Why does Exodus 18:12 lack priestly procedures or tabernacle sacrifices, unlike later instructions, when Jethro offers sacrifices with Israelite elders?

Historical and Literary Context

Exodus 18 takes place before the detailed instructions for the tabernacle and the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. At this juncture, Moses and the Israelites have recently escaped Egypt (Exodus 14) and encountered hardships in the wilderness (Exodus 15–17). The visit from Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, appears right before Israel’s arrival at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:1–2), where they receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and comprehensive instructions on priestly regulations (Exodus 25–31).

In this earlier chapter, Scripture notes: “Then Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel came with Moses’ father-in-law to eat bread in the presence of God.” (Exodus 18:12). The simplicity of this account reflects a worship practice in a transitional period, prior to the official covenantal structure and prescribed sacrificial protocols found later in Exodus and Leviticus.

Timing of the Tabernacle Instructions

The tabernacle and its intricate rituals are not instituted until after the lawgiving at Mount Sinai (Exodus 25–31, 35–40). Thus, when Jethro offers sacrifices in Exodus 18:12, no formal worship center exists, and the people have not yet received the full scope of priestly regulations.

Until that point, sacrifices typically followed earlier patterns found in the lives of the patriarchs (e.g., Genesis 8:20; Genesis 12:7–8; Genesis 22:9–14). Throughout Scripture, certain details emphasize worship of the one true God even before the official sacrificial system, illustrating a continuity of devotion that culminates in the tabernacle and subsequent temple worship.

The Role of Jethro

Jethro is introduced as “the priest of Midian” (Exodus 3:1; 18:1). Biblical narrative presents him as someone who honors the same God worshiped by the Israelites, even though he comes from Midian. In Exodus 18:10–11, he exclaims, “Blessed be the LORD … Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods...”. This declaration is consistent with a reverence for the God of Israel.

When Jethro offers sacrifices to God in Exodus 18:12, he does so alongside Israel’s leaders. His role is not to replace the priestly duties soon to be designated for Aaron and his descendants. Rather, this event displays a moment of unified worship acknowledging God’s provision and might.

Pre-Priesthood Worship

In the pre-priesthood era, offerings were not held to the yet-to-be-revealed standards of Levitical law. For instance, Abraham built altars and called on the name of the Lord (Genesis 12:7–8), and Noah offered burnt offerings after the Flood (Genesis 8:20). These examples point to a pattern of genuine worship without the formality of an established priestly order.

Following the giving of the Law, the priestly ministry becomes a central, God-ordained channel through which Israel approaches Him. Before that official institution, key figures like Noah, Abraham, and later Jethro could offer sacrifices in a manner accepted by God, emphasizing heartfelt worship and reverence rather than the as-yet undisclosed ceremonial details.

Sacrifices and Eating in the Presence of God

Exodus 18:12 mentions a communal meal: “Aaron and all the elders of Israel came with Moses’ father-in-law to eat bread in the presence of God”. This meal describes fellowship between worshipers and God—a practice continued in different forms throughout Israelite and later Christian tradition.

In later Levitical law, certain fellowship offerings allowed worshipers to eat portions of the sacrifice in a holy setting (Leviticus 3; 7:11–21). While the official system had not been spelled out in Exodus 18, the underlying principle of communion with God and communal worship remains constant.

Archaeological and Manuscript Corroboration

Archaeological findings such as the Merneptah Stele (c. 1200 BC) attest to a people group called “Israel” in Canaan, strengthening the historical plausibility of an exodus community settling in that region. Preserved manuscripts from Qumran (e.g., the Dead Sea Scrolls) bear witness to the transmission fidelity of Pentateuchal texts, linking modern readings of Exodus to very ancient traditions.

Such historical and textual evidence supports the reliability of the Exodus narrative as an authentic account of Israel’s early history and dealings with worship. While details of worship development become more elaborate later in Torah, the core consistency of a single God being worshiped is present even in episodes such as Jethro’s sacrifice.

Theological Significance

This passage illustrates that God’s covenant with Israel unfolds progressively. The absence of the fully formed priestly system does not negate the reverence offered to God; rather, it shows that the hearts of the worshipers mattered foremost, even in transitional epochs.

The event also underscores that God’s work is not limited to Israel alone. Jethro, coming from Midian, testifies to God’s greatness, and his offerings depict a foretaste of God’s name being exalted beyond Israel’s own national boundaries—a broader theme seen throughout Scripture (e.g., Psalm 86:9).

Conclusion

In Exodus 18:12, Jethro’s offering of sacrifices reflects a genuine devotion in an era before formal priestly regulations were revealed. Worship was guided by a foundational acknowledgement of the one true God rather than by laws still awaiting delivery at Sinai. This communal act of sacrifice and fellowship underscores the continuity of faith from the patriarchs through Sinai and into the priestly system to come.

No contradiction exists between Jethro’s sacrifice and later prescriptions for worship. Instead, the text highlights a period of transitional worship, affirming that all devotion—when genuinely directed toward the God of Israel—holds significance, as God would soon establish a priestly order and a covenantal system to further define and enrich Israel’s relationship with Him.