Jeremiah 8:1-3 - The survivors will prefer to die

8:1,2

The Jews placed great importance on burial of the dead. Indeed, we all place importance on proper burial or cremation of the dead, it is such an important part of the grieving process. However, the destruction that was about to come would be so terrible that even the dead bodies would be disturbed. This would be in keeping with their idol worship. For they had worshipped the sun, moon and stars, so their dead bodies would be exposed and look up to the sun, moon and the stars. They would be with the things they worshipped! How much better to worship the true God and then be with Him forever once we die.

8:3

Many would die in the onslaught, but those that survived would wish they had been killed. “This evil nation” is referring to Judah! The sin of the nation was terrible, so the fate of the nation would be equally terrible.