physical connection to her infant. The Hebrew shakach (שָׁכַח, forget) means to completely cease remembering, to abandon from mind. 'That she should not have compassion' uses racham (רָחַם), from the word for womb—suggesting the deep, visceral love mothers feel. God acknowledges the unthinkable possibility: 'Yea, they may forget'—even the strongest human love can fail. Tragically, some mothers do abandon children. But the divine contrast follows: 'Yet will I not forget thee' (ve-anokhi lo eshkachekh, וְאָנֹכִי לֹא אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ). The emphatic pronoun 'I' (anokhi) stresses God's personal commitment. His covenant love surpasses the strongest human affection, proving absolutely unbreakable.
Historical Context
Israel in Babylonian exile felt forgotten by God—temple destroyed, city razed, people scattered, promises seemingly void. Isaiah addresses this despair: 'Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me' (49:14). This verse responds to that accusation. The maternal imagery would resonate deeply in ancient culture where motherhood defined women's identity and security. While ancient Near Eastern religions included mother goddesses (Ishtar, Asherah), Israel's God transcends gender while using both maternal and paternal imagery. The New Testament affirms God's unfailing remembrance: nothing separates believers from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). Jesus promises never to lose those the Father gave Him (John 6:39).
Questions for Reflection
When you feel forgotten by God, how can this promise of His unfailing remembrance provide comfort?
How does God's love surpassing even maternal affection change your understanding of His commitment to you?
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Analysis & Commentary
This is one of Scripture's most tender expressions of God's unfailing love, using maternal imagery to convey covenant faithfulness. God poses a hypothetical: 'Can a woman forget her sucking child?' The nursing relationship represents the strongest natural bond—a mother's hormonal, emotional, and physical connection to her infant. The Hebrew shakach (שָׁכַח, forget) means to completely cease remembering, to abandon from mind. 'That she should not have compassion' uses racham (רָחַם), from the word for womb—suggesting the deep, visceral love mothers feel. God acknowledges the unthinkable possibility: 'Yea, they may forget'—even the strongest human love can fail. Tragically, some mothers do abandon children. But the divine contrast follows: 'Yet will I not forget thee' (ve-anokhi lo eshkachekh, וְאָנֹכִי לֹא אֶשְׁכָּחֵךְ). The emphatic pronoun 'I' (anokhi) stresses God's personal commitment. His covenant love surpasses the strongest human affection, proving absolutely unbreakable.