Final answer:
George Washington's reference to the ancient Hebrew blessing and the New Jerusalem served as a metaphor for the United States as a nation with a special destiny and a dedication to preserving liberty and justice, much like the sacred covenant given to the Hebrews.
Step-by-step explanation:
George Washington referred to the ancient Hebrew blessing and vision of the New Jerusalem as a metaphor to articulate the hopes for the new nation, the United States of America. The Hebrews were seen as God's chosen people who were given a sacred covenant and a promise of a land filled with peace and prosperity. By drawing this parallel, Washington was casting the United States in a similar light, as a chosen nation with a special destiny, tasked with upholding liberty and justice.
The preservation of liberty, as mentioned in Washington's inaugural speech, has a profound relevance to the new nation as it was not just a political system that was being established, but rather a set of ideals based on freedom and self-governance. This echoed the ancient aspirations for a New Jerusalem, symbolizing a new beginning and a new moral horizon. The reference served as inspiration and a benchmark for the new country to aim for a society as envisioned by the founding fathers, one where laws and freedoms are preserved in the hands of its citizens.