Moses again relates the concept of freedom of choice to the Israelites. The Sages emphasize that although both paths are open before us, God guides us to follow the proper path. Perhaps it does not always appear pleasant and blessed, but in the long term, it is the preferred path.

“See, I put before you this day a blessing and a curse” (Deuteronomy 11:26). Because it is stated: “I have placed life and death before you, the blessing and the curse” (30:19), perhaps the Israelites will say: Since the Holy One, blessed be He, has placed before us two paths, the path of life and the path of death, we may choose whichever we want. To counter this, the verse states: “You shall choose life” (30:19).

This can be explained by means of a parable of one who was sitting at a crossroads, and there were two paths before him, one whose start is smooth and its end is thorny, and one whose start is thorny and its end is smooth. He would inform the passersby and say to them: Do you see this path whose start is smooth? For about two or three strides you will be walking on smooth land, but ultimately it will lead to thorns. And do you see that path whose start is thorny? For about two or three strides you will be walking among thorns, but ultimately it will lead to smooth land.

So Moses said to the Israelites: Do you see the wicked who succeed in this world? For about two or three days, i.e., a relatively short time, they succeed, but in the end they will proceed to the ultimate demise…. Do you see the righteous who suffer in this world? For two or three days they suffer, but in the end they will proceed to the ultimate joy….

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korha says: This can be explained by means of a parable of a king who prepared a feast and invited guests, and his friend was reclining among them. The king hinted to his friend to take a fine portion, but his friend lacked the understanding to decipher the hint…. When the king saw that he lacked understanding, he took his friend’s hand and placed it on a fine portion. [So too, God guides people and assists them in choosing the proper path.] (Sifrei Devarim, Re’eh 53)