Daniel, speaking of God’s judgment, says, “The
judgment was set, and the books were opened,” Dan. vii, 10. This is an
allusion to what was practised when a prince called his servants to
account. The accounts are produced and examined. It is possible he might
allude, also, to a custom of the Persians, among whom it was a constant
practice every day to write down the services rendered to the king, and
the rewards given to those who had performed them. Of this we see an
instance in the history of Ahasuerus and Mordecai, Esther iv, 12, 34.
When, therefore, the king sits in judgment, the books are opened: he
obliges all his servants to reckon with him; he punishes those who have
failed in their duty; he compels those to pay who are indebted to him;
and he rewards those who have done him services. A similar proceeding
will take place at the day of God’s final judgment.
judgment was set, and the books were opened,” Dan. vii, 10. This is an
allusion to what was practised when a prince called his servants to
account. The accounts are produced and examined. It is possible he might
allude, also, to a custom of the Persians, among whom it was a constant
practice every day to write down the services rendered to the king, and
the rewards given to those who had performed them. Of this we see an
instance in the history of Ahasuerus and Mordecai, Esther iv, 12, 34.
When, therefore, the king sits in judgment, the books are opened: he
obliges all his servants to reckon with him; he punishes those who have
failed in their duty; he compels those to pay who are indebted to him;
and he rewards those who have done him services. A similar proceeding
will take place at the day of God’s final judgment.