Exodus 12: 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.
The passages above refer to the final countdown to midnight, as took place in the land of Egypt, prior to the exodus of the Hebrews, from Egyptian slavery. God is merciful in all of His dealings with humanity, and He utterly exhausts all ways and means to save persons, before bringing or permitting judgements to fall. Several passages show many instances where God, in His mercy gave Pharaoh time to repent, when He was willing to forgive, for He takes no delight in the death or destruction of persons.
The clearest evidences, appealing to his intelligence were given to pharaoh and on multiple occasions his own magicians and counselors protested against his stubbornness and foolhardiness, yet pharaoh would continue to dig in his heels, even as Egypt was being reduced to ruins. Therefore, when we read those opening passages, referring to the countdown to midnight, God would have us understand that they did not, and they will never occur in a vacuum.
Instead, they are the last resort, when mercy and grace has absolutely failed to bring about the necessary changes in persons. Several passages in the narrative demonstrate what is being said, and therefore, as we study the sacred history leading up to that fateful night, we should endeavor never to follow in pharaoh’s footsteps by erroneously concluding that God’s grace would last forever, because it won’t.
Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!