23 “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you. 24 “And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever. 25 “When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite. 26 “And when your children say to you, `What does this rite mean to you?’ 27 you shall say, `It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORDwho passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.'” And the people bowed low and worshiped.
28 Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
29 Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle. 30 Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home where there was not someone dead. 31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, worship the LORD, as you have said. 32 “Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and go, and bless me also.”
Finally, Pharaoh could pretend no longer. When tragedy struck his own flesh and blood, then it was too much to bear. He could scorn God no more. His pride would do him no good. It could not bring back his firstborn. All he could do was ask Moses and Aaron to go worship the Lord, and bless him. Finally, he knew that there was a God bigger than himself. Whose curse should be feared, and whose blessing was to be desired above all things. Don’t wait until tragedy comes; seek the blessing of God now, while it is day.