In biblical terms, the concept of "deferred" often relates to the idea of delay or postponement, particularly in the context of hope, judgment, or fulfillment of God's promises. The notion of deferral can be seen throughout Scripture, where God's timing and human expectations sometimes diverge, leading to periods of waiting and anticipation.

Hope Deferred

One of the most direct references to the concept of deferral in the Bible is found in Proverbs 13:12: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" . This verse captures the emotional and spiritual impact of delayed expectations. When hopes or desires are postponed, it can lead to feelings of discouragement or spiritual malaise. However, the fulfillment of those longings brings renewal and vitality, akin to a "tree of life."

Divine Timing

The Bible frequently addresses the theme of divine timing, where God's plans unfold according to His perfect schedule, which may not align with human expectations. For instance, the Israelites experienced a prolonged period of waiting for deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Despite their cries for immediate relief, God’s timing was precise, as seen in Exodus 3:7-8, where He assures Moses of His awareness and forthcoming action: "I have surely seen the affliction of My people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry... So I have come down to rescue them."

Similarly, the coming of the Messiah was anticipated for centuries, with prophecies pointing to a future fulfillment. Galatians 4:4-5 reflects on this divine timing: "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons" . The incarnation of Christ occurred at the appointed time, demonstrating that God's delays are purposeful and redemptive.

Judgment Deferred

The Bible also speaks of deferred judgment, where God, in His mercy, postpones immediate punishment to allow for repentance. This is evident in the account of Nineveh, where God sends Jonah to warn the city of impending destruction. Upon their repentance, God defers His judgment, as recorded in Jonah 3:10: "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them."

Patience and Faith

The deferral of hopes or promises often serves as a test of faith and patience. Hebrews 11, known as the "Faith Chapter," recounts the accounts of many who waited in faith for promises that were not fulfilled in their lifetimes. Hebrews 11:13 states, "All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar" . This passage highlights the importance of trusting in God's promises, even when their fulfillment is deferred.

Eschatological Deferral

In eschatological terms, the return of Christ is a significant event that is deferred until the appointed time. Believers are called to live in readiness and anticipation, as emphasized in 2 Peter 3:8-9: "But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 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 passage reassures believers that the deferral of Christ's return is an expression of God's patience and desire for all to come to repentance.

In summary, the biblical concept of "deferred" encompasses the themes of hope, divine timing, judgment, and faith. It challenges believers to trust in God's perfect timing and to remain steadfast in faith, even when fulfillment seems delayed.(imp. & p. p.) of Defer.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

4279. machar -- tomorrow, in time to come
... Probably from 'achar; properly, deferred, ie The morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow;
indefinitely, hereafter -- time to come, tomorrow. see HEBREW 'achar. ...
/hebrew/4279.htm - 6k

Whether Baptism Should be Deferred?
... OF THOSE WHO RECEIVE BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether Baptism should be deferred?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism should be deferred. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether baptism should be deferred.htm

The Possibility of Repentance is a Reason Why Baptism Should not ...
... Book II. Chapter XI. The possibility of repentance is a reason why baptism
should not be deferred to old? The possibility of repentance ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi the possibility of.htm

Whether it was Fitting for Christ to Rise Again on the Third Day?
... Therefore, it seems that Christ, who is our head, should not have risen on the third
day, but that His Resurrection ought to have been deferred until the end ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting for 8.htm

John Chapter viii. 31-36
... 1. Of what follows of the previous lesson, and has been read publicly to us to-day
from the holy Gospel, I then deferred speaking, because I had already said ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xli john chapter viii.htm

Whether Christ Went Down into the Hell of the Lost?
... men endure for actual sin, according to Ps.17:6: "The sorrows of hell encompassed
me." Another sorrow comes of hoped-for glory being deferred, according to Prov ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ went down into.htm

A Brief Recapitulation of all the Previous Books.
... by the mouth of the apostle "the power of God and the wisdom of God," [946] is so
far argued that the more careful handling of that question is deferred, viz. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 a brief recapitulation of.htm

Acts xxiv. 22, 23
... Homily LI. Acts XXIV. 22, 23. Acts XXIV.22, 23 "And when Felix heard these things,
having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them and said, When ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily li acts xxiv 22.htm

Epistle Lvii. To Lucius the Bishop of Rome, Returned from ...
... Argument."Cyprian, with His Colleagues, Congratulates Lucius on His Return from
Exile, Reminding Him that Martyrdom Deferred Does Not Make the Glory Less. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lvii to lucius the.htm

As a Boy, Then, I had Already Heard of an Eternal Life...
... And so, as if I must needs be again polluted should I live, my cleansing was deferred,
because the defilements of sin would, after that washing, bring greater ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xi as a boy.htm

And I, viewing and Reviewing Things, Most Wondered at the Length ...
... things, and these winds shifted and drove my heart this way and that, time passed
on, but I delayed to turn to the Lord; and from day to day deferred to live ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xi and i viewing.htm

Deferred (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Deferred (6 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred
makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. ...
/d/deferred.htm - 8k

Delayed (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 12:25 For I am Jehovah; I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall
be performed; it shall be no more deferred: for in your days, O rebellious ...
/d/delayed.htm - 11k

Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... ready to take risks. In the proposition of Festus, he grasps at what had
been an object of hope long deferred. For many years, he ...
/a/appeal.htm - 20k

Felix (11 Occurrences)
... The trial was begun, but after hearing the evidence of Tertullus (see TERTULLUS)
and the speech of Paul in his own defense, Felix deferred judgment (Acts 24:1 ...
/f/felix.htm - 15k

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 12:25 For I am Yahweh; I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall
be performed; it shall be no more deferred: for in your days, rebellious ...
/s/sovereign.htm - 36k

Uttermost (48 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that
way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come ...
/u/uttermost.htm - 23k

Instant (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Pressing; urgent; importunate; earnest. 3. (a.) Closely pressing or impending
in respect to time; not deferred; immediate; without delay. ...
/i/instant.htm - 13k

Immediate (2 Occurrences)
... proximate; close; as, immediate contact. 2. (a.) Not deferred by an interval
of time; present; instant. 3. (a.) Acting with nothing ...
/i/immediate.htm - 7k

Exact (31 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them,
saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide ...
/e/exact.htm - 18k

Deferreth (1 Occurrence)

/d/deferreth.htm - 6k

What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.org

Why is waiting on God so difficult? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Deferred: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus