Numbers

Numbers is the next book in the "Moses series" (aka the Torah or the Pentateuch).  Like Leviticus and Exodus, the contents are a combination of law giving and narrative.  However, there is much more narrative in Numbers than there is Leviticus.  The book takes place where Leviticus leaves off, however, it takes place over a much longer period of time, roughly the forty years the Israelites spend in the wilderness before entering the promised land.  It starts off with a census of all the people (while they are in the Sinai Penninsula).  This is where it presumably gets its English name.  Its name in Hebrew however is perhaps more appropriate, being "In the Wilderness".

As I mentioned earlier, is there are some laws given in Numbers.  Most of these seem to have to do with priestly issues, much like in Leviticus.  Most of the book is narrative though, including many of the most famous stories associated with Moses and the journey to the promised land (e.g., the bronze snake, Balaam's donkey, the 12 spies, etc).  The book describes the events that take place as the Israelites leave the Sinai Penninsula and enter the land of Canaan.  About half way through the book the Israelites rebel once they reach Canaan, because they don't trust God that they will be able to conquer the Canaanites.  It's at this point that God requires them to wander around for forty years (until the rebellious generation has passed on) before they can enter the new land.  Eventually a new generation comes of age, and is less rebellious than the previous one.  As the book ends, it describes how Joshua will take Moses' place to lead the people into the promise land.  God tells the people additional laws for them to hold to once they are in the promised land.

One thing I've found interesting as I've been going through these books of Moses is how most of the narratives I remember from Sunday school as a child all comes from essentially two books: Exodus and Numbers.  Exodus being about the leaving of Egypt, and Numbers being about wandering in the desert.  It won't be until we get to Joshua, though, that they actually enter the promised land.