“Always remember where you came from.” This is a quote I have heard most of my life. Many times, this quote, or one very similar, has been used to communicate some essential lessons about humility, failure, success, the rapid pace of time, mortality, perspective, core values or something similar.

When I stop to ponder “where I came from,” I am drawn back to many of the simple but profound values and lessons imparted by my parents and mentors. For instance, I can clearly hear my father’s voice saying “a man’s word is his bond” and “no amount of money is worth your integrity.” He would tell me to always “give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.” After more than 50 years, these are truisms and lessons that still ring in my ears to this day. Watching my father live his life as an example of his statements cemented their value and lasting impact. These memories affect how I think and live even now.

I find it interesting that in Numbers 33:1–2, essentially the same message is conveyed when it says “Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages.” God commanded Moses to remind the people of Israel of all they had faced as a people in their journey from slavery to the promised land. Here Moses recorded reminders of the mighty battles and crushing defeats both they and the preceding generation had faced. The account would remind them of great moments of faith and blessing of God, as well as the far-too-common failures marked by disobedience and God’s necessary disappointment, anger and wrath. In remembering where they came from, they would find lessons for the path forward.

Lord, may I always remember the lessons you have taught me through life and let them shape how I live for you. AMEN

Joe Pritchett

Extended Scripture: Numbers 32–36