Which direction did the tabernacle face?
The tabernacle faced east. The instruction shows it was always set the same way, with east as its facing direction and west and south also noted. As man approached God, he came from that direction, where the brazen altar stood, with the ark of the covenant and mercy seat farther in.
Les explains that the tabernacle faced east and was always set the same way, with west and south also identified. He notes that as man would approach God, he had to come from that eastern direction. The brazen altar was there for sacrifices, while the ark of the covenant and mercy seat were the place the high priest came once a year to sprinkle. Les points out that God begins His instruction with the furniture at the back, the ark, because salvation must begin with Himself; man does not look for and find God.