John Calvin Commentary Joshua 4:14

"On that day Jehovah magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life." — Joshua 4:14 (ASV)

On that day the Lord magnified, etc. It was not indeed the primary purpose of the miracle to proclaim Joshua’s preeminence in power and authority. But since it greatly concerned the public interest that Joshua’s government should be firmly established, it is rightly noted as an additional instance of divine favor that he was, so to speak, adorned with sacred insignia to make him revered in the eyes of the people and to prevent anyone from presuming to despise him. For a disorderly multitude, not ruled by a leader, disintegrates and falls apart on its own. The Lord, therefore, to provide for the safety of His people, distinguished Joshua by a special mark declaring his calling.

From this passage we can learn that God specially commends to us all those through whom He displays His excellent work, and requires us to give them proper honor and reverence. When it is said that the people feared Joshua as they had feared Moses, if anyone should object that the statement is refuted by the many seditions and tumults they stirred up against him—not only unjustifiably but furiously—the answer is straightforward: this statement does not apply to the entire period from their departure out of Egypt. Instead, it refers only to the time when, subdued by plagues and humbled, they began to be properly obedient to Moses. For what is described here is a tranquil government, as if they had laid aside their former perverseness, especially when the rebellious parents were dead and a better generation had succeeded them. Consequently, we do not read that there was any difficulty in governing and guiding them. I will now only briefly refer to what I have already explained. For when Joshua at the beginning exhorted them to obedience, they said that they would be obedient as they had been to Moses.