Why is there a rumour that a great commotion is coming out of the north country?

Jeremiah envisions someone raising the alarm in Judah. A voice raises a desperate and urgent alarm, a great commotion is coming out of the north country. The Hebrew word used for commotion is raas and is a word that is used to describe the impact of an earthquake that destroys everything.¹ Here the commotion will be caused by an invading enemy from the north. Later this enemy will be identified as Babylons army. When they come, they will make the cities of Judah a desolation, a lair of jackals. All the places of safety and refuge in Judah will be turned into desolate places not fit or safe for human inhabitants. Again, this reminds the reader of the promised curse that would come on Israel if she continued in covenant unfaithfulness. That curse is now inevitable.