What was Spain's status before it expelled the Jews in 1492?
Before expelling its Jews in 1492, Spain was riding the crest of national power and empire, a dominant world force. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella then decreed that every Jew must leave Spain, convert to Catholicism, or be dead, causing a great exodus.
Les explains that Spain serves as a prime example. Before 1492, Spain was riding on the crest of national power and empire, and Spaniards were the explorers who covered much of North America. Then in 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella made the decree that every Jew would either be out of Spain, convert to Catholicism, or be dead by a certain day. A great exodus of Jews followed. Les points out that within a hundred years, Spain was nothing, just a blip on history. He ties this to the covenant promise that God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse them, showing that empires which turn on the Jew go down.