In the biblical narrative, delays often serve as a significant theme, reflecting God's timing, human impatience, and the testing of faith. Throughout Scripture, delays are depicted as opportunities for growth, trust, and divine intervention.

Old Testament Examples

1. Abraham and Sarah: One of the most notable delays in the Old Testament 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. Genesis 21:1-2 states, "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 him."

2. Moses and the Exodus: The Israelites experienced a significant delay in their journey to the Promised Land. What could have been a relatively short journey turned into forty years of wandering in the desert due to disobedience and lack of faith. Numbers 14:33-34 records, "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness."

3. David's Anointing and Kingship: David was anointed king by Samuel long before he actually ascended to the throne. This delay was marked by trials and persecution, particularly from King Saul. During this time, David learned to rely on God's timing and protection. 1 Samuel 16:13 notes, "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward."

New Testament Examples

1. The Coming of the Messiah: The anticipation of the Messiah was a long-standing hope for the Jewish people. The delay in His coming was a test of faith and expectation. Galatians 4:4 explains, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law."

2. The Return of Christ: The New Testament speaks of the delay in Christ's return as a period of grace and opportunity for repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 states, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Spiritual Lessons from Delays

Delays in the Bible often serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and perfect timing. They teach believers to trust in God's plan, even when it is not immediately apparent. Delays can also be a time of preparation and refinement, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Joseph, who endured years of hardship before rising to power in Egypt.

Human Impatience and Divine Timing

Human impatience is frequently contrasted with divine timing in Scripture. The Israelites' impatience led to the creation of the golden calf (Exodus 32), while Saul's impatience cost him his kingdom (1 Samuel 13:8-14). These accounts highlight the importance of waiting on the Lord and trusting in His timing.

Prayer and Delays

The Bible encourages believers to persist in prayer, even when answers are delayed. Jesus' parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) illustrates the value of perseverance in prayer. Delays in answers to prayer can strengthen faith and deepen one's relationship with God.

In summary, delays in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as tests of faith, opportunities for growth, and reminders of God's perfect timing. They challenge believers to trust in God's plan and remain faithful, even when His timing does not align with human expectations.(n.) Plural of Delay.

The Delays of Love
... THE DELAYS OF LOVE. 'Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
When He ... places. I. Christ's delays are the delays of love. We ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the delays of love.htm

Under the Cross when God Delays his Help.
... Songs of the Cross and Consolation. UNDER THE CROSS WHEN GOD DELAYS HIS
HELP. Father of mercies! God most high, Deign graciously ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/under the cross when god.htm

Three Kinds Op Praying
... The delays of God's help are a constant feature in His providence, and, as Jesus
says here, they are but too likely to take the life out of faith. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/three kinds op praying.htm

Prayer and Faith
... Yet faith is called upon, and that right often to wait in patience before God,
and is prepared for God's seeming delays in answering prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/i prayer and faith.htm

The Road to Rome
... Then, if you remember that they had to climb mountains the first part of the way,
that there were delays entering towns, delays of devotion when they came to ...
/.../chapter xii the road to.htm

The Formation of the CIM
... the printer. From delays in engraving and printing, it was March 12th when
the bales of pamphlets were delivered at my house. Now ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xix the formation of.htm

Of Some Certain Tokens by the which a Man May Prove Whether He be ...
... And Saint Gregory to witness, that all holy desires grow by delays: and
if they wane by delays, then were they never holy desires. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 6.htm

Letter xviii. --Desires to be Moderated.
... Nothing is so calculated to make us acquire this abnegation than the delays
we meet with in the execution of our good purposes. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xviii desires to be moderated.htm

Jesus the Joy-Bringer
... intervention at the right time. We may think that He delays, but He always
helps, 'and that right early.'. Mary's sweet humility and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/jesus the joy-bringer.htm

With those Also Who, as it were from Sleep...
... the contest, which is as it were in travail, and delayed and protracted, inasmuch
as it has not yet burst forth openly, but meditates and delays, hesitating in ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon ix with those also.htm

Delays (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Delays (2 Occurrences). Matthew 24:48 But if that evil
bondman should say in his heart, My lord delays to come, (DBY). ...
/d/delays.htm - 7k

Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... find doing thus. (DBY). Matthew 24:48 But if that evil bondman should say
in his heart, My lord delays to come, (DBY). Matthew 24:50 ...
/b/bondman.htm - 36k

Drunk (84 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart,'My lord delays his coming,' and
begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink ...
/d/drunk.htm - 34k

Delay (47 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart,'My lord delays his coming,' and
begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink ...
/d/delay.htm - 21k

Drunken (38 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart,'My lord delays his coming,' and
begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink ...
/d/drunken.htm - 18k

Delaying (6 Occurrences)

/d/delaying.htm - 8k

Delectable (2 Occurrences)

/d/delectable.htm - 7k

Maids (28 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart,'My lord delays his coming,' and
begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink ...
/m/maids.htm - 14k

Maidservants (28 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart,'My lord delays his coming,' and
begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink ...
/m/maidservants.htm - 15k

Menservants (19 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart,'My lord delays his coming,' and
begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink ...
/m/menservants.htm - 12k

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