Hebrew Word Study – The Established Place  – HaGom – Gimmel Vav Mem

Genesis 28:11: “And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put [them for] his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.”

Ex 33:20-21 “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live, (21) And the LORD said, Behold, [there is] a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

Genesis 28:11 is a very curious verse with the use of the word qom or place. Jacob met God here in a vision of a ladder running from earth to heaven. The text tells us that Jacob “lighted upon the place and he lay down in the place.” This word place or qom in Hebrew means a rise, or an establishment.  It also means claiming rights, establishing or existing independently.  This is the same word used in Exodus 20:21 when Moses asked to see the glory or lovingkindness of God. 

In each one of these verses qom is preceded by a definite article, the place.  This was not an arbitrary spot, but was a special place, a self existing place, a foundation, place established for a specific purpose. Jacob was to lay his head down upon a rock in this special place. The Talmud teaches that this is the same place that Abraham offered Isaac up as a sacrificial offering.  It is also the place that the Holy of Holies sat in the temple.  Jacob called The place Bethel, the house of God. This word qom is more than just a place, it is a trysting place, a place where lovers meet. It is a special place where we go to meet God. Sure, God is with us all the time, but He also has these special places where we can go to escape from the things of this world and just rest with Him in a loving relationship, to share our hearts with each other. Just like two lovers seek to hide away in their special little place where no one can find them, what we call a trysting place. A secret rendezvous place to be with God. 

Do you have such a place?  Years ago, when I was going through a very difficult time in my life, I was given permission to go into a warehouse at night, after it closed down and I could spend as much time alone in that warehouse as I wanted to worship and pray.  They only asked that I clean their little office space and once I was done with that I was free to worship and pray.  After many days I discovered a special spot in that warehouse, it was right by the loading docks. When I walked into that qom, that place, I instantly felt the presence of God, when I stepped out of that spot, that overwhelming presence of peace and joy diminished.  I stepped in and out of my qom and each time with the same results. It was my trysting place where I could meet with God in a special way to share my heart with Him. 

There was a faith based movie out some time ago called the War Room where a woman who was going through a difficult time cleaned out a closet and just dedicated it to a room where she prayed. It was a special room, it was a qom.  She called it her War Room.

Even Jesus had His special place where he would go.  He would leave his disciples and go off alone in a garden to pray. Jesus set the example for us, He was our model to find that special place where we can go and God can sooth our troubled minds. 

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