Exodus 12:21,22
“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. “You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.”
This is a terrifying circumstance. Many may not have a clue as to what was about to transpire. So, they may be distantly listening. It’s hard to believe.
God has given Pharaoh several chances. The plagues that hit the land where serious. The environment and the people’s health were effected. Any of them should have been enough. We get this false hope that “it’s gonna work out.” They push the patience of God. This last plague will take the life of every first born child. I can recall the scene from the movie, “The Ten Commandments”. The avenging angel flowed like mist through the town. It would penetrate doors and would seek out any first born and their life would expire. The cries and shouts of agony and horror were heard throughout the streets. At first, it seemed like it was going to be just another plague. “There would be an effect, but I’ll survive.” God also gives us warnings. The primary one is to accept His forgiveness. We may have others. We may be involved in behavior or have attitudes that need to change. Warnings continue to come. But we ignore them. Genesis 6:3 says, “Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…” God’s patience has limits. Also, we misunderstand God’s patience. 2 Peter 3:4 says, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” Many in the US know that God is love. They think that God won’t judge. They think, “He’s love, He wouldn’t do that”. He gives stern warnings about circumstances and eventually hell. The people that received the warning in todays’ passage, “not to go outside until morning” didn’t know that they were about to have a brush with death. They would lose people they know. Some will be scarred by the event. They were warned, but they didn’t take it seriously. We also are warned. I am sure God’s mercy keeps us from many bad circumstances. Most of which we don’t know of. If it were a traffic accident, that we avoided because He allowed some sore of delay. God’s patience gives us many chances. There will be an end to that. The warning may be to avoid hell. For the christian, it may be to stop a sin that will lead to brokenness. We do brush with these circumstances. Lord, thank You for Your mercies and patience. Help us not to procrastinate with Your warnings.