They were facing west
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The gate of the sanctuary was located on the easten side and the Most Holy place was positioned on the west side of the sanctuary. One had to enter the sanctuary with the back towards the east, facing west. It was opposite the way Adam and Eve left the garden facing east with their backs towards the west. As we read Ezekiel 8:15,16 says," 15Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. 16And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east." Later on the Lord reminded them in 1 kings8:59,60"59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: 60That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else." In
Exodus 27:16 we read,"16And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four."
The children of Israel camped around the sanctuary and the priests camped closest to the sanctuary. The High priest was at the main entrance on the east.
The families camped as follows:- East: The families of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. North: The families of Naphtali, Dan, and Asher. South :The families of Gad, Reuben and Simeon. West: The families of Mannasseh, Ephraim and Benjamin.
As we enter the New Jeruaslem through the gates, we will remember Adam and Eve's departure from the Garden.
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