The Wake-Up Call

Host: Andrew Forrest (Senior Pastor, Asbury Church, Tulsa, OK)
Episode: How to Make a Portable Eden
Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Andrew Forrest delves into a seemingly mundane yet deeply meaningful section of Exodus (Exodus 25:31-36), unpacking how the instructions for building the Tabernacle’s lampstand reveal God’s intent to create a “portable Eden”—a symbolic restoration of humanity’s original intimacy with God. He explores the relevance of ancient blueprints for today’s spiritual challenges of discouragement and confusion, encouraging listeners to seek God’s presence as the remedy for both.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Scripture Reading and Initial Reflection

• [01:12] Scripture: Exodus 25:31-36 — God’s detailed instructions for making the golden lampstand (menorah) for the Tabernacle, described with floral and natural imagery.
• Andrew highlights how these often-skipped passages are crucial to understanding God’s larger narrative in the Bible.

2. The Tabernacle as a “Portable Eden”

• [02:20] Main Idea: The Tabernacle’s design intentionally echoes Eden’s imagery and meaning.
  • “When you realize that the blueprints given in Exodus 25 are actually about creating a portable Eden, the whole rest of the Bible begins to make more sense.” (Andrew Forrest, 02:24)
• Summary of Biblical Narrative:
  • Humanity’s creation in God’s image, life in Eden, the fall into mistrust and exile.
  • God’s covenant with Abraham and the calling of Israel to restore His presence to humanity.
  • The Tabernacle is God’s way of dwelling among His people once more.
  • Quote: “‘And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.’ – Exodus 25:8” (quoted by Andrew, 03:31)

3. Lampstand Imagery: The Tree of Life

• [04:30] Tabernacle furniture, especially the lampstand, is made to look like a blossoming tree (almond blossoms, calyxes, flowers).
  • “The plan for the lampstand is obviously to make it look like a tree... they are meant to kind of make an actual tree-like image in the lampstand.” (Andrew Forrest, 07:10)
• Significance: The Tabernacle is a microcosm of Eden, restoring access to God and the symbolic Tree of Life.

4. Application: Presence of God in Our Lives

• [05:08] Andrew discusses personal discouragement and confusion.
  • “I can’t be the only person who number one, faces discouragement. Number two, faces confusion.”
  • Remedy: “The solution to both discouragement and confusion is to spend time with the Lord. The more we experience the Lord’s presence, the more convinced we are that in the end everything will be okay.” (Andrew Forrest, 05:53)
• Presence of God changes our perspective and gives strength to persist, even if difficult circumstances remain.

5. The Word “Calyx”: Seeing the Beauty in Detail

• [07:00] Andrew focuses on the word “calyx”—the green part beneath flower petals—as a striking detail.
  • “Here’s what a calyx is. A calyx is that like green part under the petals of a flower, the bud that kind of opens up. And so you can see that they’re meant to kind of make an actual tree-like image in the lampstand.” (Andrew Forrest, 07:16)
  • He shares the joy of learning new, overlooked words and details in Scripture.

6. Beauty in Worship Spaces

• [07:47] Andrew critiques the “utilitarian” nature of modern church architecture.
  • “What if we took inspiration from the tent the Lord has the Israelites construct in the desert and decided that spaces dedicated to the worship of God ought to be the most beautiful and best spaces we could build.” (Andrew Forrest, 07:59)
• The call: build beautiful, meaningful places for God’s presence, mirroring the intention behind the Tabernacle.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On understanding Exodus:
  “When you understand one little word in this passage, the entire Bible will begin to make more sense.” (Andrew Forrest, 00:50)

• On life’s struggles:
  “It’s not that the bad things go away when we spend time with the Lord. It’s that we become more convinced that somehow and some way everything is going to be okay.” (Andrew Forrest, 06:30)

• On hope and perseverance:
  “If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end. And if it’s not the end, then the Lord still has work for us to do.” (Andrew Forrest, 05:58)

• On worship spaces:
  “Spaces dedicated to the worship of God ought to be the most beautiful and best spaces we could build.” (Andrew Forrest, 07:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 – Introduction, context, and prayer
• 01:12 – Scripture reading (Exodus 25:31-36)
• 02:20 – The Tabernacle as a “portable Eden”
• 03:31 – Biblical background and the purpose of God dwelling among His people
• 04:30 – Lampstand’s tree-like imagery
• 05:08 – Addressing discouragement and confusion through God’s presence
• 07:00 – The meaning and significance of “calyx”
• 07:47 – The importance of beauty in worship spaces
• 08:36 – Closing hymn: “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” (sung verses 1 and 3)

Journal Prompts (08:20)

Andrew offers these questions for reflection:

1. How does the Old Testament change if you think of the tabernacle as a portable Eden?
2. Why is it a mercy that sinful humans do not live forever?
3. Is there a particular place in your life today where you need more encouragement and hope?

Memorable Closing

• Hymn: “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend ([08:36–10:13]).
• Andrew encourages listeners to seek God’s closeness, beauty in daily life, and hope in His ongoing presence.

Tone: Warm, reflective, lightly humorous, and deeply encouraging—Andrew’s language is accessible and pastoral throughout.

“Seeing the tabernacle as like this portable Eden is really lovely and beautiful, and I hope you find it encouraging.”
—Andrew Forrest, 08:32