Delays by God do not result from any failure on his part, but reflect unrealistic human expectations concerning his actions. God delays his vengeance in order to give time for human repentance.
God delays to allow for repentance
To give time for repentance
Luke 13:6–9; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:8–9 See also Matthew 3:7–11 parallel Luke 3:7–10; 1 Timothy 2:4; James 5:7; Revelation 2:21
Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.’”
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: 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.
In response to repentance
1 Kings 21:29 See also 1 Kings 21:21–28
“Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.”
Where there is no repentance, God does not delay
Ezekiel 12:25 See also Ezekiel 21:24–26; Revelation 2:16
because I, the LORD, will speak whatever word I speak, and it will be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak a message and bring it to pass, declares the Lord GOD.’”
God delays judgment for the sake of his name
Isaiah 48:9 See also Nehemiah 9:30–31
For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off.
Jesus Christ delayed visiting Lazarus for God's glory
John 11:1–6 See also John 11:11–23, John 11:38–44
At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.” When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So on hearing that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two days,
The giving of the Holy Spirit was delayed until Pentecost
Luke 24:49 See also Acts 1:4, Acts 2:1–4
And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
God acts when he wants and nothing can delay him
Hebrews 10:37 Referring to the second coming of Jesus Christ. See also Habakkuk 2:3 Referring to the LORD's delay in sending the Babylonians to conquer Judah and take her inhabitants into exile; Revelation 22:20
For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
Other examples of delay
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.