Lesson 30: “Come to the House of the Lord”

Purpose: To inspire each class member to receive the promised blessings that come from temple work and scripture study.

Scriptural Background: Hezekiah became king of Judah at age 25. His teen years were filled with impressions from the lifestyle of his wicked and idolatrous father, King Ahaz. Yet Hezekiah rose above that influence to become a zealous religious and political reformer. "He trusted in the Lord God of Israel...[and] kept his commandments. ...And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth". (Hezekiah's Tunnel Vision, by Charles A. Muldowney. Ensign, September 2002)

To help defend Jerusalem against attacks by the Assyrians, King Hezekiah diverted the water of the spring of Gihon to the pool of Siloam, inside the city walls (2 Chronicles 32:2–4, 30; Bible Dictionary, “Hezekiah’s Tunnel,” 702). This was done by digging a conduit (tunnel) for the water through about 1770 feet of limestone rock. Hezekiah then ordered that the fountains outside the city be covered to deny the Assyrians easy access to the water. Without this water inside the walls of the city, the people of Jerusalem would not have survived the siege by the Assyrians.

Just as the water from the spring of Gihon was vital for the physical survival of Hezekiah’s people during their battles with the Assyrians, living water is essential for our spiritual survival during our battles with Satan.





Study the following scriptures (2 Chronicles 29–30; 32; 34):

a. 2 Chronicles 29–30. Hezekiah, king of Judah, opens the doors of the temple and instructs the priests and Levites to cleanse and sanctify it for worship (29:1–19). When the temple is cleansed, Hezekiah and his people worship together and praise the Lord (29:20–36). Hezekiah invites all Israel to come to the temple in Jerusalem (30:1–9). Some laugh at the invitation, but the faithful of Israel worship the Lord in Jerusalem (30:10–27).

b. 2 Chronicles 32:1–23. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invades Judah and speaks against the Lord (32:1–19). Isaiah and Hezekiah pray for help, and an angel of the Lord destroys much of the Assyrian army (32:20–23).

c. 2 Chronicles 34. After Hezekiah’s son and grandson rule in wickedness, Hezekiah’s great-grandson Josiah becomes king of Judah. Josiah destroys the idols in the kingdom and repairs the temple (34:1–13). The book of the law is found in the temple and read to Josiah, who weeps when he learns how far the people have strayed from the law (34:14–21). Huldah the prophetess tells of the forthcoming desolation of Judah but prophesies that Josiah will not have to witness it (34:22–28). Josiah and his people covenant to serve the Lord (2 Chronicles 34:29–33).


Questions to Consider (we'll talk about these in class...I would LOVE your insight!):
• What can we learn from Hezekiah about the proper relationship between trusting in our own efforts and trusting in the Lord? (See 2 Chronicles 32:7–8.)

• While Josiah and his people were at the temple, what did they covenant to do? (See 2 Chronicles 34:31–33.) How can we prepare to make the sacred temple covenants? Once we have made these covenants, why is it important that we return to the temple as often as possible?