The book of Habakkuk is a great lesson in being careful what you ask for. When the prophet complains to God about the violence, evil and injustice rampant in Judah, God responds that he’ll raise up the Babylonians to punish Judah.

God’s answer to Habakkuk’s second complaint—about the Babylonians, of course—includes one of Paul’s favorite quotes and provides the material for Naomi’s drawing.

Naomi puts the prophet at the center questioning God and has God’s famous answer—“The Righteous Live by Faith” (2:4)—appearing above him. 

From left to right are illustrations of the “five woes”: (1) “Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion” (2:6). (2) “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain” (2:9). (3) “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice” (2:12). (4) “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk” (2:15). (5) “Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up’” (2:19).

This is the sixth post of Naomi’s art from our Minor Prophets Sunday school class. Previous posts were on Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Zephaniah and Nahum & Obadiah. Naomi’s professional art is available at naomifriend.com.