Joseph uses his exile in Egypt to rise high in Pharaoh's favor. He does so through his ability to interpret dreams, and his competency as an administrator planning for the seven years of famine. Joseph then uses his position to help his starving Israelite brothers, even though they had once sold him into slavery. Due to Joseph's influence, the Israelite people are able to settle in Egypt.

Esther is another Jewish exile who helps save her people. Because of her great beauty, she is married to the Persian king, Ahasuerus. She hears from Mordecai about Haman's plot to kill all the Jews. Esther is able to turn the tables on Haman by taking the life-threatening risk of visiting her husband without being summoned. She throws herself at his feet and begs for her life and those of the other Jews. She is successful. The Jews, rather than being killed, are given the right to kill anyone who threatens them.

Daniel, sent into exile in Babylon, also is instrumental in promoting the Jewish cause. In his case, his focus is on proving that the Jewish God, YHWH, is the supreme and true God. He tries to do so when he interprets a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel is later thrown into a lion's den for praying to YHWH rather than a golden idol. God, however, shuts the lions' mouths so they cannot eat him, leading the king to acknowledge YHWH as the supreme god whose kingdom cannot be destroyed.