Gideon’s Response. God’s blessing of shalom (peace) and Gideon’s spontaneous construction of an altar to the God of shalom (Judg. 6:23–24; cf. Eph. 2:14) indicate that the new creation implied in the prophet’s message was already beginning. Shalom carries the sense of power to live, protection against the forces of death and destruction, and divine favor in all undertakings (cf. Num. 6:24–26). Shalom is living space for a community of freedom, justice, and “disciplined holiness” (see above, pp. 60–61).