In the context of the Bible, the concept of "delayed" often pertains to the timing of God's actions, human responses, or the fulfillment of divine promises. The theme of delay is significant in understanding the nature of faith, patience, and divine sovereignty.

Divine Timing and Human Perception

The Bible frequently addresses the tension between human expectations and God's timing. In 2 Peter 3:9 , it is written, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This verse highlights that what may seem like a delay from a human perspective is, in fact, an expression of God's patience and mercy.

Examples of Delayed Fulfillment

1. Abraham and Sarah: One of the most notable examples of delay is the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah. Despite God's promise, they waited many years before Isaac was born. This delay tested their faith and patience, as seen in Genesis 21:1-2 : "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised."

2. Israel's Deliverance from Egypt: The Israelites experienced a prolonged period of slavery in Egypt before God delivered them through Moses. This delay served to demonstrate God's power and faithfulness, as well as to prepare the Israelites for their journey to the Promised Land. Exodus 12:40-41 states, "Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt."

3. The Coming of the Messiah: The anticipation of the Messiah was a central theme in the Old Testament, with many prophecies pointing to His coming. However, the fulfillment of these prophecies was delayed for centuries, culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ. Galatians 4:4 explains, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law."

Lessons from Delay

The Bible teaches that delays are often opportunities for growth in faith and character. James 1:3-4 encourages believers, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Delays can refine believers, teaching them to trust in God's perfect timing and wisdom.

Warnings Against Impatience

Scripture also warns against the dangers of impatience and taking matters into one's own hands. The account of Saul's unlawful sacrifice in 1 Samuel 13:8-14 serves as a cautionary tale. Saul's impatience led him to act against God's command, resulting in the loss of his kingdom. This narrative underscores the importance of waiting on the Lord and adhering to His instructions.

Conclusion

The theme of delay in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing divine timing, human response, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Through various narratives and teachings, Scripture reveals that delays are not denials but are often part of God's greater plan for His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Delay.1019. braduno -- to retard, to be slow
... See 1021 (). Word Origin from bradus Definition to retard, to be slow NASB
Word Usage am delayed (1), slow (1). hesitate, delay, tarry. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1019.htm - 6k

3636. okneros -- shrinking, timid, hence idle, lazy, troublesome
... 3636 (from 3635 , "to delay") -- properly, and hence be (delayed); (figuratively)
reluctant, slothful, indolent ("dragging one's feet"). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3636.htm - 7k

954. bosh -- to be ashamed
... become dry (1), been confounded (1), been put (8), been put to shame (8), been shamed
(1), brings shame (1), covered with shame (1), delayed (1), disappointed ...
/hebrew/954.htm - 6k

4102. mahah -- to linger, tarry
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to linger, tarry NASB Word Usage delay (2),
delayed (2), delaying (1), hesitated (1), tarries (1), wait (2). ...
/hebrew/4102.htm - 6k

4900. mashak -- to draw, drag
... root Definition to draw, drag NASB Word Usage away (1), bore (1), continue (1),
deferred (1), delayed (2), deployed (1), drag (1), drag me away (1), drags (1 ...
/hebrew/4900.htm - 6k

309. achar -- to remain behind, tarry
... root Definition to remain behind, tarry NASB Word Usage delay (11), delayed (1),
late (2), linger (1), stay up late (1), stayed (1), tarry (1). ...
/hebrew/309.htm - 6k

Whether the Time of Our Resurrection Should be Delayed Till the ...
... OF THE TIME AND MANNER OF THE RESURRECTION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the time of
our resurrection should be delayed till the end of the world? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the time of our.htm

St. Ambrose Gives Additional Rules Concerning Repentance, and ...
... Book II. Chapter I. St. Ambrose gives additional rules concerning repentance,
and shows that it must not be delayed.? St. Ambrose ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i st ambrose gives.htm

Of the End of this Life, Whether it is Material that it be Long ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 11."Of the End of This Life, Whether It
is Material that It Be Long Delayed. But, it is added, many ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 11 of the end of.htm

God's Pathway to Human Hearts.
... Why the Results are Delayed God's Pathway to Human Hearts. God touches men through
men. The Spirit's path to a human heart is through another human heart. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/gods pathway to human hearts.htm

How Different the Acts in the Kingdom of the Earthly Jerusalem are ...
... But lest on this account God should be thought to have done contrary to His promise,
immediately he adds, "Thou hast delayed Thy Christ." [1057] Therefore he ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 how different the acts.htm

And in the Holy Ghost. What Has Been Delivered Above Somewhat at ...
... Christ relates to the mystery of His Incarnation and of His Passion, and, by thus
intervening, as belonging to His Person, has somewhat delayed the mention of ...
/.../35 and in the holy.htm

Whether Souls are Conveyed to Heaven or Hell Immediately after ...
... sometimes venial sin, though needing first of all to be cleansed, is an obstacle
to the receiving of the reward; the result being that the reward is delayed. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether souls are conveyed to.htm

That More Might be Given and Gotten.
... Why the Results are Delayed That More Might be Given and Gotten. Now ... birth.
The answer was delayed that more might be given and gotten. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/that more might be given.htm

The Delays of Love
... II. This delayed help always comes at the right time. ... The answer always
comes at the right time, and is punctual though delayed. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the delays of love.htm

Habakkuk
... The solution may be long delayed, but faith sees and grasps it already: "The just
shall live by his faithfulness," ii.1-4. Then follows a series of woes, ii.5 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/habakkuk.htm

Delayed (18 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Delay. Multi-Version Concordance Delayed (18 Occurrences). ... Matthew
25:5 Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. (WEB RSV). ...
/d/delayed.htm - 11k

Delay (47 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time; to retard the motion,
or time of arrival, of; as, the mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow. ...
/d/delay.htm - 21k

Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)
... years." (See RSV). Luke 1:21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they
marveled that he delayed in the temple. (See RSV). Luke 1 ...
/z/zechari'ah.htm - 20k

Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)
... them by Paul. He could not write again, as he was now ready to be offered,
and his execution could not long be delayed. But as he ...
/o/onesiphorus.htm - 11k

Lys'ias (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:22 And having heard these things, Felix delayed them -- having known more
exactly of the things concerning the way -- saying, 'When Lysias the chief ...
/l/lys'ias.htm - 6k

Late (24 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) Coming after the time when due, or after the usual
or proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring. ...
/l/late.htm - 14k

Lag (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Coming tardily after or behind; slow; tardy. 2.
(a.) Last; long-delayed; -- obsolete, except in the phrase lag end. ...
/l/lag.htm - 7k

Wot (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount,
the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up ...
/w/wot.htm - 13k

Waiting (274 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY YLT NAS NIV). Luke 1:21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they
marveled that he delayed in the temple. (WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/waiting.htm - 35k

Repentance (28 Occurrences)
... own character and deeds it means "to rue," "to repent." To adapt language to our
understanding, God is represented as repenting when delayed penalties are at ...
/r/repentance.htm - 31k

Who are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org

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Delayed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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