Inaugural Speech Overview & A Challenge

I like what what writer Aaron Zalinsky said about the inaugural address:

“President Barack Obama’s inaugural address was good, but not truly canonical. At 2,396 words, Obama’s full speech was too cumbersome for the front row of history (for reference, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural was 698 words; the Gettysburg Address was 278). Nevertheless, the inaugural address contained many passages that will enter into the mystic chords of memory.”

I (Jason) regret I wasn’t able to watch the speech live, but I still was able to watch it via the internet shortly there after, and these are some of the key quotes that struck a chord with me.

1. “We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.”

Obama quotes 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” These lines address both the country and the man speaking them: Obama is no longer campaigning, but governing, and with the Presidency come all the obligations and responsibilities of leadership. Interestingly, Obama also deviates from the traditional King James text, using “set aside” instead of “put aside.”

2. “Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity.”

Obama reaffirms his faith in the American free market system, while noting the need for change. The final line is an example of the rhetorical device polyptoton, the use of the same word in varied forms. There are two prior famous uses of polyptoton in inaugural addresses: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (FDR, 1933), and “Not as a call to battle, though embattled we are” (JFK, 1961).

3. ” [O]ur power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”

Here, Obama outlines a fundamental aspect of his vision for the source of American power: underlying commitments to fairness and justness supported by military strength.

4. “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers.”

Although not rhetorically notable, this line is semi-impressive in its inclusiveness. Previous paeans to America’s diversity generally focus on the multitude of different God-fearing religions; rarely do they cast so inclusive a net. I find that both fascinating, and a little scary.:)

5. “‘Let it be told to the future world … that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it).’ America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words.”

Here, Obama quotes Thomas Paine’s The Crisis, which George Washington ordered read to his men at Valley Forge. Obama uses Paine as a springboard for the most memorable phrase of the speech, “this winter of our hardship.” This construction too had a noble history: Shakespeare’s Richard III opens with a similar line, “Now is the winter of our discontent.”

6. “With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.”

This is the peroration of the speech, the emotional close at the conclusion. Here, the ship of state sails on into the future, with an eye toward the challenges which await. These lines also recall the end of the Sermon on the Mount, recounted in Matthew, where houses built on the firm foundations will survive the coming storms. Abraham Lincoln also referenced the Sermon in his second inaugural, exhorting the country “let us judge not, that we be not judged.” The reference to storms ahead also links the final words of the speech back to the opening mention of “gathering clouds and raging storms.”

Regardless if you agree, or even voted for the new leadership of our country? That’s not the most important element at this time in history. What is more important, and even imperative is, that we the “Church”, those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ pray for our new commander and chief, and those in positions of power. For we know very well what the bible says “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Lastly, I challenge you to pray daily for our countries leadership. Why? God mandates it!  Our children and our children’s, children, will reap the benefits of remnants of Christ followers that loved God, and stood up for what is right. Will you join me in petitioning our heavenly Daddy?

Selah!!