Read 1 Chronicles 7 – 9
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. 1 Chronicles 9:1 KJV
Chapters 4-9 of 1 Chronicles contain the genealogies of all twelve tribes of Israel that were carried away in the Babylonian Captivity. An encouraging point is here made that all Israel was reckoned. At an earlier time the northern ten tribes of Israel were carried away by Assyria, never to be returned. Because of this, people often refer to them as the ten lost tribes of Israel. However, they were not entirely lost. In keeping with His promises, God had preserved a remnant. After the division of Israel many of the godly inhabitants of the northern ten tribes migrated to Judah with the result that the southern kingdom was inhabited by all twelve tribes. After the 70-year Babylonian Captivity, just as God had promised, all Israel was restored. Verse 3 specifically mentions Ephraim and Manasseh, as two of the larger tribes. We too can count on God to keep all His promises.
Lord, I am so glad You are a God who keeps His promises. There are times when I am discouraged and tempted to give up but then I remember Your promises and I am encouraged to continue because I know You will keep them. I can always count on You.
