11:1–12:7 Review · Final Charge: The book of Ecclesiastes climaxes in a lengthy section dominated by imperative verbs (11:1, 2, 6, 8–10; 12:1; “Remember” in 12:6 is added by the NIV for the sake of clarity).Here the author issues his final challenge to the reader, addressing three major topics, which Derek Kidner (96) succinctly summarizes as “Be bold!” (11:1–6), “Be joyful!” (11:7–10), and “Be godly!” (12:1–7). Several repeated words serve to link these three subunits: disaster/trouble(s) (11:2, 10; 12:1 [all the same Hebrew word]), clouds (11:3–4; 12:2), rain (11:3; 12:2), light (11:7; 12:2), darkness (11:8; 12:2), remember (11:8; 12:1).

11:1–6 · The first subunit addresses the question, how should one act when so much remains unknown or unknowable (11:2b, 5, 6b)? Some commentators tak…