Zechariah 12:2,3

All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces

Sin self-punishment

There is in this passage a principle by which the governor of the world punishes malicious men.

That principle is this, in the reaction of their efforts to injure others to injury of themselves. Jerusalem would become confusion and destruction to the men who sought its ruin.

1. Jerusalem would become a “cup of trembling,” or “intoxication.”

2. Jerusalem would become to them a “burdensome stone.”

The idea is, that in their endeavours to injure Jerusalem they would crush themselves.

I. It is well attested. It is attested by every man’s consciousness. Every man who attempts to injure another feels sooner or later that he has injured himself. There is a recoil and a regret. In truth, the malign passion itself is its own punishment. In every malign emotion there is misery.

2. It is attested by universal history. The conduct of Joseph’s brethren, and of Haman, may be cited as illustrations; but the conduct of the Jews towards the Messiah is an example for all times, most mighty and impressive.

II. It is manifestly just. What man thus punished can complain of the righteousness of his sufferings? He must feel, and feel deeply, that he has deserved all, and even more than he endures.

III. It is essentially beneficent. It serves--

1. To guard men from the injuries of others.

2. To restrain the angry passions of men. (Homilist.)