Why did God Wait Such a Long Time?

I’m going to answer a question that I’ve heard asked many times in my life, and one that has been asked for at least 500 years, when the Bible became widely available, widely being a relative term. But first, we need some context.

Context

The 11th chapter in the Book of Hebrews is famous among regenerated Christians. It opens, in verse one, with “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” It contains a verse we should all memorize: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

The 11th chapter contains the “Hall of Faith,” recounting people throughout the Old Testament who trusted in God, ignoring the cost. From Abel through the prophets of God, the author reminds us of their faith in God and the suffering they endured to remain faithful, telling us, “Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.” I’ve only scratched the surface, but this should be enough for the question and answer.

The Question

The question is this: “Why did God wait such a long time before the Son of God became flesh – before Jesus was born?”

That’s a good question, one I asked myself. I had often wondered why Jesus didn’t come as soon as Adam sinned. Why did so many people, for such a long time, have to live and die in a sinful, wicked world?

The Answer

I have good news! The answer to this question is found at the end of the 11th chapter in the Book of Hebrews.

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” – Hebrews 11:39-40

God had them wait so that we may join them, and then together we enter into the completed work of Jesus. As the “Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges” points out:

The “just” had not been, and could not be, “perfected” (Hebrews 12:23) until Christ had died (Hebrews 7:19, Hebrews 8:6). The implied thought is that if Christ had come in their days—if the “close of the ages” had fallen in the times of the Patriarchs or Prophets—the world would long ago have ended, and we should never have been born. – Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

God’s plan was that the completion of salvation for the Old Testament saints was delayed until all who would be saved after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection would together enter into the presence of God in heaven so that we all will equally enjoy the benefits of Christ’s redemption.

A Strange Symbiotic Relationship

There seems to be a kind of symbiotic relationship between the Old Testament (OT) saints and the New Testament (NT) saints that spans millennia. All the Scriptures quoted in the NT are from the OT. And the acts of the OT saints encourage us to press on. Then there is the delay in the fulfillment of the faith of Old Testament saints. They had to wait for Jesus and His new covenant.

We find that all of the believers in Jesus will be united. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 speaks of the dead in Christ rising first, and then those who are alive in Christ “will be caught up together with them.”

So there you have it. Why did God wait? He waited for us. How long will He wait? No one can answer. But we know from Scripture that God won’t wait forever. So, as an old evangelist said, “We need to be paid up, prayed up, and ready to go!”

Live for Jesus. That’s what matters.