Some folks sneak around, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Others? They give you a heads-up, a warning shot across the bow. That difference, believe it or not, is at the heart of a fascinating distinction drawn in Jewish tradition – the difference between human behavior and God's.

We're talking about the lead-up to the Exodus, that pivotal moment when Moses confronted Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites from slavery. Before each plague struck, Moses, as God's messenger, delivered a clear warning.

Think about that for a second. God could have just unleashed the plagues, right? Bam! Water turned to blood, frogs everywhere, darkness descending… But no. Instead, we're told that Moses gave Pharaoh fair warning. The text tells us that Moses made it explicitly known that God would turn the water into blood, if he refused to let Israel go. This wasn't a whispered threat in a dark alley. It was a public declaration.

And here's where it gets really interesting. The text points out a key difference between God and man. When a mortal harbors the intention to do an injury to an enemy, he lies in wait for the moment when he can strike an unexpected blow. But God is outspoken.

According to the source, each warning was repeated by Moses for a period of three weeks, although the plague itself endured but a single week. Three weeks of warnings! Can you imagine the tension? The anticipation? The chance for Pharaoh to change his mind?

Why this elaborate preamble? Why the weeks of warnings? Perhaps it's because God isn't interested in mere punishment. It's not about catching Pharaoh off guard. Instead, the emphasis is on giving him every opportunity to choose a different path, to do the right thing.

This idea resonates deeply. It suggests that even in moments of divine judgment, there's a profound element of fairness, of allowing free will to play its part. It’s a reminder that even when faced with an adversary, there's an opportunity for dialogue, for change, and for choosing a path of righteousness.

So, the next time you're faced with a difficult situation, ask yourself: are you acting like a mortal, waiting to strike unseen? Or are you offering a warning, a chance for change, a glimmer of hope for a different outcome? Maybe, just maybe, by emulating that divine quality, we can create a little more justice and compassion in our own lives.