6 people
Exile and return
Jerusalem fell to Babylon, and God's people were carried far from home. Some, like Daniel and Esther, stayed faithful in foreign courts. Decades later small groups returned under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah to rebuild the temple and the city walls.
Ezekiel
The Investigator
A priest in exile who saw God's glory leave the temple, and a river of life flow back.
Daniel
The Reformer
A captive who served pagan kings for seventy years and never stopped praying toward home.
Esther
The Peacemaker
An orphan made queen, who kept quiet about who she was until silence would cost her people.
Mordecai
The Challenger
A Jew at the king's gate who would not bow to Haman, and told Esther this was her moment.
Ezra
The Reformer
A scribe who set his heart to study God's law, live it, and teach it to a people starting over.
Nehemiah
The Reformer
A royal cupbearer who left the palace to rebuild a broken city, and would not come down off the wall.