An interesting aspect of Moses’ institution of the first Passover feast, as God prepared to take them from Egypt and its bondage is a statement of accommodation in Exodus 12:3. Moses related God’s command that one lamb per household be offered as a part of Passover. However, in verse 4 God instructed Moses, “And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb” (Exodus 12:4).
Two thoughts to consider here. First, God understood the privation of the people, and was willing to make accommodations to those who were too poor (their household “too small”) to offer a full lamb. By application, we know that God will accommodate any limitations we ourselves have. For example, if we are poor (just like the widow with two mites, Mark 12:41-44), God does not require what we are incapable of offering. This principle is true with our health, age, talent, and any other aspect of our service to Him. He only requires what we can offer.
Second, God accommodates our needs, but that does not give us an excuse not to strive for zeal and liberality in our service to Him. You must not try to take advantage of God!
