Gospel Doctrine OT c30: Hezekiah, House of the Lord

Gospel Doctrine OT c30 – Hezekiah, House of the Lord

2 Chronicles 29-34

________________________________________________________________________________

Megalim video on Hezekiah’s Tunnel

From the manual:

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”). 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.

Water from the spring was vital for the physical survival of Hezekiah’s people during their battles with the Assyrians. Living water (Jesus Christ, John 4:13-14) is essential for our spiritual survival during our battles with Satan.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that living water is “the words of eternal life, the message of salvation, the truths about God and his kingdom; it is the doctrines of the gospel” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary).

??How can we open a conduit to the Lord so that living water can flow in our lives??

(Temple, Scriptures)

______________________________________

Genealogy of Kings:

Ahaz – who is he? 2Chron 28:22, 24-25 – bad guy

Hezekiah – who is he? 2Chron 29:3-6 – good guy

            He opened the temple

What is the first thing he did with the temple? Sanctified and cleansed it because of v6, people had trespassed and turned away.

??In what ways might we also be guilty of “turning away our faces from the habitation of the Lord?

??How does returning to the temple turn our faces toward the Lord in a practical way?

__________________________________________

Sennacherib is ready to attack. What does Hezekiah do?

1. he prepares 2 Chron 32:2-5

2. he has faith 2 Chron 32:6-8

??What can we learn from Hezekiah about the proper relationship between trusting in our own efforts and trusting in the Lord?

Sennacherib send servants to intimidate Hezekiah and his people.

Servants speech: 2Chron 32:10-18

??Is Satan giving the same speech today? How?

??In what ways does Satan try to convince us that God cannot or will not help us?

How did Hezekiah react to the words of the servants? He prayed. (Isaiah 37:14-20)

___________________________________________

Genealogy of the Kings:

Ahaz

Hezekiah made king at 25 years old/  Ruled for 29 years

Manassah – 12 yo / 55 yrs – bad, taken captive and repented, turned out so-so

Amon – 22 yo / 2 yrs – bad, servants conspired against him and killed him

Josiah – 8 yo / 31 yrs

Who was Josiah? 2 Chron 34:2-3 – he destroyed idolatry and repaired the temple, during which time they made a discovery. 2Chron 34:14 – a book of the law of Moses, or in other words, the scriptures

Josiah seeks further understanding from prophetess, Huldah.

Huldah said: 2 Chron 34:23-25, which is very concerning to Josiah.

But for the righteous followers she said: 2 Chron 34:26-28.

What did Josiah do? 2 Chron 34:30-33, he shared the scriptures with his people and they covenanted.

??How are we using the scriptures?

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson (YW Gen Pres) said: “help the youth understand, as they read the words within the scriptures, that they are hearing the voice of Jesus Christ and becoming familiar with who He is.”

(quoted in Church News 8/10/14, Seminary ad Institutes of Religion Training Broadcast on Aug. 5)

Pres. Spencer W. Kimball said: “The Lord is not trifling with us when he gives us these things, for ‘unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.’ (Luke 12:48).  Access to these things means responsibility for them. WE must study the scriptures according to the Lord’s commandment (see 3N 23:1-5); and we must let them govern our lives” (“How Rare a Possession – the Scriptures!” Ensign, Sept. 1976)