Bless you Renewed.
I often find the answer comes, and the Spirit works through us, as it has done with you. Thank you.
Galatians 3
[FONT="]10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.12 And the law is not of faith (pistis):[/FONT]
Romans 3
[FONT="]3 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith (pistis) of God without effect?[/FONT]
Paul can only be talking about the Jews in Jesus' time, when faith came. In fact it is strange that pistis, apistia, apisteo, are all translated in terms of faith, and yet in verse 2, pisteuo is translated as pertaining to trust, and entrusting someone.
I do not understand why the translators have done this, as it seems to fly in the face of what Paul is saying.
Hence:
"because they were the first to believe in the words of God" seems the logical translation.
The law was not a "punishment". The law was a tutor, pointing to Christ.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Please see the link below for information on the duties of the Levites.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Levitical-priesthood.html