Part I

In the opening scene of The Green Pastures, Reverend Deshee gathers a lively group of children around him in a Louisiana town, weaving tales from the first five chapters of Genesis as the eager young minds pepper him with curious questions.

Scene II whisks us away to a celestial fish fry in a pre-Creation Heaven, where angels of all ages gather. An Archangel makes a grand entrance to distribute diplomas to the children, moments before Gabriel and then God Himself arrive. With a discerning taste, God decides the boiled custard needs a dash more "firmament" and performs a miracle to conjure it. Yet, the excess firmament rains down, prompting God to create Earth to absorb it, and man to cultivate this new world.

In Scene III, we find Adam alone on this freshly crafted Earth. God informs him that he needs a family and creates Eve while Adam rests. The pair, however, taste the forbidden fruit, leading to their expulsion from Eden and the birth of their sons, Cain and Abel.

Scene IV unveils a tragic moment as God descends to discover Cain has slain Abel with a stone, claiming it was because Abel made a "fool" of him in the field. God mourns the "crime" and bids Cain to wander far from his homeland.

In Scene V, a disheartened Cain encounters a young woman by a country road. She agrees to be his companion, taking him to her father's house for shelter.

Scene VI shifts to "God’s private office in Heaven," where He muses to Gabriel about His absence from Earth for centuries and resolves to visit once more.

On a Sunday in Scene VII, God roams Earth, witnessing people indulging in gambling and revelry rather than attending church. He joins Noah, a country preacher, who confides his despair over the people's waning faith. Noah invites God to dine with his wife.

Scene VIII unfolds at Noah's home as God drafts plans for an ark, cautioning Noah of a deluge intended to cleanse the world of its sinners, sparing only Noah's family.

In Scene IX, amid neighbors' ridicule, Noah and his sons laboriously construct the ark. Cain the Sixth fatally stabs Flatfoot over a flirtation, as the rains commence and the animals begin boarding the ark.

Scene X sees the ark reaching dry land. Noah's family releases the animals and sows seeds, while God appears to celebrate the harmony of a renewed world, despite Gabriel's less enthusiastic demeanor.

Part II

Part II begins in God's office, where He expresses dismay at humanity's relentless sinfulness. Summoning Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God reveals His plans for Moses, a chosen descendant, who will guide His people to Canaan, the Promised Land.

In Scene II, God addresses Moses directly, unveiling his divine mission. Moses doubts his own senses until God ignites a bush and transforms a rod into a serpent.

Scene III transports us to Pharaoh's opulent throne room, where a magician amuses the court. Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, demanding liberation for their people. Pharaoh's refusal is met with divine retribution as gnats and flies plague the court. Pharaoh's deceitful promises persist until the lifeless form of his son breaks his resolve.

Scene IV follows Moses, Aaron, and their people as they traverse the desert for forty arduous years. At the brink of the river Jordan, an aged and ailing Moses appoints Joshua to lead the battle for Jericho. God grants Moses a vision of their triumph before leading him to Heaven.

In Scene V, Babylon echoes with the decadent chaos of a hedonistic party, reminiscent of a New...