Page 337 - Radical Love by Linda Robinson_FEB2025

SESSION 19

love. Her tenacity paid off, and He finally opened up to her the place

of ceasing from works. Her story has encouraged me to continue
leaning into my Beloved until the same applies to me—and I hope for

you too!

In the latter section of verse 5, the Bridegroom-King reminds the

Shulamite of how she was born again and how, purely by grace, she

began to experience a deep hunger and thirst to know Him intimately.
The awakening under the apple tree signifies her growing awareness of

His beauty and goodness, as she spent time feasting on His Word,
remaining in His presence, and basking in His love.

Apples are a symbol of love. In the NIV version, it reads:

“Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you,
there she who was in labour gave you birth.”

Here, we can glean a different perspective from the Passion
Translation, because the reference to her mother conceiving her is again

referring to the church. The church has a commission to birth spiritual

children and nurture and encourage them to grow into disciples.

This is the beginning of most of our spiritual journeying. However, as

I mentioned earlier, we will not grow strong if we rely solely on what
Mother Church provides. To progress in spiritual matters, we must take

the initiative ourselves and set aside regular times with God alone.

The Shulamite has accomplished this and has now reached a

commendable stage in her spiritual journey. But there is still something

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