In the context of the Bible, the concept of delaying can be understood through various narratives and teachings that highlight both the consequences and the wisdom associated with postponement or hesitation. The Scriptures provide numerous examples where delay plays a significant role in the unfolding of God's plans and human responses.

Old Testament Examples

1. Lot's Hesitation: In Genesis 19, the account of Lot's escape from Sodom illustrates the dangers of delay. Despite the urgency of the angels' warning, Lot hesitated, and the angels had to physically lead him and his family out of the city. Genesis 19:16 states, "But when he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them." This narrative underscores the peril of delaying obedience to divine instruction.

2. Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites' journey to the Promised Land was marked by a significant delay due to their disobedience and lack of faith. Numbers 14:33-34 recounts, "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years and bear the brunt of your unfaithfulness until your bodies lie scattered in the wilderness. For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your iniquities and know My displeasure." This delay served as a period of testing and refinement for the nation.

New Testament Teachings

1. Parable of the Ten Virgins: In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins, which emphasizes the importance of readiness and the dangers of delay. The five foolish virgins failed to prepare adequately and were shut out of the wedding feast. Matthew 25:10 states, "But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut." This parable serves as a warning against spiritual procrastination.

2. Procrastination in Following Christ: Jesus addresses the issue of delay in discipleship in Luke 9:59-62. When a man expresses a desire to follow Jesus but asks to first bury his father, Jesus responds, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:60). This passage highlights the urgency and priority of committing to Christ without delay.

Theological Implications

Delaying can reflect a lack of faith or trust in God's timing and purposes. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Trusting in God involves acting promptly on His guidance rather than hesitating due to fear or doubt.

Practical Applications

Believers are encouraged to avoid the pitfalls of delay by seeking God's will and acting upon it with diligence. James 4:13-15 reminds Christians of the uncertainty of life and the importance of aligning plans with God's will: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.'"

In summary, the Bible presents delaying as a significant theme with spiritual implications, urging believers to act in faith and obedience without hesitation.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Delay.463. anoche -- a delaying, forbearance
... a delaying, forbearance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: anoche
Phonetic Spelling: (an-okh-ay') Short Definition: forbearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/463.htm - 7k

5549. chronizo -- to spend or take time, delay
... Word Origin from chronos Definition to spend or take time, delay NASB Word Usage
is not coming for a long time (1), delay (2), delaying (1), long time (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5549.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

But we do not Purpose Delaying Further on this Part of the Subject ...
... Book III. 4 But we do not purpose delaying further on this part of the
subject? But we do not purpose delaying further on this ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/4 but we do not.htm

Psalm 95 Canaan Lost through Unbelief; Or, a Warning to Delaying ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 95 Canaan lost through unbelief; or, A warning to delaying
sinners. ... Canaan lost through unbelief; or, A warning to delaying sinners. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 95 canaan lost through.htm

Psalm 95:3. 1 2 3 6-11. LM Canaan Lost through Unbelief; Or, a ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 95:3. 1 2 3 6-11. LM Canaan lost through
unbelief; or, A warning to delaying sinners. 1 Come ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 95 3 0 1 2 3.htm

Of Some Certain Tokens by the which a Man May Prove Whether He be ...
... Sometimes our Lord will delay it by an artful device, for He will by such a delaying
make it grow, and be had more in dainty when it is new found and felt ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 6.htm

Conditions of Being Saved
... You can never be converted so long as you operate only in the way of delaying and
promising yourself that you will become religious at some future time. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/x conditions of being saved.htm

The Acts of Barnabus.
... And I found Paul in bed in Antioch from the toil of the journey, who also seeing
me, was exceedingly grieved on account of my delaying in Pamphylia. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the acts of barnabus/the acts of barnabus.htm

A Foreshadowing
... novelties. Alexander half envied Peter his martyr's crown as he stood musing
over the past. What was delaying his guests? he wondered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 1 a foreshadowing.htm

But in Truth was There Either Decree of any Law...
... For upon leaving you and crossing the sea, now delaying and hesitating, what I ought
to hold, what to let go; which delay rose upon me every day the more, from ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 18 but in truth.htm

In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...
... time. [100] And the people were standing [Arabic, p.3] awaiting Zacharias,
and they were perplexed at his delaying in the temple. [23 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section i in the beginning.htm

Chapter xxiv
... Abraham's being old is referred to in connection with his choice of a wife for Isaac
because his age reminds him of the need of delaying in this important ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

Delaying (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Delaying (6 Occurrences). Matthew 24:48 But if that evil
servant should say in his heart,'My lord is delaying his coming,' (WEB). ...
/d/delaying.htm - 8k

Delay (47 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 24:48 But if that evil servant should say in his heart,'My lord
is delaying his coming,' (Root in WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/d/delay.htm - 21k

Lingering (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Linger. 2. (a.) Delaying. 3. (a.) Drawn out in time; remaining
long; protracted; as, a lingering disease. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/lingering.htm - 7k

Wondered (45 Occurrences)
... (DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Luke 1:21 And the people were awaiting Zacharias,
and they wondered at his delaying in the temple. (DBY RSV). ...
/w/wondered.htm - 19k

Wicked (476 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Matthew 24:48 But if that evil servant should say in his
heart,'My lord is delaying his coming,' (See RSV NIV). Matthew ...
/w/wicked.htm - 37k

Delays (2 Occurrences)

/d/delays.htm - 7k

Delayeth (3 Occurrences)

/d/delayeth.htm - 7k

Delayed (18 Occurrences)
... 5:28 Through the window she hath looked out -- Yea, she crieth out -- the mother
of Sisera, Through the lattice: Wherefore is his chariot delaying to come? ...
/d/delayed.htm - 11k

Crieth (47 Occurrences)
... 5:28 Through the window she hath looked out -- Yea, she crieth out -- the mother
of Sisera, Through the lattice: Wherefore is his chariot delaying to come? ...
/c/crieth.htm - 20k

Awaiting (13 Occurrences)
... body of Jesus. (DBY). Luke 1:21 And the people were awaiting Zacharias, and
they wondered at his delaying in the temple. (DBY). Luke 2 ...
/a/awaiting.htm - 10k

What does it mean that today is the day of salvation? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about procrastination? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is not willing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)? | GotQuestions.org

Delaying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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