Delay, divine

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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.

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God delays to allow for repentance

To give time for repentance

Lk 13:6–9; Ro 2:4; 2 Pe 3:8–9
See also Mt 3:7–11; 1 Ti 2:4; Jas 5:7; Re 2:21

In response to repentance

1 Kings 21:29 ESV
“Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”
See also 1 Ki 21:21–28

Where there is no repentance, God does not delay

Ezekiel 12:25 ESV
For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”
See also Eze 21:24–26; Re 2:16

God delays judgment for the sake of his name

Isaiah 48:9 ESV
“For my name’s sake I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off.
See also Ne 9:30–31

Jesus Christ delayed visiting Lazarus for God’s glory

John 11:1–6 ESV
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. 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, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.
See also Jn 11:11–23; Jn 11:38–44

The giving of the Holy Spirit was delayed until Pentecost

Luke 24:49 ESV
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
See also Ac 1:4; Ac 2:1–4

God acts when he wants and nothing can delay him

Heb 10:37 Referring to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
See also Hab 2:3 Referring to the Lord’s delay in sending the Babylonians to conquer Judah and take her inhabitants into exile; Re 22:20

Other examples of delay

Exodus 32:1 ESV
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”
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